I remember one time during my teenage years (a few years ago) I took a date to the local swimming pool after hours. The adjacent dressing rooms had a convenient little peephole in the wall. (Formed by imperfections in the construction of course) After I undressed and put on my bathing trunks, I started to look into this tiny little opening only to see an eye looking at me! Think of all types of cameras as eyes, not for viewing by individuals but by hundreds, if not thousands. Who can tell how many actually look at and maybe copy these images, and for what purpose? The possibilities are infinite.

Consider; each and every time you visit a convenience store, fill your gas tank, etc., smile, you’re on camera! How about trips to your favorite discount store? Remember, cameras are not only following every move you make and watching the check-out registers, they also peek when you’re trying on clothes. How disgusting!! Ever wonder why you must stand between the ropes at banks and movie theaters? It’s to make sure they get a clear mug shot. Cameras are always there. Before long they will be placed at every street corner and rooftops all over the country.

I read in some magazine about the development of an instrument that can see through walls into our homes! Would you like to be known as Mr. or Mrs. So-and-so who sleeps in the nude, snores loud enough to wake the dead and needs their toe-nails clipped? It could happen. Film at eleven. How many “boys in blue”, members of the FBI, ATF or other government agencies are cruising your neighborhood right now using this “special” camera? Where will all this technology lead? Just the other day I heard a rumor that city officials plan to place cameras and moisture detectors on fire hydrants so they could track wayward dogs in order to fine the animals owners. They get by with everything else, why not this too? I’m sure everyone will applaud this action.

Remember the good old days when after dark you could visit the back yard and “water the grass”? Forget it! That satellite eye in the sky is watching. I don’t watch much TV anymore. I’m afraid it’s looking back. However, I would like you to know cameras have actually been a boon to the car washing industry. Who wants to be caught on camera running a red light or being chased by a police car if you’re in a dirty scrungy vehicle? Before long there will probably be a whole new government agency created just to watch everyone 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. I think I’ll send in my application. Government jobs always pay good! Whether they’re needed or not!

If all the sneaky things listed above are not bad enough, how about those good old computers? Trips to your doctor, dentist, the pharmacy and insurance company are all recorded. And don’t forget all credit card purchases, hotel, motel, airline and other travel expenses will be listed somewhere. Actually there is a record of virtually everything you have done or will do including financial, social security, census, all taxes, etc., available to everyone with a computer and the knowledge to gain access to these records. Your identity and records are never kept private! Others may even add false information to your data base. Criminals can assume your identity and practically destroy your life by using information available in cyber-space. Government agencies can and will use this information to suit whatever agenda they have at the moment.

We are being watched, told what to think, what to say and what we can and cannot do. This is happening now! If this isn’t enough, you ain’t seen nothin’yet! I remember freedoms we used to have-----and wonder how many more we will lose.

Gene Mays

5/27/2001