Noting gun battles at the border Perry provides border security plan

DallasBlog.com | Scott Bennett:

“With voluntary participation of private landowners, Texas will use $5 million to begin placing hundreds of surveillance cameras along criminal hotspots and common routes used to enter this country. ... ‘We will post this video on the Internet – in real time – so that concerned Americans can help protect our nation through online neighborhood watch programs.’ ”

Ed Cognoski responds:

Americans are being "frog boiled" with regard to video surveillance. Frog boiling refers to the folk wisdom that the way to cook a live frog is to put it in a pot of cold water and slowly raise the temperature, because putting a frog in already hot water will only cause it to reflexively jump out.

Americans were first introduced to video surveillance in stores, to prevent shoplifting in department stores and robberies in convenience stores. Reactions were negative at first, but the practice is now universal and universally accepted. Come on in, the water's fine!

The controversy today has moved to law enforcement using surveillance cameras on public streets, to prevent red-light running, car break-ins and muggings. With government involved, the controversy is being played out in legislatures, in courts, in elections. Despite initial vociferous opposition, the cameras are slowing gaining currency. The temperature's rising!

Governor Perry's plan increases the heat a little more. Now, government is proposing to enlist private citizens to monitor these webcams as part of a law enforcement effort. Whereas, in the past, private citizens might sit at home listening to the police band radio just for entertainment, they can now be a part of law enforcement. Don't think this will be restricted to border patrol in remote areas. Eventually, we'll have cameras in more heavily populated areas. Imagine cameras placed outside bars, where citizens around the country can watch patrons stagger out at closing time, maybe zooming in on their cars' license plates, then calling 911 to report possible drunken driving. Or how about cameras on the street outside strip clubs and adult bookstores, so upholders of common decency can monitor from the comfort of their own homes who frequents such places? Boiled alive and liking it!