An author named George Orwell wrote a novel published back in 1949. The name of the novel was “1984.” He wrote about how society and government might have been 35 years into his future, hence the name of his book. Many of you are too young to have it on your required reading list in high school, or even college. Maybe it was, but I doubt it.
In fact, Orwell’s “1984” is considered one of the most frequently banned books in American history because it projected a future of oppressive government (called Big Brother) and censorship. If you have never read it, I strongly suggest you do so. You may, or may not, see similarities between some of the last 20 years in American governmental policy. The book even spawned an adjective term: “Orwellian.” This is defined as something reminiscent of the oppressive, totalitarian society depicted in the novel, characterized by constant surveillance, manipulation of language, and control over people’s thoughts and lives. If you recognize any facets of this, then you have your eyes wide open. Not to be confused with “woke.”
TeleScreens
In the futuristic novel were devices called “telescreens.” They were present in every room of every home and on every corner of every street. They transmitted and received information, allowing “Big Brother” to monitor citizen’s actions and thoughts and represented a constant surveillance.
Crazy futuristic fiction, never could happen in a country as free as America, right?
Oh, the places we could go from here. The flights of fancy into devices gathering info on our every thought, movement, action, etc… That doesn’t happen today, does it? Pure fiction and to profess or believe so is conspiracy theory lunacy.
Poppycock as they say in Britain.
If the equivalent of “telescreens” were real, then Facebook would post ads for items you recently searched for on Google. If “telescreens” were real, social media would suggest restaurants of the same genre as those you recently visited like Italian, pizza or Chinese. If “telescreens” were real, your friend suggestions would be people or their friends you were recently near either professionally or socially. Your Facebook “tags” would show recent places you visited.
The fact none of these things happen to us prove there is no modern version of “telescreens,” right? Oh wait, these things do happen, everyday.
School Zone Cameras
But that is not where I want to focus today. I want to focus on Georgia HB 225. A bill to ban school zone cameras. More specifically, let’s talk about “Big Brother” and school zone cameras. Right now, in the CSRA, they are only present in Burke County and Wrens. But you can bet your hat and arse, if uncontested and successful in either locales, they may be coming to a school zone near you.
Sure they do some good. You gotta ask who they do the most good for.
These cameras monitor speed in school zones, and when speed limits are exceeded, they send automated mailings spelling out the fine and process for paying. I admit to never receiving one, so only offer anecdotal description. That has to be a deterrent to people speeding in school zones while kids are present, and that is a good thing.
But I hear that the school time speeds are enforce via camera when school is not in session, as well as during times for start and release of children, even occurring on weekends. Again, third party info, and I welcome fact-based rebuttal.
To compound the off days and out of hours activity, this surveillance is installed, monitored and administered by a third party commercial business. That company, Altumint, has pocketed $192,247 of $768,990 since July 2024 in Burke County alone. Credit to The True Citizen and TheGeorgiaVirtue.com writer Jessica Szilagyl for their research. There is further discussion as to the legality of the approval of installing these cameras, but follow the money.
Again, I understand this paper is not Burke County- or Wrens-based, but if you think such a revenue stream becoming successful in an adjacent county will not be considered or migrate to Richmond County…you are being foolish.
To quote Barney Fife, “Nip It. Nip it in the bud”
What about flock cameras?
In a slight twist of the story is a concoction called “flock cameras.” I struggle with this application. I weigh the good versus Augustan’s loss of freedom. Already authorized in Richmond County with the first installed in March of 2020, they are mounted cameras roadside or on LEO cars which are license plate readers.
I honestly straddle the fence on these devices, but my gut leans against government surveillance through any device. This intrusion into privacy, when combined with cell phone tower “pings,” can prove in court a person’s whereabouts at anytime of any day.
FISA
Never mind an obscure congressional act passed in 1978 (ironically six years before 1984) allowing surveillance of electronic communications and Section 702 thereof allowing assessment of national security needs with Americans privacy and civil liberties. FISA warrants allowed the FBI to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. You know, Russia, Russia, Russia…
Freedom and Liberty are fragile
Gov. Ronald Reagan said in his 1967 inaugural speech, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance, it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.”
I do recall Benjamin Franklin once said: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” That quote often comes up in the context of new technology and concerns about government surveillance. Government creep in the erosion of security is the equivalent of the slowly boiled frog.
In essence, Americans and Augustan’s expectation to freely move about without being surveilled is being gradually eroded. The streets have eyes with the potential to monitor your and my every movement through these devices, apps, cameras, cell phones and even credit and debit purchases.
Georgia House Bill 225 is a good start at pushing back against government surveillance and oppression of citizens.
Stay outta my bidness, Big Brother.
