Making everyone more safe

You know what is scary?  People are hailing the cameras in Boston as heroes.  Sure I will too.  They helped solve the case.  And since we live in a kind and caring society with a benevolent government we don't have to worry about all those cameras.  After all, as long as you aren't breaking the law what have you got to worry about? 

I'm sure all of you reading this know that I'm being sarcastic.  After all, this is a site about us, a family who preps for whatever may come.  There's a lot to worry about having all the public cameras.  Sure, right now the government isn't coming after you.  That's what people thought just before WWII when millions got rounded up and hauled off to die just because they were the wrong...religion, color, mental condition... Remember?  Of course not.  That generation is coming into the twilight of their lives.  Most people don't remember and have a hard time believing that a government will round you up for no reason other than they don't trust you.  Our country did it to the Japanese.  We were at war with Japan so people of Japanese descent got uprooted and sent to live in camps.  Never mind that many were American citizens including some that had fought for our country in WWI! 

They aren't just government cameras.  They are in stores, schools, you name it, it's probably there.  How many people that you don't know can look at a camera and track your every move?  Between that and cell phones, new car technology, credit card tracking, ATM tracking, and you think you are living a private life?  Who is listening to your phone conversations, your email is being read, maybe even this blog? 

But don't you feel safe that your credit card company will call you or stop your card if they see a charge that isn't something that you normally use your card for?  Makes you feel safe and secure, doesn't it?  Or when you go to the grocery store?  It's great that you can buy in bulk at Costco or Sam's Club.  And they keep track of every single purchase you make.  Don't we care about privacy anymore?  In an age of twitter and facebook and even blogging where we let everyone know what we ate for breakfast and what color socks we are wearing today and why, do we just expect that our lives are a completely open book?  Are we just doing this to ourselves?

Most stores cameras don't keep the images for a long time.  Usually anywhere from a couple of days to a month, the video loops over itself and it's usually only checked when something goes wrong.  As far as you know... 

Do you now need to give your thumbprint when you cash checks at the bank if they don't know you?  Do you need to give your thumbprint when you get your drivers license?  The schools have the kids social security numbers, photos, and every bit of information about them.  Our local airport has retina recognition cameras.  With facial recognition, retina recognition, and all the computerized databases, we are all being processed into the computer system.  Every one of us. 

So what can we do about it?  Not much unless you don't go anywhere or you are always in some sort of disguise.  I'm not suggesting wigs, fake moles, scars, tattoos, or stuffing your cheeks with cotton - or am I?  Remember the old ScoobyDo cartoons where the bad guy was always wearing a mask and they'd capture him and pull his face off to show the reason person, and sometimes pull a second mask off too?  No I'm not suggesting that.  I'm just tired of being watched.  I don't want someone watching me pull my wedgie out when I think no one is watching.  Or scratch myself or whatever I think I'm doing in private. 

I stay away from most cities most of the time.  I'm still around cameras but not as many.  I'm still easily tracked.  After all, I have a car, a cell phone, a computer, and kids.  How can I stay private?

A couple of weeks ago I decided I was going to finally splurge and buy the security screen doors for some of the doors at the house.  It's not the best security doors they make, those run about $1000 each for the bottom of the best.  Mine were a couple hundred each.  They aren't the cheap screen doors but have a metal mesh with thick bars made into a nice design.  Will they stop the bad guys?  No, but if someone is thinking about breaking into my house or either neighbor on each side their houses look much easier to break into.  There's a deadbolt on the security door and a deadbolt on the house door.  Since most of the house doors have windows on the doors this will bring me a little more peace of mind.  If I keep the house doors open in good weather but the security doors locked it will still provide plenty of protection.  You can see people coming up to the door but they can't see in during the day until they are about 2" away from the door. 

Daughter and Son-in-law came over to help install the doors.  We got two of the three up today.  They got tired and went home.  I don't know if I'll get the last one up tomorrow or if it will have to wait until next weekend.  Do I feel more safe and secure here at home?  Yes.  As long as I don't leave the property.  Oh by the way, you come to my property, you too will be on camera.  More than one.  Smile!