"Facts are stubborn things . . . "

This phrase is used as the title of an article written by the White House Director of new media, Macon Phillips on The Blog at www.whitehouse.gov, written Tuesday August 4, 2009 with the apparent purpose of dispelling "disinformation" regarding current efforts toward health insurance reform.

The quote used as the opening title is from the second president of the United States, John Adams the full text of which is, "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

It is indeed a wonderful quote, however, I wish to share with you another one attributed to John Adams.

"When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking, or thinking, I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more."

In the article found at The Blog on the White House's web-page something a bit more sinister appears, a request for American citizens to email the White House if they see or hear anything "fishy" in regards to opinions related to health insurance reform.

Quote:

"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

That's right folks, a dedicated White House email address specifically earmarked for you to send reports about your neighbor's political opinions, especially if they are "fishy." This request is in opposition to free speech. It puts the fear of undue governmental influence on those who would speak out, limiting those who would feel free to exercise their right to speak.

It is so beyond unethical it is nothing more than a most reprehensible example of governmental corruption.

I cannot even begin to express the level of disgust I am feeling as I write this post out. The White House openly asking for information on their dissenters, the thought is hugely frightening.

Now, the White House will tell you that its not collecting any names, not creating any databases. I just don't know if I trust my government that much. Nor should you. The technology is there to track all sorts of statistical information about you and me simply by using an easily accessible IP address from which an email is sent or a blog is written. This is in clear violation of current law!

According to The Privacy Act of 1974 5 U.S.C. § 552a, United States agencies, including the Executive Office of the President shall, "maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity."

Reporting the political views and opinions of your neighbors to your government, talk about "Big Brother". Yeah. I hope that someone does send a link of this blog to the White House. I will certainly be having quite a lot to say about the current proposals for health insurance reform and Obama's policies, and much more in the very near future. I hope that our President sees it.

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention. America is the greatest nation on the planet, help us keep it that way; join the new American Revolution. Speak out, send in your tea bags, write to your representatives, if you remain complacent the America we love and for which many have fought and died will be lost.

In closing I leave you with one more quote of John Adams, written in a letter to H. Niles, February 13, 1818.

What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.