>This seems a rather inappropriate aphorism, since most people here would very much like to deny the NSA access to information about their phone usage. This is an argument against censorship rather than one in support of privacy.
I have no idea how you interpreted it that way. The quote is in reference to the government. It's from a video game, which came out in 1999.
I'm perfectly aware of where it comes from, and I interpreted it according to the normal rules of English grammar. Just because it's against the spirit of totalitarian government doesn't alter the meaning of the words. After all, the NSA is not denying you information when it collects records of your phone conversations. It's doing so when it denies engaging inthis practice, but if the NSA (or those delegated to oversee it) were to say 'sure, we totally collect that data!' I doubt you'd be OK with it.
It's impossible to have a meaningful conversation if you intentionally view anyone else's opinions in the worst possible light. You may have a valid interpretation of what I said, but it's clearly not the interpretation I intended to convey.
You cited an irrelevant quote and are invoking the principle of charity to demand that anigbrowl give it a pass. It would be easier if you just admitted that the quote is about censorship and not privacy and move on. You're weakening your rhetorical position by defending something that's obviously wrong, and not central to your point.
It's like you think comments are some sort of game where you can win or lose. I think I'll just let readers read my comments and opt out of this silly game you want to play.
I have no idea how you interpreted it that way. The quote is in reference to the government. It's from a video game, which came out in 1999.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY57ErBkFFE