This has really changed so much because of the internet. We have so much access now to information and to freedom of speech, BUT, now, situations are occurring to curb the free flow of information and ideas. Sampling a speech by someone on a network is deemed to be a breech of copyright, when it SHOULD be deems public domain. It is criminal. On the other hand, I get that the torrent sharing and streaming of copyrighted materials need to be controlled in some way….. I know it gets out of hand. I would watch ads if it meant I could get TV shows otherwise not aired in my region of the world.
As a traveller, my privacy has been completely violated. TSA can go suck on a garbage can. They are trying to fool themselves that by taking away baby milk (which they did to me….) is going to make the average citizen feel safer in the US is absolute bullshit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHFhHa2ZbsA&feature=related
Note: It takes a Brit National to make the point that Americans need to take note of.