Not first time for privacy infringing

For once, the federal government is being criticized for being too efficient and cost-effective.
Since 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency has been conducting flyovers of Iowa and Nebraska livestock operations in order to make sure they are complying with the Clean Water Act.

If they see something they suspect is in violation, an on-site inspection takes place.

Surveillance flights have resulted in 25 administrative compliance orders, eight administrative penalty orders and six letters of warning.

While the EPA cites its obvious benefits such as being able to inspect more operations in less time for less money, and getting a better view than just what they can see from the road, the program is being criticized by several Iowa and Nebraska lawmakers, including Congressman Tom Latham.  

At the bequest of several farmers, lawmakers are trying to stop the flyovers, claiming they are a violation of the farmers’ privacy. To that end, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) has included an amendment to the farm bill banning the flights.

I can’t recall the last time I saw a more blatantly obvious example of political grandstanding to a group of voters than this.

It’s disgusting.

When it comes to public places/businesses, there is no such thing as privacy. Whether its in-store security systems, traffic cameras or helicopters equipped with radar detectors, we are being watched seemingly at all times by Big Brother.

And the government’s peering eyes certainly don’t close when you enter the solitude of your own home.

If you live on an acreage, try growing some marijuana in your backyard. Even if it’s surrounded by a fence and can’t be seen from the road and is completely isolated, you will still be visited by men with guns and handcuffs. Why? Because law enforcement officers, from the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, to your local sheriff’s department have been trained to spot marijuana from where? The sky, where they do random flyovers to make sure property owners are following the law in regards to their agriculture operations.

So I’m assuming Congressman Latham will be advocating for the end of that surveillance program as well, right?

Of course not; marijuana farmers don’t have the lobbying influence of the Farm Bureau. And while urban law enforcement use infared technology in flyovers to spot indoor marijuana farms, everyone of us is susceptible to the federal governments most intrusive weapon: The Patriot Act.

You remember the Patriot Act, passed in 2001. It was that document we had to pass to protect ourselves from the terrorist, who took the Bill of Rights and flushed it down the toilet, allowing such things as warrantless phone taps and subpoeanas.

That one piece of legislation destroyed more American freedoms and inherit rights to privacy than any terrorist or enemy soldier (or EPA policy for that matter) ever has. But we were told it was a different world we lived in because of the 9-11 attacks, so we accepted it as a necessary evil.

I find it extremely ironic Latham, in a letter to the EPA, stated “after all, I am certain that you would agree with me that no federal agency has the right to treat the American farmer like the Taliban,” citing erroneous reports of drone-manned flights being used.

I recognize that statement, as well as other criticisms from every other (even the Democrats) federal politician from Iowa and Nebraska for what it is: an insincere dog and pony show for their farming electorate.

But Latham may want to open his eyes to the 21st century America. We are all treated like the Taliban thanks to the Patriot Act.

And the American farmer is no exception.

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at publisher@redoakexpress.com.