That quote is completely out of context but is typically used in these arguments by people who are ignorant of Franklin’s context.

The words appear originally in a 1755 letter that Franklin is presumed to have written on behalf of the Pennsylvania Assembly to the colonial governor during the French and Indian War. The letter was a salvo in a power struggle between the governor and the Assembly over funding for security on the frontier, one in which the Assembly wished to tax the lands of the Penn family, which ruled Pennsylvania from afar, to raise money for defense against French and Indian attacks. The governor kept vetoing the Assembly’s efforts at the behest of the family, which had appointed him. So to start matters, Franklin was writing not as a subject being asked to cede his liberty to government, but in his capacity as a legislator being asked to renounce his power to tax lands notionally under his jurisdiction. In other words, the “essential liberty” to which Franklin referred was thus not what we would think of today as civil liberties but, rather, the right of self-governance of a legislature in the interests of collective security.

https://www.lawfareblog.com/what-ben-franklin-really-said

The original context of this quote does not invalidate its relevance to literally the situation today, as historians have pointed out.

Regardless, you've made it clear you're more than happy to have no one watch the watchers, to trust but not verify, as the original article was about the refusal of the police to make footage available.

But I understand your psychological need to focus on the origin of the quote to distract from the obvious point. You're a "good German," JustWondering.

I don’t understand how you could reach that conclusion. My third paragragh CLEARLY STATED the needs for rules, accountability and Trust BUT verify. See below...

“So get legislation written and passed that requires rules and audits by independent parties. Hold the operators accountable for transgressions over the rights spelled out in our Constitution. The goal for all of us should be safe and crime free lives. But as was once spelled out by a former U.S. President, “Trust, but verify.” It applies to our government, at all levels, too.”

I also take great offense at your comment of being “a good German”. While I understand you being unable to defend your out-of-context use of Franklin’s words, equating me or my thoughts to a despicable time in human history is utterly offensive and beyond the pale. You known nothing about me or my past.

Besides this response to your foul words, I plan on contacting the Reader’s Moderator. Behavior such as yours should be banned.

You also wrote, "If it was obvious video surveillance was present, how many people would make a choice and not commit a criminal act in the first place?" That and your other comments show you miss the point entirely, or don't care about its importance.

Authoritarian governments, such as ours is becoming, extend criminality to identities and beliefs, not just actions. One need only see how the current administration is redefining lawful immigrants as "illegals" and seeking to expand the definition of libel to cover legitimate criticism to see that your position offers no defense against such tactics, only encouragement. Why else haven't you condemned what I pointed out, that Border Patrol is already monitoring and harassing journalists and activists using the technology under discussion?

In sum, your willingness to report me for no other reason than that the truth of your complicity stings, simply admits that your arguments are anti-democratic and cannot stand on their own.

You really have a skewed view of the world and our Goverment. Try taking off the tin foil and getting out of the basement from time to time. The fresh air may do you some good. The tired liberal mantra...it’s our way and only our way. Anyone who does not see our way is to be attacked.

Under Saul Alinski’s Rules for Radicals: "Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have." "Never go outside the expertise of your people." "Whenever possible go outside the expertise of the enemy." "Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules." "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon." "A good tactic is one your people enjoy." "A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag." "Keep the pressure on." "The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself." "The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition." "If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside." "The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative." "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it."

Let's go over the facts:

You said, "So get legislation written and passed that requires rules and audits by independent parties. Hold the operators accountable for transgressions over the rights spelled out in our Constitution." This article makes clear that "officials have declined a January public records act request seeking details." That's legislation already on the books, not being followed. What good would more laws broken without consequence do?

You said, "[I] really have a skewed view of the world and our Government," for pointing out that this technology is already being used against free citizens per their "rights spelled out in our Constitution." That's not skewed: it's true. And pivoting to call me a "liberal" and a "radical" for upholding bedrock Constitutional protections is...defending order over freedom. Thus the appropriateness of the historical epithet to which you take such offense.

I've never read Saul Alinsky, though it seems those quotes apply more to you than they do me. But you remind me of a poem by a great American:

bellowing through the general noise Where is Effie who was dead? —to God in a tiny voice, i am may the first crumb said

whereupon its fellow five crumbs chuckled as if they were alive and number two took up the song, might i'm called and did no wrong

cried the third crumb, i am should and this is my little sister could with our big brother who is would don't punish us for we were good;

and the last crumb with some shame whispered unto God, my name is must and with the others i've been Effie who isn't alive

Is it true Cassander too has a gingerbread head

I don’t know, but if you disagree be on guard for the next response in the thread

With a state of thought many others do dread

Cassander logic has no cred.