Poll: Do we need to know?

[Gilhelmi]

I am watching a show about what the US would do in an emergency on NatGeo. They are talking about bunkers that Congress or the President would go to in case of an attack. They speak as though America has the right to know.

I say no we do not have that right. Why do I need to know where Congress is after the sh*t hits the fan? Also, now the enemy knows where our leadership is too make it easier to kill Congress. I do not want anyone, other then Congress themselfs, to know where they are. I at least want some of my government to survive if someone decides to Nuke the US.

I know the odds are slim but not zero. I just do not want anyone to know where our government is during a full scale war.

Edit: poll failed.

 

[Kermi]

It's okay, lots of people think this way. That is why misinformation is a key tool in National Security.

If you think the public knows where Congress/Presidents go during an emergency before it happens, you are just believing lies to keep them all safe.

Exactly - and that's what's important. We don't don't need to know where the leaders of the country are in an emergency, just that they're safe, and we can still hopefully depend on their leadership.

But people are suspicious - you can't just say "everything's gonna be ok". you have to arm a person with information, regardless of how factual it actually is, so they can come to that conclusion for themselves.

Tell them the White house can never be bombed because it has it's own deflector shield and laser defense system. Tell them that national security is locked up tighter than a duck's asshole so terrorists can't get their secrets. Make sure they know there's all kinds of secrets that will absolutely secure the safety of the nation and it's people.

 

[Stalk3rchief]

Honestly if we get nuked it means they didn't do their jobs, which they don't do anyways. Besides, play a fallout game and you'll realize that they'd just turn into the Enclave and kill everyone. =P

 

[Gilhelmi]

It's okay, lots of people think this way. That is why misinformation is a key tool in National Security.

If you think the public knows where Congress/Presidents go during an emergency before it happens, you are just believing lies to keep them all safe.

The thing is that was not what they were showing, they showed where they used to go. Some reporter thought our 'right to know' was more important then security. I know where the President will be (on Air Force One some place in the US) but we will just be spending tons of money on bunkers for the Congress that will go unused in an emergency because some idiot reporter wanted a scoop.

 

[Gilhelmi]

Freedom of information.

You don't have to like it, but you have to love it.

No, I do not. That thinking gets my brothers and sisters (and untold civilians) killed. "This is where the US forces will be, their strength, their weaknesses. Lets hope the enemy does not attack the weakness we just told everyone about."

 

[Gilhelmi]

Freedom of information.

You don't have to like it, but you have to love it.

No, I do not. That thinking gets my brothers and sisters (and untold civilians) killed. "This is where the US forces will be, their strength, their weaknesses. Lets hope the enemy does not attack the weakness we just told everyone about."

Okay. We shall agree to disagree.

OK, I can agree to that.

 

[Free Thinker]

Congressman: We don't use that old piece of crap anymore. We have a much nicer bunker now. Gold-encrusted toilets, finest-leather chairs, soda machines, 5 star chefs, heating, satellite HD TV, open bar, the finest imported hookers, a spa, and of course, an indoor golf course.
Drunk Congressman: BUNKER PARTY IN HAWAII!
Congressman: *facepalm* Dammit!

 

[bassdrum]

Freedom of information.

You don't have to like it, but you have to love it.

No, I do not. That thinking gets my brothers and sisters (and untold civilians) killed. "This is where the US forces will be, their strength, their weaknesses. Lets hope the enemy does not attack the weakness we just told everyone about."

I think that it depends on context--if it's sensitive information like troop movements, it's probably a good idea to not advertise it. If, however, it's a reassurance that the country's political leadership won't all die in flames and leave the country without direction, then it's probably reasonable to let people know.

The hard part, though, is figuring out what counts as information worth withholding from the public: keeping too much information from the public is a factor of almost every dystopian government.

 

[Yureina]

The thing about those documentaries... is that they are talking about the secret bases that have been exposed or are well-known. There are certainly others that the public and rest of the world know nothing about. Even the ones that are known... some of those were built to withstand nuclear attack, so an enemy still is not very likely to be able to eliminate those places unless they get lucky.

This isn't really important stuff to keep classified anyway.

 

[Gilhelmi]

Freedom of information.

You don't have to like it, but you have to love it.

No, I do not. That thinking gets my brothers and sisters (and untold civilians) killed. "This is where the US forces will be, their strength, their weaknesses. Lets hope the enemy does not attack the weakness we just told everyone about."

I think that it depends on context--if it's sensitive information like troop movements, it's probably a good idea to not advertise it. If, however, it's a reassurance that the country's political leadership won't all die in flames and leave the country without direction, then it's probably reasonable to let people know.

The hard part, though, is figuring out what counts as information worth withholding from the public: keeping too much information from the public is a factor of almost every dystopian government.

This is true, I do like the reassurance. I do not like knowing the exact latitude and longitude of the location. I also want open debate on all non-security matters (like health care, education, and banking reform). But I want some secrete programs like Area 51 (where the next-gen aircraft are tested), even that comes with the problems of not getting the scientist help when they were exposed to hazardous toxic-waste

I just wish there was an easy way to find middle ground.