I just read on Danah's blog about the Justice Department targeting User Generated Content websites…
This is serious stuff – there is a very delicate balance here. We are entering different times – but the ideas of peace, freedom, security, privacy and knowledge are constants. Once the line is crossed, it becomes easy to justify other reasons why to violate those ideals, and that is dangerous.
“The Bush administration has accelerated its Internet surveillance push by proposing that Web sites must keep records of who uploads photographs or videos in case police determine the content is illegal and choose to investigate.” — Declan McCullagh, CNET News.
The end doesn't justify the means – it is of great importance that we keep that in mind.