Liberty Minute December 9 2013

The image of a predatory creature menacing the globe is a standard feature in both spy fiction ? such as the James Bond novels and films ? and political propaganda. James Bond did battle with a sinister global syndicate called SPECTRE, whose logo was an Octopus, which symbolized the extent of its reach and the diversity of its operations. Many lurid political exposes  have used a similar icon, depicting the enemy as an octopus enveloping the globe in its tentacles.

There is no sense in which that symbol could be considered benign or noble. Thus it is significant that the Office of National Intelligence ? which coordinates both foreign espionage and domestic surveillance operations ? used that familiar image of an octopus devouring the globe as the official mission patch for its December 5 launch of a spy satellite. More ominous still is the motto of that mission: ?Nothing is beyond our reach.?

Karen Furgerson of the National Reconnaissance Office said the symbol and motto demonstrate that ?enemies of the United States can be reached no matter where they choose to hide.? A proper understanding of the significance of that statement is found in the fact that most government surveillance programs target the American public.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.