Less Privacy is Good for Us (and You) # 2

The issue of Privacy in this country is very complex. There are many different factions fighting for there views to be heard. In Amitai Etzioni's article, "Less Privacy is Good for Us (and You)" the many facets of the privacy issue are discussed.

One of the situations which Etzioni described is the HIV testing of mothers in the delivery room. If mothers allowed for them to be tested for HIV in the delivery room their children would have a better chance of not receiving the disease themselves. Many groups fight this incentive saying that it violates the mother's privacy. The question is are we willing to sacrifice the privacy of mothers to save their babies?

Another example that Etzioni provided was the use of facial recognition technology to cash checks at ATMs and such. The use of these so called biometrics would greatly reduce the amount of identity theft, rouge criminals, divorcés running from child support payments and much more. Although this has many benefits to society, it would also eliminate the possibility of moving somewhere and trying to start a new life there. Once again the issue of privacy conflicts with the common good.

Privacy is complex because the issue of when, where, and how it should be implicated is controversial. It is agreed that things such as listening in on phone calls, going through someone's email without permission, and cameras in bathroom stalls is a violation of privacy. But when it comes to situations such as the ones above, we begin to skate on the line of whether its right or wrong. That is why the privacy issues are so complex and that is why we need to examine them further.

Immokalee

Immokalee is a wonderful community full of rich culture and history. It started out as a Seminole village and morphed into a cattle ranching and farming community. Railroads were built and logging took over the industry. The surrounding swamps were drained, making way for more agricultural and job opportunities. Pioneer settlers, Mexican workers and Seminole residents came to live there. Oil was found nearby creating a completely new arena for work and profit in the community. Now, Immokalee has a flourishing casino and university that help bring new prosperity and growth to the town. As was said in the WGCU videos Untold Stories: Immokalee Part I and II, "The only constant in Immokalee is change," and that's exactly what it's past and future embody.

I live in Naples, Florida. Naples and Immokalee differ in many ways. Naples is known as a rich town. It is very expensive and highly developed. Our main source of revenue is tourism. Although there is some cultural diversity, a large portion of our population is composed of older Caucasian residents. Immokalee is a poorer community compared to Naples. Their revenue comes from tourism, agriculture and their casino industry. Their community is more ethnically diverse with a greater population of Hispanics, mostly Mexican, Seminoles and much more. Although these two communities are very different, they both are special and influential in their own right.

The American Dream is the freedom for people to choose what they want to do with their life and be able to find their own “pursuit of happiness”. I think that Immokalee is an example of this phenomenon. The individuals in the community are allowed to follow their own dreams and find happiness for themselves. This allowed the community to be prosperous, diverse and successful in many different arenas. Immokalee is a great example of the American Dream at work.

Immokalee is a growing and evolving place. Many new industries have recently developed there. There is a new and very successful casino in the community run by the Seminoles. The new Ave Maria University is also helping the community grow. There is also the airport in Immokalee that is helping the community evolve. The ever present agricultural industry continues to benefit the community. All of these industries will be a driving force in the future of Immokalee.

The town of Immokalee is ever growing, changing and moving in new and more positive directions. In ten years, I see the community of Immokalee achieving prosperity and growth. Their education will have improved and everyone will be given better chances at achieving their goals. The previously mentioned industries will be flourishing and bringing wealth and opportunity to the community. Immokalee will be thriving and be very influential. The future of Immokalee looks very bright and I can't wait to see its continuing growth.