Georgia Abandons MATRIX

Irvu writes "According to The Register Georgia has pulled out of the Justice Department's Multi-State Terrorism Information Exchange project (aka "Florida's TIA"). This project has been covered on (Slashdot and on Google News). The story has a choice quote from the Governor of Georgia on his withdrawal from the program: 'The criminal, prison, and sexual predator information previously submitted will remain part of the database. This information is relevant to the crime fighting purpose of the pilot project, but personal information of law-abiding citizens is not.'"

Someone finally wised up...

[Pooquey]

Nice to see someone in government finally waking up to the fact that the anti-terrorism bandwagon is not the one to jump on. Double bonus for actually doing something about it. Our legislature needs to take some time to reason things out and actually LISTEN to its constituates before writing bold laws to fight terrorism. What's out there now is just not working.

Georgia Abandons MATRIX?

[dimator]

Ya, the last one sucked, but I doubt the entire state is going to boycott Revolutions... that's just not possible.

Here that, we got the good old boys on our side!

[linzeal]

They will never take Zion from the hands of hicks.

I am not a law abiding citizen

[Anonymous Coward]

I like to smoke a bowl sometimes in the afternoon. I am sick of being lumped in with terrorists and rapists in this "non-law abiding, non rights deserving" group of people. That is all.

Re:I am not a law abiding citizen

[uberdood]

George? George! I didn't know you had a /. account!

Fess up....

[Sylver Dragon]

Alright, what slashdotter went and beat the Georga Governer with the clue stick?
Seriously through, I am glad to see some politician, hell any politician, questioning the stupidity in the relentless pursit of "terrorism". I realize that there are a lot of people in this world who hate the US, and would love to kill its citizens; but, get real, this is no excuse to be intruding into the private lives of the very citizens the govenment is supposed to be protecting. Some days I really wonder what it would take to get a law passed (even if just in my state) that bars the government from collecting and keeping, or even borrowing, data on citizens that have not broken the law. Basically, if I haven't done anything wrong, why the hell are you tracking me? Personally, I fear an orwellian future far more than I fear terrorists.

Re:Fess up....

[wolf-]

As a Georgia resident, was good to see that politicians can make proper and correct decisions.

We all break the law

[yerricde]

I really wonder what it would take to get a law passed (even if just in my state) that bars the government from collecting and keeping, or even borrowing, data on citizens that have not broken the law.

It would never be applicable. Have you ever jaywalked? Have you ever exceeded a posted speed limit in a motor vehicle?

Re:We all break the law

[Travoltus]

Isn't there an old Soviet quote similar to "there's a line in the book for everyone"?

Not the Governor...

[shrubsky]

Although the order did come from Gov. Sonny Perdue, the decision originated from the Attorney General Thurbert Baker. It seems he was the one in the Governor's office that reviewed the books and decided MATRIX was illegal. Of course, that makes sense what with him being the attorney and all.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1003/22ma tr ix.html

Nice to see something go right in my home state. :)

Way to Go

[coolmacdude]

As a resident of Atlanta, I applaud this decision. Although I have not had the greatest confidence in Gov. Purdue I think things like these are one of the main reasons why voters in this state wanted a change from the rather complacent and SI saturated govt. we've had for many years. Also, I think it will wake up the feds a little to the fact that the people have a choice, when they have entire state govts. defying their TIAesque programs.