Reading some of the posts and comments over at Metroblogging London gets me thinking about the differences between England and America. We come from them (in fact, on particularly thorny, rare legal issues, we still look to old British common law); they’re still our strongest ally - the one we expect to side with us come what may . . . but there are, of course, differences - subtle and significant - between our countries.

We had 9/11 and lost over 3000 - they had the recent subway bombings and lost less than 100. Of course, they’ve also dealt with decades of IRA car bombs, the Blitz in WWII, and general proximity to More Danger From Other Countries than we’ve had.

As you might’ve noticed lately, they also have a fairly extensive camera system in London, without which it seems doubtful we’d know the identities of the bombers. And - this just floored me - their cops don’t carry guns. To which I said “what makes people listen to them then?”

That is, perhaps, a sad statement on the American psyche.

Clearly, of course, a few carry guns, as one unfortunately sprinting electrician learned.

Here in America, however, there’s a lot of resistance to the idea of increased public surveillance. For instance, over at Blogging.la, there’s been a lot of posting over cameras in Hollywood. But why? If you’re in public, you could be seen by another person, right? So what if that person is seeing you through a camera lens, instead of in person? And is it better to be watched on a camera or would you rather be subjected to random searches on the New York Subway (or BART)?

Frankly, the chances of randomly catching the bomb carrying crazy are probably a lot smaller than the chances of identifying and tracking the conspirators of someone caught on tape. So which invades you privacy less? And which protects you more?

How about it, San Francisco? We’re certainly a civil liberties focused peninsula out here on the foggy edge of individual rights. What would make you feel safer and what would make you feel violated?

I wonder how New Yorkers feel? Let’s ask them and see what they say, too . . . .

Updates: Blogging.la asks the same of Angelenos

Related posts:

1. Guns for Guns… AND ROSES!
2. The American Dream Continued
3. The Dream - As Dreamt By A Blogger’s Dad
4. Freedom of Expression
5. Keep Guns in, rightwingers out…