It’s been over a decade since September 11th and yet we continue to erode our own freedoms. Our large corporations are openly hostile toward American citizens. The police state’s unfettered power runs roughshod over the Constitution. Is there anyone who doubts that Osama succeeded beyond his wildest dreams? He launched the first attack but we ourselves are responsible for continuing this relentless dismantling of the American way of life.

— Ars Technica commenter thedukeness on the erosion of civil liberties that has taken place under George W. Bush and Barack Obama.