The English Blog: Cartoon: Uncle Sam Knows What You Want For Christmas

The English Blog: Cartoon: Uncle Sam Knows What You Want For Christmas

Cartoon: Uncle Sam Knows What You Want For Christmas

© Chappatte in NZZ am Sonntag, Zurich

BACKGROUNDMost people would object to the government searching their homes without a warrant. If you were told that that while you are at work, the government is coming into your home every day and searching it without cause, you might be unsettled. You might even think it a violation of your rights specifically, and the bill of rights generally. But what if the government, in its defence, said: "First of all, we're searching everyone's home, so you're not being singled out. Second, we don't connect your address to your name, so don't worry about it. All we're doing is searching every home in the United States, every day, without exception, and if we find something noteworthy, we'll let you know." This is the essence of the NSA's domestic spying programme. They are collecting records of every call made in the US, and every call made from the US to recipients abroad. Any number of government agencies can access this data – about who you have called any day, any week, any year. And this information is being kept indefinitely. Read more >>

THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Chappatte from NZZ am Sonntag, Zurich depicts Uncle Sam as an NSA spying operative who's using all sorts of sophisticated equipment to monitor people's emails and phone calls. A young boy in pyjamas standing in the doorway tells him, "Uncle, for Christmas I'd like ...", but his 'uncle' cuts him off, saying "I know."

EXPLANATION
Uncle Sam represents the American state/NSA, which is spying on its own people, represented by the young boy. Uncle Sam already knows what his nephew wants for Christmas because he's been spying on him.