Retired JU Prof. Stephen Baker discusses ‘data mining’ controversy on ‘First Coast Connect’

The recent revelation that the United States government “data mines” its citizens’ personal information has people talking about the issue of civil liberties versus security – and that’s a good thing, retired Jacksonville University Prof. Stephen Baker said Tuesday, June 11 on WJCT-FM 89.9’s “First Coast Connect.”

“I think that (whistleblower Edward) Snowden is right in that it is something we really ought to be talking about. And I’m also concerned that the media is treating this as a new issue,” Baker said on the radio show.

Baker says balancing liberty and security is among the U.S. government’s most delicate challenges.

“We really can’t have both at the same time,” he said on the radio program.

Baker retired this spring after teaching political science at JU for 28 years. He and Florida Coastal School of Law Prof. Joseph Tomain were guests on the public radio show, which can be heard here on the WJCT OnDemand website.