Did the original hippies help to strengthen or weaken Big Brother?

Question

Any views appreciated

Answer 1

The aftershock of the original hippies can be felt today. They in some ways strengthened "Big Brother" in some ways.. they forced an expansion law enforcement to deal with the drug problems they created. Many people say the CIA expanded its operations to explore the "socialistic tendencies" of the Hippie "drop out" culture. Most law enforcement agencies including the FBI kept a close eye on this group of individuals and their illegal activities.

On the flip side... They did in many ways strengthen individual rights. Public political demonstrations are now considered legitimate expressions of free speech. Unmarried couples of all ages feel free to travel and live together without societal disapproval. Frankness regarding sexual matters has become the norm, and the rights of homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people have expanded. Religious and cultural diversity has gained greater acceptance. Co-operative business enterprises and creative community living arrangements are widely accepted.

Answer 2

Both.

Freedom of Information and other acts stopped some of it until 9-11 was used to really push things back to toward the McCarthy era.