Journal NumberSyx's Journal: High Lights of the Homeland Security Bill 5
Eliminate vital aspects of the Freedom of Information Act, allowing the government and private corporate contractors to operate completely in secret and beyond citizen oversight;
Create something called a 'Total Information Awareness' program within the Defense Department. Conservative columnist and former Nixon aide William Safire summed up succinctly what this will do. "Every purchase you make with a credit card, every magazine subscription you buy and medical prescription you fill, every Web site you visit and e-mail you send or receive, every academic grade you receive, every bank deposit you make, every trip you book and every event you attend -- all these transactions and communications will go into what the Defense Department describes as 'a virtual, centralized grand database.' To this computerized dossier on your private life from commercial sources, add every piece of information that government has about you -- passport application, driver's license and bridge toll records, judicial and divorce records, complaints from nosy neighbors to the F.B.I., your lifetime paper trail plus the latest hidden camera surveillance."
Redefines the term 'Terrorism.' Before, 'Terrorism' involved explosions, murder, kidnapping and any activity that used violence to frighten civilians and change the manner in which a government functioned. Under the new legislation, the definition of 'Terrorism' is expanded. Now, 'Terrorism' is defined as an act that, "Is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State or other subdivision of the United States," or "Appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population." Protests against the government or against a private contractor involved with the government are intended to 'coerce' the civilian population. Loitering is a criminal offense. If you do either of these from now on, you may consider yourself welcomed into the ranks of international terrorism. Seriously.
Deletes any possibility of an effective independent investigation into what went wrong on Sept. 11, thanks to the aforementioned FOIA restrictions.
They told you so... (Score:2)
So what is to be done to stop it? We all know its insanely wrong, saying so will not be enough to reverse it. And after you conclude that there are no other options, how far are you willing to go to make it all right again?
That is the question.
Are you willing to "take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them?"
Re:They told you so... (Score:2)
Living in Texas and most of my friends being more conservative than not, I have had this conversation more than once. At what point do we excercise our right to defend the constitution against our own government, which as of yet not become oppressive, but is increasingly disregarding our rights and siezing more power. Who among us is man enough to lead a rebellion, allow himself to be labeled a Terrorist and ultimately a martyre.
It was one thing 200 years ago to speak about open rebellion, the Army was scarcely better armed than the people, but today an armed rebellion would be facing tanks, bombers and attack helicopters. Not to mention government control of the media. Take a good look at Palistine to see how a ragtag rebel faction fares against a modern Army.
Re:They told you so... (Score:2)
200 years ago, the stakes were actually higher. The French or Spanish could have invaded and taken over everything (for example).
200 years ago, the aim of the revolution was a wooly concept of freedom; now, Americans have something clearly predefined that they want to "get back to".
And as for a ragtag rebel faction faring army faring against a modern army, just ask OBL and his Afganistan crew about the Russians, and how they sent them back to Moscow, or ask HoChiMin about Vietnam.
It can be done, if the will is there.
Will anyone turn off the TV for long enough??
Re:They told you so... (Score:2)
And as for a ragtag rebel faction faring army faring against a modern army, just ask OBL and his Afganistan crew about the Russians, and how they sent them back to Moscow, or ask HoChiMin about Vietnam.
You are correct, it can be done. However Will to succeed wasn't the only thing Osama Bin Laden and HoChiMin had working for them, they also had home court advantage. Something Americans would not have if they decided to rise up and rebel against its own government.
Will anyone turn off the TV for long enough?? :]
No doubt, the government doesn't need Soma when it has TV.
Scary. (Score:2)
Well, except that we have some really bad laws here in the old world too. The RIP surveilance act in UK, the CyberCrime treaty and the EU Copyright Directive to mention a few.