OK, ladies and gents, sit back, settle in, and if you have a seatbelt on your chair ... go ahead and fasten it. I am about to hit the 'hell fire and brimstone' level of my personality.
While I do not profess to be a Constitutional scholar, nor do I profess to be able to recite the Constitution of the United States of America forward and backward ... I am pretty darned astute at figuring out when the manure bucket is near the full line.
Go on over there and read Richard's post. I'll wait for you. It's important ... go ahead ... click the link. Just don't forget to come back.
OK - now that you've read Richard's post you should be pretty fired up. Some of you are staunchly defending the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution, others of you are saying ... "Well, if he doesn't have anything to hide yada yada yada ..." If you are in the latter group ... I want you to stop and think about something.
Just how far are you willing to go to succumb to government intrusion into your daily life? How many times are you going to 'allow' the government (in one of its many forms) to invade your life space? How many times have you said, "If it makes me safer, then it's ok with me."?
I am absolutely disgusted that the concept of being a country of free-thinking people has become a page in a history book. I'm more disgusted that so many of our allegedly free-thinking people have decided to drink the Kool Aid the government is handing out.
Do you value your privacy at any level? Is there nothing about you, your personal life, your business, your family that you don't particularly feel like sharing with the world ... or the government? There is? You sure about that?
Have you ever said words that are not considered socially acceptable? Have you ever had a couple too many beers at that football game and acted like a fool? Ever not given back that extra $1.00 you got in your change? Ever ....? Have you ever landed on an inappropriate website - either intentionally or unintentionally? Found yourself lingering there ... either out of curiosity or disbelief? Would you want your spouse, significant other, pastor, priest, children to know about it?
Probably not, if you're human. But how about Uncle Sam? Want him to know about everything you do? You don't care, you say, as long as it keeps you safe? Really? When did you abdicate personal responsibility for your actions? When did you start to feel like you need someone (i.e. the government) to handle the details of your everyday life? Hmmmmm.....something is very wrong here.
So ... with all those questions whirling in your mind .... and the disbelief on your faces that any of this could ever happen to YOU, play this video.
And the next time you think you're not alone ... well, you're not. Big Brother is there for you. He will keep you safe. After all ... he's from the government.
Rather Orwellian ... isn't it? And remember this quote:
In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."
-- by Martin Niemöller
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography
Mebane, NC 27302
919-418-6549
casmiphotography@triad.rr.com
Carol - so how do you really feel about this? And, no, I am not trying to be facetious. I am very concerned about the continued erosion of liberties, in the guise of security, fairness, society, etc. And what is worse, people are not only accepting these erosions, but, under the banner of ideology wanting to impose them upon everyone else.
OMG, I am appalled at this. The government will not own me ~! I am outraged at this. But yet, who do you go to ? You can't trust anyone anymore !
Mike - How do I feel about it? LOL I think that's pretty apparent. Many lives were sacrificed in order to establish the Constitution. And now we (yes WE) have enabled our government to toss it aside and engage in very UN-Constitutional behavior.
Melissa - We have become a "Nanny Nation" that is incapable of thinking for ourselves. WE have allowed this to happen ... all through our choices for elected office. I'm disgusted, disillusioned, disenfranchised and downright ticked off.
Thanks for sharing it with as many as possible. Without knowledge we are without power.
David - It's mind-boggling that we could allow OUR government to intrude on OUR lives so deeply. If someone broke into your home and sat in the closet watching your every move ... upon discovery would (should) meet with a rather unsavory reaction! But that's just my opinion ... and as of this writing I think I'm still entitled to that ... aren't I?
Carol, that statement is pretty scary although Glenn Beck I think is making a little hysteria here. Without them putting something (installed) on your PC they can't look at your files or you giving them your IP address. But that statement I agree is preposterous, particularly them owning your PC. Thanks for you and Melissa bringing this to our attention. I wonder if the developers of cars.gov are getting massive complaints on this back to them? Afterall we ALL are Americans here, not the czars vs. the peasants. Oh wait. We do have czars now. You are right. Scary stuff.
Gary - I am aware of the ability of folks like Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh to incite the public, but if you think about what this EULA says ... it's downright scary. As for czars ... don't like the concept at all.
Carol: Stuff like this has been going on for about eight years now. The thing about Richard Weisser ? Well, you have to admit, the guy IS rather subversive looking, doncha think ? But... the picture thingie... that same thing happened about a year ago to someone back east... I think it might have been our own Joan Whitebook... if I am not mistaken. She wrote a post about it. Now... you must admit that Joan also looks like SHE could be a terrorist. Just that look in her eye confirms it. She probably builds bombs in her basement. Who do we have to thank for this nonsense ? It SURELY is not a product of the last six months of President Obama's administration. You can thank your former administration... Mr Bush, Mr Cheney, Mr Rove, Mr Ashcroft,
Kids... this is not a new thing. This is a direct evolution of what has been snowballing since the CONSERVATIVES pushed the Patriot Act after Sept 11th, and, out of what they thought was a sense of duty, most of the Democrats went along with them... in voting for the Patriot Act. They were almost scared not to vote for it... for fear they would be seen as inviting further terrorist attacks.
I find it humorous that a big "to do" is being made NOW... during the Obama administration. Where was the "upset" when the FISA bill was being passed ? That bill gave the Justice Department, Homeland Security, and all, authority to listen to any telephone conversation... without a warrant. Now... the fruits of those planted seeds continue to be seen.
As the liberties erode there will be action taken. It is one thing to protect our Nation, it is yet another to take it away from us.
There are plenty of conspiracy theories out there, but think about it logically. How many people do you think the "government" will need to watch all of us? I could watch maybe 2 people, so there will need to be about 150 million "government" employees to be able to watch everyone. They need to start hiring. Hey, I think we just solved the nations unemployment situation!
Hi Carol... I was all fired up and ready to write a comment and then I read the existing comments and saw the Karen Anne said what I would have in a much more eloquent manner than I would have. She is right "on target" with her assessment. If anyone doesn't like it, they can thanks the Bush/Cheney administration for making this all possible.
Karen Anne - A few months ago I was stopped from photographing an area of downtown Durham. Nothing that could remotely be considered a security risk - just downtown sidewalks. But ... I just smiled, nodded and walked away. And back around the corner kept taking photos. From a public street to take photos of the exterior of a building is not against the law - at least not from what I read in NC law. But who knows ... maybe I'm considered a security risk. Oh well ...
As for who to thank for all this ... there are far too many to name, that's for sure. But it makes me sick to think that our forefathers, who sacrificed so much to establish the Constitution, have been tossed aside as unimportant (apparently) in order to enable our government to act independent of the wishes of the constituents.
We are on a very slippery slope ... and I don't like it. Not one bit.
Jim - As our rights and liberties are minimized, one piece at a time, we are in a freefall toward something very scary. For us and for future generations.
Brian - There have been plenty of conspiracy theories since the dawn of time. But IMO this is not a theory. This is something that is done more often than we care to admit. The overused 'battle cry' for government control and special interest groups was always "it's for the children." That one got worn out. Now it's "to keep us safe from terrorism." Either way ... it's government intrusion into private lives, private businesses and it is ... in short ... dangerous.
Steve - Karen Anne is always more eloquent than I can be. :) But what terrifies me the most is that in the "interest of national security" there are hundreds of thousands of sheeple that are willing to give up their personal liberties while thinking the government will protect them. I just don't understand the mindset. And, if you think about it, that mindset is non-partisan. So I am not placing blame on any one administration. I think it's a snowball effect and gets handed off from one administration to the next.
I have always been one to promote personal responsibility. And part of that concept is the ability (the right) to make both good and bad decisions. But along with that ability (right) goes the idea that we own up to what we have done - good or bad - and work from there. Government intervention should not be necessary.
Carol: With all my "eloquence" aside... what I was trying to say... is that morons like Glenn Beck have NO right to complain. Period. They were SO gung-ho to take away so many of our personal freedoms when they pushed, and I mean Pushed... passage of anti-Constitutional laws like the Patriot Act. The cry was... "better to curtail "some" of our personal freedoms than to risk attack by them damn furriners."
The FISA law. They (Bush-Cheney) railed against public sentiment... urging that "the government" be allowed to "tap" into ANY phone conversation they wanted. The thought was... "well... they might just be "plannin" somethin'."
The Democrats railed back... saying that yes, Homeland Security could tap the phones... they just had to get an ok from a "special judge" whose orders were "hidden from public view."
That was not good enough for Bush, Cheney and Ashcroft. They wanted NO roadblocks. They were "protecting" us. Glenn Beck pushed for it. Sean Hannity pushed for it. Rush Limbaugh pushed for it, Michael Medved pushed for it. Mark Levin (what a looney tunes) pushed for it, Bill O'Reilly pushed for it. Well... in a fit of national hysteria, they got what they wanted.
How DARE they turn the tables now, and complain about the "loss of freedoms" now ? How dare they ? Well... they do, because it now suits their "current" political purpose. What weasels ! [Good thing I'm not worked up about this, huh ?]
So... to this "outcry"... and to those Conservatives who complain... I say... Baloney ! Yer too late ! Where were you when Bush/Cheney/Rove/Ashcroft... and that little twerp Gonzalez were... one by one... dismantling the Constitution ?
Carol...
Whoo-hoo, you ARE really fired up! I'm going to add a link to this post in the comment section of my post, and if you put this in "Whacked!!!" I'll feature it!
Karen Anne - We aren't dismantling the Constitution. That was done years ago. Now we're using it to start fires of the most prolific type. God help us all.
Richard - Yep! I'm fired up. LOL I get that way on occasion. And this happened to be one of those occasions. I can't help but think of the term "independence day" and wonder when the heck we gave up our individual independence. When did we start to think that the 'gub'mint' knows how to take care of us better than we do. I'm just disgusted!
Carol, I don't blame you. I heard this only recently and had to think back if I'd been on any government sites. I know now to go to the library but it's so out of hand...and apparently no way to stop them. Big Brother I thought was a work of fiction...not so.
I'm inclined to agree with Karen Anne...our Constitution was stomped upon and dismantled by the last administration and we're just finding out to what degree now..... conservatives wanted it and now they can't handle it because they're now consistently trying to revitalize a party. I think it's time for people to realize that party affliation doesn't mean a hill of beans. Most of us were blessed with brains to fit nicely inside of our skulls, but are way too comfortable and content to allow others to actually think for us.
I would gladly give up freedoms to protect me and my family and the country I love from terrorist. However, I am not willing to give up my freedoms or be tattled on because I don't agree with Obama and this flailing administration.
So funny that anytime a liberal doesn't agree they resort to name calling. So glad it is true on the Rain as well.
Carole - It's scary the amount of control that we have given the government. And scarier that the politicians that are supposed to represent us ... forgot their duties.
Vanessa - Yes - our Constitution has been being stomped on with impunity. And it's getting harder and harder to swallow. Thanks for stopping by!
Kim - I'm not sure what 'name calling' you're referring to. But to address the rest of your comment ... I, personally, do not/will not advocate sacrificing any part of the rights and liberties afforded me by the Constitution. The Patriot Act, all the wiretapping ... just smoke and mirrors to convince those that feel threatened that the government is going to protect them. While I don't agree with your stance, you are always welcome to engage in civil discourse.
Renee - Yes, I met your hubby. Very handsome man, BTW. :) Seriously, I know what a pain it is to be profiled and put under a microscope. Every time I have flown since 9/11 I have been taken aside, my purse, laptop, etc searched by hand, multiple questions about why I'm going to ____. The whole route. And when I asked why this seemed to be a pattern with the TSA ... it's because I have a common last name that is often used as an alias. My response ... No terrorist is going to use Smith as an alias. That's only in B-movies.
I am becoming very disenfranchised with both the Rs and the Ds. I only see things being done for publicity, face time and general BSing. Nothing of substance that doesn't involve tearing another shred of paper from the Constitution.
It's a scary world, my friend. Scary.
PS: The point of the video is not to boost Glenn Beck ratings. Just to illustrate that the government can, and will, be in your business if you aren't paying attention. And since this moron was one of the cheerleaders for all this crap he should have his mouth washed out with soap.
Renee: I can only try and imagine the trouble you go through when travelling with your husband. It makes me feel sad.
As for Hannity, Limbaugh Beck, O'Reilly and the rest of those fascists... they called John Kerry a Flip Flopper. That is exactly what they are doing on all of these "freedom" issues they used to pray for... but now bitch about. If it weren't so sad and frustrating, it would be funny. They were so much IN FAVOR of "sacrificing" our Constitutional rights in favor of "protecting" us against terrorists... they did everything in their power... some legal, much not, to strip our rights.
Now... when they see that it is politically in their favor to jump the fence and rant and rave... sounding much like the Democrats who fought them in the early and mid-Bush/Cheney years. What hypocrisy. Actually... that is too nice a word for them. They are simply Liars !
As for your one long paragraph... sometimes I find that I have to hit the "return" key twice for my long paragraphs to separate into shorter ones. Yes... the big long paragraph looks like a rant, and is hard to read. But... not to worry... I got the point, and I agree with you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I must give the Conservative Republicans credit, though. They are much better than the Democrats. Much better at being Devious. I have gotten several emails from some of the conservatives both on Active Rain, and not... urging me to go to these Town Hall meetings and disrupt them. What weasels. But, I must admit... they are much better at shepherding the sheeple to these events than the Democrats ever have been.
Karen, I see you've got the talking points down. Why are you so angry? I'm being serious with that question. Do you watch Hannity, Listen to Rush, watch Beck? You're calling conservatives "devious" "weasels" ad nauseam. Somewhat of a wide brush dont'cha think?
Considering that the vast majority of Americans consider themselves more Conservative than Liberal those statements don't seem to be very well thought out for this blog site.
Since "Sixty-two percent of Americans define themselves as "somewhat conservative" or "very conservative" while only thirty-four percent of Americans define themselves as "somewhat liberal" or "very liberal" your analysis of conservatives in both this and Richards blog is insulting to the vast majority of people to say the least. Probably more so here on AR since most are small business owners and independent contracts who generally don't buy into the whole liberal mantra. If you don't believe that last statement check this out. From the Canada Free Press of all places.
As far as the Patriot Act. Please provide one case where an American citizen proved in a court of law that their civil rights were violated as a result of the Patriot Act.
Carol...Excellent post!
Gene
Wow, Carol --- you got a lot of very interesting comments --- I agree with you and your statements --- I am really afraid of what is happening. We all need to stand up and speak out --- good for you.
@ Gene (NW Equity): Yes... I absolutely both watch and listen to Hannity, Rush and Beck. I would never issue the type of criticism that I did without watching them. I may be slanted to the left, but I am because of MY conclusions after watching and listening to these people, and then seeing the results of their venom being acted out by their many fans, adherents and sheeple. I am not simple a kool-aid drinker. Not a chance.
Talking points ? Not me. These are MY points... concluded after much evidence that supports my coming to those conclusions. And... sorry... my conclusions are very well thought-out. I have NEVER been one to model my "conclusions" after what someone else's theory of "what the majority" might be thinking. And... what does THIS blog site have to do with anything ? Do YOU change your thinking depending on where you are ?
I very much disagree with your percentages. You want percentages... look at the election results from last November 6th. Now... what is the percentage of "progressives ?
As far as Carol's post... I am in agreement with Carol's post. Cases... you want cases ? They never make it that far. The everyday folks who suffer from what the Patriot Act has imposed... do not have high-priced attorneys on retainer to bring anyone to court.
Back to being devious. These Town Hall mobs that supposedly surge to these events and try and drown out the speakers... are "staged" by the conservatives who support them. That fact cannot be denied, unless those in denial have spilled their Kool-Aid on the evidence, and blurred the ink.
Take a look at what Renee Burrows has to say in her comments. I am not the only one here making comments that disagree with you and the other far-righters. I very much have the right to disagree with you, as do you... me.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
NW Equity: I just followed your "link" to the "Canadian Free Press" website. You have GOT to be KIDDING. I mean... talk about Kool-Aid. They don't even mix the Kool-aid with water... they just open the packages and swallow the contents whole. Wow.
You mentioned "talking points." Their whole website is one talking point after another. What vile. It is simply one more site... similar to Fox News (ha !), Townhall.com, and so many of the other far-right propaganda sources. If that is where you get your news... and if that is where you get the "information" you use to draw your conclusions... yikes. No wonder nothing I have to say makes sense to you. I am not surprised.
By the way... back to the silly poll results quotes on "Battleground." Combining the numbers from "very conservative" and "somewhat conservative" totally destroys the intent of even HAVING those categories. I myself would admit to being somewhat conservative on some things... and even very conservative on a very few others. Does that mean that I am also included in the "bunch" that you point at to re-affirm your conclusions ?
I think this country would be best served if it could be governed by the SEVENTY percent quoted in the Battleground poll... who label themselves anywhere from "somewhat conservative to somewhat liberal. In my opinion, let's leave both fringes... the 8% who consider themselves very liberal, and the 22% who consider themselves very conservative... let's leave both those groups in their own little worlds... to do what they wish. That way they are much more likely to "do no harm."
We do not need government by the fringes... either fringe. We need government from the center.
Carol: If I am taking up too much space here with my comments... please let me know. This is your post. Please advise. And, you too, have a Great Sunday.
To ALL:
I have no problem with debate/discussion on my post. My only requirement is that the discussion/discourse remain civil.
We all have our own opinions about what we expect, need and want from our government. That's what makes this country of ours so very special. But I fear that with the erosion of our rights and liberties that seems to be progressing ... we may not be afforded that luxury at some point in the future. And I, personally, hope that I'm not around to see that.
Karen Anne - Take up all the space you need. Your opinions are valued, as is your input.
Carry on!
Sorry the term talking points ruffled your feathers Karen. Those are not "my" percentages they are what they are whether you agree or disagree with them is your privilege but let's not muddy the water with diversions about the poll or the site because it matters not who reported the poll. I could have posted a link from CNN or MSNBC just as easy but one from those news sites would not have been as effectively revealing as the one from a diametrically opposing ideological perspective.
Your claim that I'm a righty is another fallacy you've eagerly assumed along with the rest of your ad nauseam attacks on all things conservative. I vote for anyone who makes sense and who I believe will do a good job and that includes Democrats. I have drawn no "conclusions" but they're forming real quick. If you re-read my post (ya know, the ones that got you so riled up) you'd see that it was very straight forward and not accusatory in any way so why the vitriol toward me? And yes I do try to moderate my thinking and control my outburst when in a social arena, even an online one. It's seem like the professional thing to do, but hey---that's just me...
The only reason I brought up that poll at all was to point out that carelessly attacking a group like conservatives in a country where the vast majority claim to be conservative thinkers especially in a forum where other professionals read your comments just seems counterintuative...But then again...That's just me I guess. I apologize for trying to shed light. You must know what you're doing more than I around here...
You mentioned the election in terms of percentages. About 51% of eligible voting Americans voted for Obama. What's that prove? That 49% did not in a country where only 54% of the population even vote. What does that have to do with the Battle ground poll? Answer... Nothing. It's not germane to what I posted. I do agree with leaving the fringes on the fringe though...
The Patriot Act was used as a political distraction by anyone willing to take the bait cast into the murky waters of public opinion by partisans in an attempt to paint the previous administration as anti-American and against civil liberties. The fact that, in an era where the media would uncover and exploit anything at all if it exists to destroy the Bush Administration but has been unable to do so says it all.
I've said enough about this. Bye.Gene
It's very important to remember that it is up to US to claim our civil rights. Every single thing that a police officer or sheriff is permitted to do is codified.
If you are detained by a city policeman you are to ask him under what the number of the revised code is that permits him or her to detain you.
Then you need to be able to accurately inform them what your civil rights are on the matter.
The fourth amendment to the Constitution of the United States says: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
There are a limited number of reasons that any law enforcement agent may detain you. I treat each opportunity where I meet one who doesn't know about civil rights as an opportunity for education. If that fails I have a card in my wallet that accompanies my Prepaid Legal policy (nope don't work for them, just use and love my policy) that costs $1.00 a month. It has information on it for the detaining officer informing them that I have a right to call council and a number that has a live attorney at the other end 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Thomas Jefferson, at the time serving as Ambassador to France, wrote to Madison advocating a Bill of Rights: "Half a loaf is better than no bread. If we cannot secure all our rights, let us secure what we can."
This was never meant to mean that we didn't have to DEMAND our rights. And over all these years people have fought, died and been jailed to protect these rights so that we may demand them.
I can't quote numbers or percentages, but I do know what this country is about: individual freedom. Yes we must give up "some" freedom for "some" security. The question is how much of each?
I think it was Ben Franklin who said: "Those that give up freedom for security have neither."
I also believe there is a bigger picture. It's not what has happened to us over the last 8 years, as some would only look at, but what has happened to us over the past 50 years.
If you think George Orwell is science fiction...look around.