2005-12-15
And THIS Isn't Fascism??
The Patriot Act, approved after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, made it easier for the FBI to conduct secret searches, monitor telephone calls and e-mails, and obtain bank records and other personal documents in connection with terrorism investigations.
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7 comments:
Obviously you would argue that the Patriot Act is fascistic. I on the other hand would argue that it's more a severe reaction to the complete breakdown and handcuffing of our intelligence services under the Clinton administration, resulting in their utter inability to protect us.
What really disturbs me is your seemingly non-existent concern for the lack intellectual diversity on college and university campuses, which, as far as I'm concerned, poses a much more significant threat to the country than the perceived threat posed by the Patriot Act.
Out-of-control political correctness and politically correct speech are a far greater threat to society than the Patriot Act will ever be.
Of course, that's just my humble opinion.
Where is there a lack of intellectual diversity on college campuses? Do you really think Ann Coulter is an example of intellectual diversity??? Come on.
If you are against politically correct speech, then you should have no problem with students shouting down right-wing speakers just like they would shout down Ward Churchill at Bob Jones University.
The Patriot Act is an infringement on civil liberties and personal freedoms. There were no real restrictions placed on the intelligence community by the Clinton administration except that they should respect the rights of U.S. citizens. What handcuffs are you talking about?
I wouldn't say the intelligence community is unable to protect us either. Their intell has apparently been effective since 911 hasn't it?
And I would say that the breach of intell on 911 was orchestrated at a much higher level than 19 dudes on some airplanes. I don't buy the official line on that one.
The Patriot Act was prepared well in advance of 911 and pushed through Congress where weak-willed politicians WHO DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO READ IT signed it into law.
Have YOU read the Patriot Act? You should check it out. It's frightening stuff in a supposedly democratic society.
What handcuffs am I talking about? "Able Danger" quickly comes to mind.
====Nadir===
Where is there a lack of intellectual diversity on college campuses? Do you really think Ann Coulter is an example of intellectual diversity??? Come on.
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Absolutely it would be. Please explain how it is not. I agree with you that the rightists who complain about Ann C getting shouted down contradict and disgrace themselves by demanding the firing of Ward Connerly (but actually the rightists don't shout him down, do they?). There is no consistancy here from either side. Both insist on firing or boycotting people who say things that they don't like, or at least forcing an apology.
====Nadir===
If you are against politically correct speech, then you should have no problem with students shouting down right-wing speakers just like they would shout down Ward Churchill at Bob Jones University.
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Nadir: Six and I do not oppose PC speech; we oppose the imposition of PC speech. I assume that Six supports my view that shouting down speakers is a form of censorship; it is not a form of government-sponsored censorship (which the First Ammendment prohibits), but it is a form of private censorship, which is legal, but I believe immoral, and which I further believe demands opposition from true advocates of free speech. As long as we citizens tolerate or practice private censorship, we effectively nullify out constitution's First Ammendment.
And this applies equally to the capacity of Ward Churchill to tell an audience why the 911 victims are "little Eichmans", and to Ward Connerly explaining why he opposses the University of Michigan awarding more admissions points to students for claiming that they are "African-American" than for them having earned a perfect SAT score.
=====Nadir====
The Patriot Act is an infringement on civil liberties and personal freedoms.
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Nadir: I think that you know I am a Bush voter who 57% supports his Iraq war, but who 100% opposes his Patriot and Homeland Security Acts. What would I have changed about the US in response to 911? Exactly two things:
1. Reinforced, lockable commerical airline cockpit doors.
2. An additional reinforced, lockable door of some type used when cockpit personel use the bathrooms, or when the door cockpit door is opened for them to get food.
3. A new airline highjacking policy that forbids cockpit personel from opening their door even if hijackers threaten to kill a passenger.
Any but the most minimal changes represent a victory for the tyrants. A world of risk *is* "the price of freedom".
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