[SeMissourian.com] Fair ~ 68°F  
River stage: 32.73 ft. Rising
Friday, May 24, 2013
Post reply Read replies (54) More threads Create thread

Is America a Police State?
Posted by BCStoned on Fri, Feb 8, 2013, at 3:31 PM:

Paul Craig Roberts seems to think it is "It Has happened Here" http://lewrockwell.com/roberts/roberts38...

I happen to agree. Americans have forgotten the role that natural rights play in liberty.

They turn to a Constitution that no longer limits the power of government, because government decides what is constitutional.

The Bill of Rights has replaced natural rights as a legitimate defense of liberty. Government interprets the Bill of Rights, dissolving any importance that it may hold in liberty.

The worship of government has replaced the worship of freedom.



Replies

Many have already sold their freedom for a free ride. They don't care. Yet!

-- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Fri, Feb 8, 2013, at 4:32 PM

I read an MSNBC poll result yesterday: 78% of Americans agree with executive orders to use drones for targeted assasinations.

To answer your question - yes.

-- Posted by Simon Jester on Fri, Feb 8, 2013, at 7:33 PM

And who watches MSNBC? The people that will follow Obama off the cliff.

-- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Fri, Feb 8, 2013, at 8:06 PM

Case-in-point: Steven Greenhut's "'Heroes' View Us as Little More Than Collateral Damage http://lewrockwell.com/greenhut/greenhut...

And to think, I used to live in Torrance.

-- Posted by BCStoned on Fri, Feb 8, 2013, at 11:32 PM

Larry Arns gave a good lecture or natural rights.

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but it wasn't hard for me to realize I never understood completely what I percieved to be the kind of rights the constitution protects until I heard that lecture.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I once watched an Amazing Story type TV show that depicted the un-brainwashing of a fellow to bring him back into the fold of right side. It was successful but in the end the story revealed he was on the right side before the un-brainwashing.

The point I try to make is that when someone eats the good food for too long he may need to sample the less good now and then just to make sure he can still tell the difference.

-- Posted by Old John on Fri, Feb 8, 2013, at 11:36 PM

One sentence from the article: "Most of Palestine has been stolen by Israel with Washington acquiesce and aid." I know it's from an opinion piece but that is an opinion I would need more convincing on.

-- Posted by Old John on Fri, Feb 8, 2013, at 11:44 PM

Was just thinking and that usually gets me confused even more. I'm a little foggy on French history but didn't the French throw off all catagories of class structure only to have Napoleon restore class structure and a dictatorship in place of a monarch in just a few years? How'd he do that?

Now my self confused thinking is seeing similarities with the history of France and today's America. Was it his control of information fed to the people? Was it his ability to get himself painted in a good light [literally] as the savior of the country? Or was it the fact that he managed to bring all Frenchmen together on an even parr, stripped of the advantage of firearms?

-- Posted by Old John on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 12:52 AM

Old John, Not familiar with much of French History. In "The Law" Bastiat brings up Napoleon a little, but I forgot what he had to say. I was more interested in natural rights, and have read essays of his, Lock, and others on natural rights.

Although Thomas Jefferson was not supportive of natural rights as president, he was well versed in them. About a hundred years ago, more or less, I read a biography on Jefferson. All rights are forgotten when your a president (politician).

-- Posted by BCStoned on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:05 AM

Indeed an interesting discussion and I look forward to later today, reading the input of others.

-- Posted by Old John on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:22 AM

The term "natural rights" has always been awkward to me. Does the sky start raining chicken, or the earth bust open if someone is denied their "natural rights"? Try to break other laws of nature and there is a consequence.

-- Posted by Simon Jester on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 6:38 AM

"....believes the documented evidence provided by a large number of scientists, first responders, and structural engineers and architects...."

That's right every person that observed aircraft flying into the WTC was imagining it or seeing things. There was no plane flown into the Pentagon, nor was one forced to crash in Pennsylvania. It was all really done by "Hollywood" and the US Government.

"...to target his own citizens for execution without any charges or due process, far from any battlefield."

If an American "citizen" is on a battlefield in Yemen, continuously plotting against this country and sending suicide bombers to blow up planes, he has relinquished any and all rights of citizenship. Why would we just wait until he is successful?

In between those preposterous claims of a US "police state" are equally absurd suppositions about Congress, the FBI, Israel, etc. etc. How could anyone take any of the ramblings and fictions of Mr. Roberts seriously?

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 8:04 AM

CSM,

Do you believe that it is acceptable to torture terror suspects, i.e. through waterboarding or other means?

-- Posted by Simon Jester on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 9:40 AM

Commonsensematters, I have no clue who was responsible for 9-11, and neither do you or Mr. Roberts. Opinions are just that, opinions.

There is no battlefield in Yemen that America is involved in. There is no proof that that American citizen plotted against America. If there would have been proof then he would have been tried in the court system. His son was never tried for a criminal act either.

So I hear you saying that America's judicial system is nothing but a lie. If the government claims you're guilty, then you are guilty, no need of a trial, just kill them.

I think Mr. Roberts is right about the US being a police state, and you just proved it.

-- Posted by BCStoned on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 9:57 AM

"...acceptable to torture terror suspects..."

The question is irrelevant. The fact is that torture does not work. All we ever got was out dated information of little value.

"...I have no clue who was responsible for 9-11..."

Are you trying to convince anyone that you do not believe aircraft were flown into the WTC?

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:04 AM

The term "natural rights" has always been awkward to me. Does the sky start raining chicken, or the earth bust open if someone is denied their "natural rights"? Try to break other laws of nature and there is a consequence.

-- Posted by Simon Jester on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 6:38 AM

A government was formed to insure there would be consequences if a person's natural rights were violated. Too bad that that government proved to be the worst aggressor of those rights, as Jefferson warned.

-- Posted by BCStoned on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:05 AM

"Old John, Not familiar with much of French History."

BC,

What if I told you that you had a Great Great Great Great Grandfather who fought in Napoleon's Army? :-)

-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:06 AM

I still feel it's strange that liberals throw a fit over waterboarding but defend drone dropped bombs to take out the same people, often along with innocents.

I think it is relevant.

-- Posted by Old John on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:16 AM

commonsensematters, I seen the planes hit the buildings on TV. But who was responsible for planning and financing the operation? There had to have been a great deal of money involved.

I don't have enough knowledge about skyscrapers to have an opinion on why or how they collapsed. Some things are better left to architects and engineers.

Osama bin Laden said he didn't know about 9-11. He would have more reason to claim responsibility to impress his followers, than to deny it.

-- Posted by BCStoned on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:16 AM

Wheels, Thank you, for sharing that.

-- Posted by BCStoned on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:22 AM

Wheels, I'm guessing he was not French?

-- Posted by Old John on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:26 AM

I still feel it's strange that liberals throw a fit over waterboarding but defend drone dropped bombs to take out the same people, often along with innocents.

I think it is relevant.

-- Posted by Old John on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:16 AM

There was a list put out by Pakistan and Yemen that had the names of the children killed by drones. There were even a couple of 1 year old children on the list (pre-kindergartners). The UN once put the killing of innocents at more than 800.

I will agree with commonsensematters on torture.

-- Posted by BCStoned on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:30 AM

Wheels, I'm guessing he was not French?

-- Posted by Old John on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:26 AM

BrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaK!

-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:30 AM

Common, bases his thoughts and decision on the D or R behind their names. He doesn't recognize that a lot if not most of their ideologies have merged.

-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 10:35 AM

If an American "citizen" is on a battlefield in Yemen, continuously plotting against this country and sending suicide bombers to blow up planes, he has relinquished any and all rights of citizenship. Why would we just wait until he is successful?

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 8:04 AM

Because we respect the constitution and due process. The constitution has specific provisions for dealing with traitorous citizens. Extra-judicial assassinations are not among them.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 12:44 PM

Bush argued that the federal government could hold a US citizen without trial as an enemy combatant.

Obama now argues that the federal government can kill US citizens without due process.

People who agree with this stuff are insane and are a far bigger threat to your liberty than Obamcare or the EPA.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 12:49 PM

Hmm let's see...

Expanded wiretapping powers and warrantless search powers and all of the "war on terror" laws

Highest per capita prison population in the world

Endless exceptions to the 4th amendment

Police depts now using drones.

Indefinite detention of US citizens under NDAA

States prosecuting people for filming the police in public

US has more cops per capita than China and Iran.

Militarization of local police agencies

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:02 PM

Again , BushII is brought into the debate . What lame comparisons to Obama's actions .

-- Posted by Dissident. on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:02 PM

These developments don't occur in a vacuum. This line of thinking has evolved from the "unitary executive" theory. It has nothing to do with republican or democrat. It just so happens that some very insane men have influenced the last two administrations with their power-mad unitary executive theories.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:06 PM

A big difference between "being held" and "being killed" .

If this is confusing to you , dictionary meanings of words are available on-line .

-- Posted by Dissident. on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:04 PM

Both are unconstitutional. The reasoning behind both actions is the same: that the commander in chief has supreme power when it comes to war and national security.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:09 PM

"...provisions for dealing with traitorous citizens."

So we are to risk the lives of American soldiers to fly into Yemen so we can capture him and bring him back to the US for a trial.

Furthermore, had any of suicide missions that he planned and launched been successful, we could have ended up with an airplane load of murdered Americans. Them everyone would have been screaming that we should have eliminated him when we had the chance.

I have zero sympathy for a terrorist that hides in Yemen plotting to murder Americans. If he wanted constitutional protection, he should have returned to America.

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:09 PM

And this has what to do with being droned in America ??

-- Posted by Dissident. on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:06 PM

See the title and subject of this thread please:

"Is america a police state?"

I provided some evidence that we are moving in that direction. Perhaps you didn't understand that.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:11 PM

I have zero sympathy for a terrorist that hides in Yemen plotting to murder Americans. If he wanted constitutional protection, he should have returned to America.

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:09 PM

Liberty is sometimes inconvenient. If there was enough evidence to just vaporize this guy, why not indict him at least before you dropping bombs?

Sorry common, this is dictator stuff. And it's wildly unamerican.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:13 PM

"Is America a Police State? ...

Yes , since the year 1820 ."

If you really care to discover how ridicules that "police state" claim is, try asking someone who lived in East Germany, the Soviet Union, Albania, or China in the last part of the 20th century. They would laugh in your face.

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:15 PM

"Liberty is sometimes inconvenient."

Perhaps so, but I am in no way convinced that 2 dead terrorists in the mountains of Yemen protend the end of democracy or liberty in America.

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:18 PM

So we have to resort to comparing the US to the most oppressive regimes of the 20th century? You have low expectations common.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:19 PM

Perhaps so, but I am in no way convinced that 2 dead terrorists in the mountains of Yemen protend the end of democracy or liberty in America.

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:18 PM

Two dead american citizens who hadn't even been charged let alone convicted of a crime.

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:21 PM

Does hypocracy have anything to with hypochondriasis?

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:23 PM

What do I care if some dirty hippy gets arrested for their wacky protest, huh common?

http://rt.com/usa/news/trespass-bill-oba...

-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:31 PM

"Furthermore, had any of suicide missions that he planned and launched been successful, we could have ended up with an airplane load of murdered Americans. Them everyone would have been screaming that we should have eliminated him when we had the chance."

Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Feb 9, 2013, at 1:09 PM

I may be wrong but I think I recall something about the U.S. being offered Osama in custody and that offer refused by President Clinton. "He was a hot potato". Not sure about the screaming but people did make their dissatisfaction known.

Some wish to try terrorist captured on the battlefield in NYC to protect them from military justice and torture and at the same time they are ok with killing them with drones before they even get to the battlefield.

Sorry to sound uncooperative but I am a little confused.

Go back and research some old threads and I think you will find Spaniard has been consistant regarding the subject of the thread even though he shows his bias for liberalism. On the other hand, one particular "support Obama no matter what" poster has proven he is undecided even if he doesn't know it.

I'm not trying to be condecending or taking sides as I'm convinced there is a good discussion with some learning to be had here.

I'm leaning to toward the answer of yes America is a police state only if those police state powers affect someone else and not me.

-- Posted by Old John on Sun, Feb 10, 2013, at 12:15 AM

For one thing 9/11 was an inside job. Another thing every month a 100,000 Americans are sent to consatraion camps. This has beening since the 1960's but most of the American sheeple are to busy watching TV to notice.

-- Posted by Some Random Guy on Thu, Feb 14, 2013, at 7:39 AM

"...every month a 100,000 Americans are sent to consatraion camps."

Thats's 1.2 million per year, so since 1960 it has been 50 years, so that's 60 million. You would think that someone might have noticed.

-- Posted by commonsensematters on Thu, Feb 14, 2013, at 8:28 AM


Respond to this thread

Posting a comment requires free registration. If you already have an account , enter your username and password below. Otherwise, click here to register.

Username:

Password:  (Forgot your password?)

Your comments:
Please be respectful of others and try to stay on topic.


Want to comment?

In order to participate in semissourian.com's forums, you must be a registered member of the site. Once registered and logged in, you can post comments to existing threads or post new threads of your own. Click below to register now (it's free!). If you're already registered, just start commenting and posting threads.