Unfortunately I think this is where we're all headed. Should you use the sort of evidence "the authorities" use against citizens to prove misconduct on their part and you are either a "terra-ist" or are violating felony wiretap laws...Even on your own property? wtf..
Maybe Mr Gannon should have said "The Camera is there to keep America safe from "terra-ists." - that seems to be the "get out of constitutional protections free card" du-jour...
Maybe Mr Gannon didn't know that America is fast becoming a fascist kleptocracy...
This just seems ridiculous, the guy was on his own property - I would think he'd have a better chance of pressing trespassing charges against the "officer" then some corrupt police department that is being terribly abusive with their autority would have of charging him with these felonies.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not down on all cops or law enforcement officers - there are some who do a great job and respect the law and constitution, but this kind of thing is becoming all to common.
Obviously you'd never want to start resistance with arms, but the capability always has to be there and that is why the second amendment is so important. It is the guardian of our freedom and of the other amendments.
What has to happen at this point (and long before any armed resistance is considered) is that people have to be willing to go outside of their comfort zone (something that seems near impossible with today's America) - to refuse to work or take part in the system - To say "No" ; to have a general strike.. The way this tyrannical and institutionally corrupt government we have in the US now works is that they know that most Americans love convenience - so they use that to get their agendas passed - they make people want the very instruments of their own slavery/control. For example, soon they'll probably start offering benefits for people who are chipped - like maybe they wont have to wait in line to go through security at the airport, or maybe eventually you'll need a chip to be employed or to drive or whatever...You'll have to be willing to give up comfort and convenience - which most American's just wont do until it is completely clear it is a necessity to do so, and even then some just won't do it.
In order to not carry a national ID or be chipped you have to be willing to step away from the pack and accept inconvenience. They'll probably make it harder and harder to get by without having one - then eventually it will be a crime not to have one. Look at what they did with social security. I have my original card from the early 70s and it says in big letters across the bottom front "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES" - and people have forgotten but there was a lot of concern about this when the program started and they promised and made a big deal about how it would never be allowed to be used in this way and now look how it is used by the IRS, police, feds, corporate credit agencies (which are so enmeshed with government they might as well be considered government - and what is that form of government called when big business colludes with government to control the masses? It starts with an "f.")
This corporatist government is a master of manipulating the public. They use several techniques to get the public to accept restrictions and loss of liberty - one of which is that they create and/or take advantage of crisis situations to get the public to request "protection." They use agent provocateurs to discredit peace or patriot movements. And, like the parable you always hear about cooking a frog (if you drop a from in boiling water it will jump out immediately, but if you put it in lukewarm water and slowly turn up the heat the frog will slowly boil to death without protest) - when they want massive changes that people would never accept they do them incrementally and gradually.
If it ever comes down to that point (armed resistance - which unfortunately as more people are starting to realize could one day before long be within the realm of possibility) you don't have to outgun them. We weren't anywhere near outgunned in Vietnam and we aren't in Iraq now either...
You force the government's hand and make them show just how evil and ruthless they'll be - you win the hearts of the masses by letting the soldiers/govt do what they'll do - kill Americans who are standing up for the constitution and their freedom.
One thing Americans have been raised in is the belief that Americans fought against tyranny and declared our independence - we cherish this - it is such a part of our culture that hopefully once the masses of people realize just how tyrannical this government will become if nothing stops it they'll realize that we have to take our country back by whatever means necessary - but hopefully never with violence.
(By the way, as recent events have shown I am sure if groups of marines have no problem killing women and children civilians execution style I am quite sure troops can be found who would shoot Americans -
I think that the only time the government, authorities, whatever should be permitted to request a blood sample is when there has been a violent crime committed or the blood/DNA is central to proving the charge.
As far as asking whether DNA should be collected and put into a db like fingerprints - I would like to ask anyone who supports this - Are you fucking crazy?
This government cannot be trusted, period. They are a tyrannical abusive machine that views the public like cattle, and regardless of what reason they give for collecting biometric or actual biological information now, (whether it's for ID or any other purpose) you can bet that if it isn't put to ddevious use now it will be in the future. We don't even know what the future holds in regard to how this sort of information could be used.
If you'd like an example I can pull out my Social Security card - it's the original one from the early 70s, and it says in big letters at the bottom "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES."
I see a lot of people posing the question, "Do Americans even care?"
I think those who know anything about history do care.
As far as the majority of the public (espceially those who seem to be far more interested in things like who won their favorite reality TV show, which celebrity is screwing who etc) I predict (unfortunately) that they will not care or really pay it much mind until it either affects them or someone they care about directly.
>>If this continues, eventually they'll just be sharing stupid home movies of people swinging light-sabers.
If that did actually happen, (which I don't find likely) then that would provide a more entertaining and and insight filled experience than 95% of the major studio crap that's coming out these days...
- and as for the people making quality (mostly independent) films, they'll still get their work out...
This is yet another blow in a long line of abuses by this government towards the people who they supposedly serve.
As others have noted it's unclear to many whether the government or the corporations are actually calling the shots - well, actually it's TOO clear.
Increasingly you hear people saying "vote out the incumbents" and similar sentiments, which are good - but the problem is that the entire system is broken - not the broken, but willfully corrupted, obscured, and backwards. This won't truly change anything anymore than simply wishing our government was the government we portray in our history books.
This will not be the last attack on your freedom, nor will it be anywhere near the type of stuff that is coming. With every step we take towards a completely authoritarian system the abuses and usurpations get bolder, the regard for your freedom and rights fade further away.
You cannot fix a broken and corrupted system by trying to work with the broken tools within the confines of that broken system where even the remedies provided for abuses are as broken as the system itself.
I'm not saying I have all of the answers, but I do think that unless people are willing to organize and do whatever is necessary to take our country back - to take risks and to stand up regardless of what others will think, regardless of the law or anything else - then we're doomed to end up wherever this ship of fools is headed.
I'm not suggesting armed revolution or anything that severe at this point, and on the other end of the spectrum I am not talking about something as ineffective as a simple protest where people stand around and hold signs - it's time to get creative.... a million people or more showing up in DC and marching into the capital building and occupying it until actions are taken to restore and preserve our rights....I don't know - that's just one thought and maybe not the answer, but something has to be done.
Wow, I am sure that Bush and company will finally be sleep soundly again. I am sure that their intense worry over our fundamental rights was awful for them to deal with; hell I bet that their anxiety over possible lost liberties was palpable...Probably way worse than spending a year at Gitmo.
- cause you know, Bush...he's a caring man.
- And a Christian....that's how I know he's good. Nobody would ever say they are a Christian who believes in freedom and then do all kinds of things that go against everything America and the civilized world stand for...No way.
People can either be good or bad - the TV tells me so.
- And for anyone who says differently...well, the gestap..uh, i mean homeland security protectors are always looking for someone to investigate for "terroristic thoughts."
- it's the best way to deal with people who disagree just make the the call to the anonymous "report on your neighbors" line and problem solved!
I just don't get these people who talk abut "freedom" all of the time. Don't they know that safety is the new freedom? I mean, without the government keeping us safe, who would protect us from the attacks our government stages to convince us we need more safety?
That it didn't even occur to me that it culd possibly be a joke at first because it is so in line with the escalating kind of behavior we're seeing from western fascist leaning governments these days.
Unfortunately we have the same sort of thing to look forward to in the US.
This isn't really about porn, violence, or protecting children. It is about one thing and one thing only: Government control of information; period. If you believe otherwise you are being fooled.
I realize that there are a lot of people and lobbyist groups who would love to block porn and violence, and I am sure that is what this is about for those groups and I have no problem if these people wish to undertake these sort of solutions themselves as responsible parents etc - but as far as western governments are concerned this is about censorship.
Even if the reason they wanted to do this really was to "protect children" - forcing the entire country to conform to the lowest common denominator of what some consider to be decency is backwards as hell.
These are the same sorts of people who always talk about "morality," - note, to them "morality" is about whatever dogmatic belief they would like to impose on others; rather than being about truth, honesty, valor - trating others as you would like to be treated, the best parts of human nature and kindness etc.
We all need to pinch the shit out of the world and wake everyone up from this growing orwellian nightmare.
DO you really think the democrats are that different?
Yes - I would rather see anyone in power than this current group of neo-fascist criminal oligarchs, but unfortunately in a lot of ways the democratic party has proven to be just another branch on the same tree of big money corporate corruption - selling out our country, selling out our constitution.
They seem marginally better on civil rights and a few other issues - (and shit, I'll take that over what we have now - but still) I mean, only window dressing of the values our "president" has sworn to protect remain.
But as far as the things you mention (with the exception of the economy) - terrorism, outsourcing - most democrats have pretty crappy records on that stuff...Where do you think NAFTA came from? And as far as terrorism is concerned it still blows my mind that a lot of people accept the "official script" of 9/11. It's been proven over and over that much of the official story of what happened on 9/11 is bullshit.
I am not saying I have an answer (at least not one that makes me comfortable at this time) - I do agree that if third party candidates get the treatment by the media and the system that they have in every election since Ross Perot scared the two parties into making it even more difficult to get on the ballot (much less get any sort of honest media coverage) you may be right - they may only serve as a "spoiler."
But here is the real issue...Doesn't that piss you off? Why do you accept that? Why tolerate "voting for the lesser of two evils." Is that what you learned in civics class about how our republic works? Why is it tolerated that we have these big money assholes who lie and don't give a fuck about the people? When you think of America, freedom and all of those values that we supposedly portray to the world and then look at the reality - there is a disconnect; and the whole world sees it - The only people who don't see it are the same people who are in total denial and think that you should never question your government and should support your president no matter what even if he lies, steals and commits treason- these people have no understanding of history or of America - they'd do well in a dictatorship and they'll get their chance soon.
The reason these "seemingly innocuous" documents are being reclassified isn't because any one of them has a major significance; it's because they are all tiny little pieces of disparate information that may not mean much of their own, but taken in context with many other documents and facts they can be be put together to "paint a bigger picture."
This is by far not the only example, but here is one: In some cases that picture could show something like what the reality of some US policies (both acknowledged and unacknowledged) are/were - and that reality many times is much more harsh than they would like to lead the public to believe - and many times shows that some policies or events (especially US foreign policy in relation to places like centrel/south america as well as things which occurred as far as back WWII and the post war period)are/were completely opposite to things which are considered core "American values" (like promoting freedom and democracy, etc). This is just one aspect.
What these agencies have realized is that things have changed in regard to research; that how the internet and access to multitudes of documents and other sources/streams of information have made it possible for both credentialed and arm chair researchers alike to find, relate, assemble and analyze massive amounts of information in a way that (for the most part) was only available to intelligence agencies, governments and those with access to research libraries just 10 to 15 years ago.
I have read and heard from many sources about where the Anthrax strain originated - it's no surprise that the story was dropped.
If you suspect that the story about the microbiologists is untrue and are interested you may want to look into it. I guarantee you that it is indeed true. These weren't unknown people, and many of the stories have names, etc.
Censorship in this reference doesn't imply that the information is unavailable...You can google the terms ("microbiologist deaths" is one example) and will find a ton of information from diverse sources.
In the reference to "top censored stories" I am referring to specific publications (if you're interested I can give you the names) regarding the list of the top stories that were buried, covered and then quickly dropped, not reported on in a manner befitting their importance (I.E> a blurb on a back page of the newspaper), or not reported on at all.
In America the general public in most of cases just wont believe anything unless it's covered in the mainstream press. This is well known to those who would manipulate public opinion.
Are you kidding me? While I don't think it can be said definitively that it is "The Administration," many of the worlds top microbiologists have been murdered since 2001 - many of them with ties to the US military/intelligence research community (DynCorp and other US MIC entities).
The first stories appeared at the end of 2001 with 5 top microbiologists dying within approximately one month of each other, all were murdered or died suspiciously. By 3/2002 14 "world class" microbiologists had died in similar "muggings," murders or freak accidents.
By the beginning of 2005 the number had grown to over 40. It's not just people who worked in the field, these are prominent scientists, many with connections to biowarfare, the engineering of viruses, and the MIC.
Every year there are several watchdog type books and publications which list and rank the top censored or buried news stories of each year. This story has been among the top "censored" news stories almost every year since 2002.
If you doubt this information, check it out for yourself.
They did the right thing by resisting the subpoena in my opinion and I hope in most Americans opinions (if they value living in a free society).
The other thing is that their stock was (and still is) insanely overvalued.
I hope they stay the course and resist. It wouldn't surprise me if the "Justice" Department went after them under some bullshit pretense; especially with the government we have in the US now, one that has grown and gotten out of control over the years; one that does not represent the people and is unaccountable to them in any real way; one where dissent is being criminalized; one that is a racket; full of racketeers and corruption, (both institutionalized corruption that masquerades as legitmate government practices) and the completely illegal kind.
America. Heading deeper into fascism at record speed.
It'as a simple analogy, but in general I agree with you. The ultimate extreme for capitalism (especially the form of capitalism we have now) is basically fascism, or "corporatism" which is a term Mussolini claimed is a much more apppropriate term for fascism (and seems to be where we're at these days in the US).
Personally I don't know that we have ever seen a "true communist" country; at least none of the ones which were commonly called "communist" (especially by the US) Usually what we see is some form of totalitarian pseudo socialism. Communism doesn't mean totalitarianism.
If we use your argument and say that Orwell's "Animal Farm: is synonymous with the end result of several "communist" regimes - which makes sense to me; I think it's just as apt to say that Orwell's "1984" is what we end up withn when we see capitalism taken to it's ultimate extreme (at least the sort of "capitalism" we see in the western world today).
I have to say that it makes me queasy watching people who receive cease and desist letters just comply with them without puting up a fight; even if it is only until "a situation gets clarified." I am really mainly referring to cases where it is obvious that industry is trying to stifle free speech, or lock consumers into non open source alternatives - and especially where (like with nost of the RIAA lawsuits) they are trying to use their size and familiarity with the legal system (and staff of corporate lawyers) to try to simply intimidate citizens out of even attempting to fight for their rights.
Warner apologized because they "feared protest." Yet the developer still seems to be too intmidated to put his app back online at this stage.
Maybe that's not the case, I don't know - I have no idea what his personal situation is, and I am not tyring to suggest that he is spineless by complying with their order, maybe he just can't deal - I don't know and I do certain respect someone's right to respond to these things in whatever way makes sense for them personally...
- but I do certainly hope that most developers, artists, free thinkers, and everyone else who uses the web and forms of digital media/media creation and distribution tools to express themselves in any way shape or form would fight this sort of abuse; I know I would - and I wouldn't comply with shit just after receiving a letter.
If more people don't start standing up for their rights we're all going to get walked on, and there are plenty of bastards lining up to do it.
Certain agencies and individuals within the federal government love it that many (like you) believe that the government is "too incompetent" to pull anything shady off.
Obviously "they've" been competent enough to have the mainstream conciousness of entire nation deadened by bullshit fake massmedia manipulation.
Obviously "they've" been competent enough to use deceptive schemes to smash our divil liberties.
Obviously "they've" been competent enough to create this quagmire of a war under false pretenses, and though everybody knows that we were lied to and manipulated this bunch of criminals is still in power in the US.
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Unfortunately I think this is where we're all headed. Should you use the sort of evidence "the authorities" use against citizens to prove misconduct on their part and you are either a "terra-ist" or are violating felony wiretap laws...Even on your own property? wtf..
Maybe Mr Gannon should have said "The Camera is there to keep America safe from "terra-ists." - that seems to be the "get out of constitutional protections free card" du-jour...
Maybe Mr Gannon didn't know that America is fast becoming a fascist kleptocracy...
This just seems ridiculous, the guy was on his own property - I would think he'd have a better chance of pressing trespassing charges against the "officer" then some corrupt police department that is being terribly abusive with their autority would have of charging him with these felonies.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not down on all cops or law enforcement officers - there are some who do a great job and respect the law and constitution, but this kind of thing is becoming all to common.
Wow...This is an interesting conversation.
Obviously you'd never want to start resistance with arms, but the capability always has to be there and that is why the second amendment is so important. It is the guardian of our freedom and of the other amendments.
What has to happen at this point (and long before any armed resistance is considered) is that people have to be willing to go outside of their comfort zone (something that seems near impossible with today's America) - to refuse to work or take part in the system - To say "No" ; to have a general strike.. The way this tyrannical and institutionally corrupt government we have in the US now works is that they know that most Americans love convenience - so they use that to get their agendas passed - they make people want the very instruments of their own slavery/control. For example, soon they'll probably start offering benefits for people who are chipped - like maybe they wont have to wait in line to go through security at the airport, or maybe eventually you'll need a chip to be employed or to drive or whatever...You'll have to be willing to give up comfort and convenience - which most American's just wont do until it is completely clear it is a necessity to do so, and even then some just won't do it.
In order to not carry a national ID or be chipped you have to be willing to step away from the pack and accept inconvenience. They'll probably make it harder and harder to get by without having one - then eventually it will be a crime not to have one. Look at what they did with social security. I have my original card from the early 70s and it says in big letters across the bottom front "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES" - and people have forgotten but there was a lot of concern about this when the program started and they promised and made a big deal about how it would never be allowed to be used in this way and now look how it is used by the IRS, police, feds, corporate credit agencies (which are so enmeshed with government they might as well be considered government - and what is that form of government called when big business colludes with government to control the masses? It starts with an "f.")
This corporatist government is a master of manipulating the public. They use several techniques to get the public to accept restrictions and loss of liberty - one of which is that they create and/or take advantage of crisis situations to get the public to request "protection." They use agent provocateurs to discredit peace or patriot movements. And, like the parable you always hear about cooking a frog (if you drop a from in boiling water it will jump out immediately, but if you put it in lukewarm water and slowly turn up the heat the frog will slowly boil to death without protest) - when they want massive changes that people would never accept they do them incrementally and gradually.
If it ever comes down to that point (armed resistance - which unfortunately as more people are starting to realize could one day before long be within the realm of possibility) you don't have to outgun them. We weren't anywhere near outgunned in Vietnam and we aren't in Iraq now either...
You force the government's hand and make them show just how evil and ruthless they'll be - you win the hearts of the masses by letting the soldiers/govt do what they'll do - kill Americans who are standing up for the constitution and their freedom.
One thing Americans have been raised in is the belief that Americans fought against tyranny and declared our independence - we cherish this - it is such a part of our culture that hopefully once the masses of people realize just how tyrannical this government will become if nothing stops it they'll realize that we have to take our country back by whatever means necessary - but hopefully never with violence.
(By the way, as recent events have shown I am sure if groups of marines have no problem killing women and children civilians execution style I am quite sure troops can be found who would shoot Americans -
I applaud him for standing up and refusing this.
I think that the only time the government, authorities, whatever should be permitted to request a blood sample is when there has been a violent crime committed or the blood/DNA is central to proving the charge.
As far as asking whether DNA should be collected and put into a db like fingerprints - I would like to ask anyone who supports this - Are you fucking crazy?
This government cannot be trusted, period. They are a tyrannical abusive machine that views the public like cattle, and regardless of what reason they give for collecting biometric or actual biological information now, (whether it's for ID or any other purpose) you can bet that if it isn't put to ddevious use now it will be in the future. We don't even know what the future holds in regard to how this sort of information could be used.
If you'd like an example I can pull out my Social Security card - it's the original one from the early 70s, and it says in big letters at the bottom "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES."
I see a lot of people posing the question, "Do Americans even care?"
I think those who know anything about history do care.
As far as the majority of the public (espceially those who seem to be far more interested in things like who won their favorite reality TV show, which celebrity is screwing who etc) I predict (unfortunately) that they will not
care or really pay it much mind until it either affects them or someone they care about directly.
Flamebait or not, it's the truth. Obviously it's a truth some people are uncomfortable with.
No, we here (in the US) only ship people overseas for torture and other unconstitutional, uncivilized and pointless acts.
>>If this continues, eventually they'll just be sharing stupid home movies of people swinging light-sabers.
If that did actually happen, (which I don't find likely) then that would provide a more entertaining and and insight filled experience than 95% of the major studio crap that's coming out these days...
- and as for the people making quality (mostly independent) films, they'll still get their work out...
This is yet another blow in a long line of abuses by this government towards the people who they supposedly serve.
As others have noted it's unclear to many whether the government or the corporations are actually calling the shots - well, actually it's TOO clear.
Increasingly you hear people saying "vote out the incumbents" and similar sentiments, which are good - but the problem is that the entire system is broken - not the broken, but willfully corrupted, obscured, and backwards. This won't truly change anything anymore than simply wishing our government was the government we portray in our history books.
This will not be the last attack on your freedom, nor will it be anywhere near the type of stuff that is coming. With every step we take towards a completely authoritarian system the abuses and usurpations get bolder, the regard for your freedom and rights fade further away.
You cannot fix a broken and corrupted system by trying to work with the broken tools within the confines of that broken system where even the remedies provided for abuses are as broken as the system itself.
I'm not saying I have all of the answers, but I do think that unless people are willing to organize and do whatever is necessary to take our country back - to take risks and to stand up regardless of what others will think, regardless of the law or anything else - then we're doomed to end up wherever this ship of fools is headed.
I'm not suggesting armed revolution or anything that severe at this point, and on the other end of the spectrum I am not talking about something as ineffective as a simple protest where people stand around and hold signs - it's time to get creative.... a million people or more showing up in DC and marching into the capital building and occupying it until actions are taken to restore and preserve our rights....I don't know - that's just one thought and maybe not the answer, but something has to be done.
Wow, I am sure that Bush and company will finally be sleep soundly again. I am sure that their intense worry over our fundamental rights was awful for them to deal with; hell I bet that their anxiety over possible lost liberties was palpable...Probably way worse than spending a year at Gitmo.
- cause you know, Bush...he's a caring man.
- And a Christian....that's how I know he's good. Nobody would ever say they are a Christian who believes in freedom and then do all kinds of things that go against everything America and the civilized world stand for...No way.
People can either be good or bad - the TV tells me so.
Ah..yes. You're a good citizen photoboy...
- And for anyone who says differently...well, the gestap..uh, i mean homeland security protectors are always looking for someone to investigate for "terroristic thoughts."
- it's the best way to deal with people who disagree just make the the call to the anonymous "report on your neighbors" line and problem solved!
I just don't get these people who talk abut "freedom" all of the time. Don't they know that safety is the new freedom? I mean, without the government keeping us safe, who would protect us from the attacks our government stages to convince us we need more safety?
That it didn't even occur to me that it culd possibly be a joke at first because it is so in line with the escalating kind of behavior we're seeing from western fascist leaning governments these days.
/. got me.
What can I say...
It is my belief that pron on the internet has made the "smooth look" fashionable...If you know what I mean. No complaints here...
I agree; well said.
Unfortunately we have the same sort of thing to look forward to in the US.
This isn't really about porn, violence, or protecting children. It is about one thing and one thing only: Government control of information; period. If you believe otherwise you are being fooled.
I realize that there are a lot of people and lobbyist groups who would love to block porn and violence, and I am sure that is what this is about for those groups and I have no problem if these people wish to undertake these sort of solutions themselves as responsible parents etc - but as far as western governments are concerned this is about censorship.
Even if the reason they wanted to do this really was to "protect children" - forcing the entire country to conform to the lowest common denominator of what some consider to be decency is backwards as hell.
These are the same sorts of people who always talk about "morality," - note, to them "morality" is about whatever dogmatic belief they would like to impose on others; rather than being about truth, honesty, valor - trating others as you would like to be treated, the best parts of human nature and kindness etc.
We all need to pinch the shit out of the world and wake everyone up from this growing orwellian nightmare.
DO you really think the democrats are that different?
Yes - I would rather see anyone in power than this current group of neo-fascist criminal oligarchs, but unfortunately in a lot of ways the democratic party has proven to be just another branch on the same tree of big money corporate corruption - selling out our country, selling out our constitution.
They seem marginally better on civil rights and a few other issues - (and shit, I'll take that over what we have now - but still) I mean, only window dressing of the values our "president" has sworn to protect remain.
But as far as the things you mention (with the exception of the economy) - terrorism, outsourcing - most democrats have pretty crappy records on that stuff...Where do you think NAFTA came from? And as far as terrorism is concerned it still blows my mind that a lot of people accept the "official script" of 9/11. It's been proven over and over that much of the official story of what happened on 9/11 is bullshit.
I am not saying I have an answer (at least not one that makes me comfortable at this time) - I do agree that if third party candidates get the treatment by the media and the system that they have in every election since Ross Perot scared the two parties into making it even more difficult to get on the ballot (much less get any sort of honest media coverage) you may be right - they may only serve as a "spoiler."
But here is the real issue...Doesn't that piss you off? Why do you accept that? Why tolerate "voting for the lesser of two evils." Is that what you learned in civics class about how our republic works? Why is it tolerated that we have these big money assholes who lie and don't give a fuck about the people? When you think of America, freedom and all of those values that we supposedly portray to the world and then look at the reality - there is a disconnect; and the whole world sees it - The only people who don't see it are the same people who are in total denial and think that you should never question your government and should support your president no matter what even if he lies, steals and commits treason- these people have no understanding of history or of America - they'd do well in a dictatorship and they'll get their chance soon.
The reason these "seemingly innocuous" documents are being reclassified isn't because any one of them has a major significance; it's because they are all tiny little pieces of disparate information that may not mean much of their own, but taken in context with many other documents and facts they can be be put together to "paint a bigger picture."
This is by far not the only example, but here is one: In some cases that picture could show something like what the reality of some US policies (both acknowledged and unacknowledged) are/were - and that reality many times is much more harsh than they would like to lead the public to believe - and many times shows that some policies or events (especially US foreign policy in relation to places like centrel/south america as well as things which occurred as far as back WWII and the post war period)are/were completely opposite to things which are considered core "American values" (like promoting freedom and democracy, etc). This is just one aspect.
What these agencies have realized is that things have changed in regard to research; that how the internet and access to multitudes of documents and other sources/streams of information have made it possible for both credentialed and arm chair researchers alike to find, relate, assemble and analyze massive amounts of information in a way that (for the most part) was only available to intelligence agencies, governments and those with access to research libraries just 10 to 15 years ago.
I have read and heard from many sources about where the Anthrax strain originated - it's no surprise that the story was dropped. If you suspect that the story about the microbiologists is untrue and are interested you may want to look into it. I guarantee you that it is indeed true. These weren't unknown people, and many of the stories have names, etc.
Censorship in this reference doesn't imply that the information is unavailable...You can google the terms ("microbiologist deaths" is one example) and will find a ton of information from diverse sources.
In the reference to "top censored stories" I am referring to specific publications (if you're interested I can give you the names) regarding the list of the top stories that were buried, covered and then quickly dropped, not reported on in a manner befitting their importance (I.E> a blurb on a back page of the newspaper), or not reported on at all.
In America the general public in most of cases just wont believe anything unless it's covered in the mainstream press. This is well known to those who would manipulate public opinion.
Are you kidding me? While I don't think it can be said definitively that it is "The Administration," many of the worlds top microbiologists have been murdered since 2001 - many of them with ties to the US military/intelligence research community (DynCorp and other US MIC entities).
The first stories appeared at the end of 2001 with 5 top microbiologists dying within approximately one month of each other, all were murdered or died suspiciously. By 3/2002 14 "world class" microbiologists had died in similar "muggings," murders or freak accidents.
By the beginning of 2005 the number had grown to over 40. It's not just people who worked in the field, these are prominent scientists, many with connections to biowarfare, the engineering of viruses, and the MIC.
Every year there are several watchdog type books and publications which list and rank the top censored or buried news stories of each year. This story has been among the top "censored" news stories almost every year since 2002.
If you doubt this information, check it out for yourself.
They did the right thing by resisting the subpoena in my opinion and I hope in most Americans opinions (if they value living in a free society).
The other thing is that their stock was (and still is) insanely overvalued.
I hope they stay the course and resist. It wouldn't surprise me if the "Justice" Department went after them under some bullshit pretense; especially with the government we have in the US now, one that has grown and gotten out of control over the years; one that does not represent the people and is unaccountable to them in any real way; one where dissent is being criminalized; one that is a racket; full of racketeers and corruption, (both institutionalized corruption that masquerades as legitmate government practices) and the completely illegal kind.
America. Heading deeper into fascism at record speed.
It'as a simple analogy, but in general I agree with you. The ultimate extreme for capitalism (especially the form of capitalism we have now) is basically fascism, or "corporatism" which is a term Mussolini claimed is a much more apppropriate term for fascism (and seems to be where we're at these days in the US).
Personally I don't know that we have ever seen a "true communist" country; at least none of the ones which were commonly called "communist" (especially by the US) Usually what we see is some form of totalitarian pseudo socialism. Communism doesn't mean totalitarianism.
If we use your argument and say that Orwell's "Animal Farm: is synonymous with the end result of several "communist" regimes - which makes sense to me; I think it's just as apt to say that Orwell's "1984" is what we end up withn when we see capitalism taken to it's ultimate extreme (at least the sort of "capitalism" we see in the western world today).
I have to say that it makes me queasy watching people who receive cease and desist letters just comply with them without puting up a fight; even if it is only until "a situation gets clarified." I am really mainly referring to cases where it is obvious that industry is trying to stifle free speech, or lock consumers into non open source alternatives - and especially where (like with nost of the RIAA lawsuits) they are trying to use their size and familiarity with the legal system (and staff of corporate lawyers) to try to simply intimidate citizens out of even attempting to fight for their rights.
Warner apologized because they "feared protest." Yet the developer still seems to be too intmidated to put his app back online at this stage.
Maybe that's not the case, I don't know - I have no idea what his personal situation is, and I am not tyring to suggest that he is spineless by complying with their order, maybe he just can't deal - I don't know and I do certain respect someone's right to respond to these things in whatever way makes sense for them personally...
- but I do certainly hope that most developers, artists, free thinkers, and everyone else who uses the web and forms of digital media/media creation and distribution tools to express themselves in any way shape or form would fight this sort of abuse; I know I would - and I wouldn't comply with shit just after receiving a letter.
If more people don't start standing up for their rights we're all going to get walked on, and there are plenty of bastards lining up to do it.
divil=civil. (feel free to make any/all cracks at this time)
Who is "The Government?"
Certain agencies and individuals within the federal government love it that many (like you) believe that the government is "too incompetent" to pull anything shady off.
Obviously "they've" been competent enough to have the mainstream conciousness of entire nation deadened by bullshit fake massmedia manipulation.
Obviously "they've" been competent enough to use deceptive schemes to smash our divil liberties.
Obviously "they've" been competent enough to create this quagmire of a war under false pretenses, and though everybody knows that we were lied to and manipulated this bunch of criminals is still in power in the US.
Yeah...they're totally incompetent.