Department Of Homeland Security

Just to shift gears, I heard yesterday in the Times that they did pass the department in the Senate, or they're expected to, or some such thing. Bush shat in the face of unions (not that I'm terribly fond of them myself) for hiring in this department, but the Dems got a token oversight board for union complaints.

So now that we're finally getting this department, what does everyone think? Expanded powers of law enforcement, with Ashcroft and his civil-rights-trampling cronies at the helm. I'm not being partisan at all, I'm wondering if this department will actually do some good, and whether it WILL (and yes I believe it will) have adverse affects on industries and types of businesses the current administration does not like.

How soon before the terrorist threat has subsided and suddenly child porn or obscenity is a threat to our 'homeland security' ?

C.

[Vick]

"The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter, they are an entire banquet."

[sextoyking]

Vick,

that's a Perl!!!

[Vick]

Thanks Todd - but I can't take credit for it
It's Mark Twain

[EricP]

Just another place to funnel money that will 'disappear'.

And of course no one will know where it went.





Last edited by EricP at Nov 13 2002, 03:44 PM

[T-Rav]

Good one Vick...

I hate the idea of Homeland Security. That is all I am going to say.

[RawAlex]

Just what the US needs: Another super police force that won't cooperate with any other of the super police forces.

Only this time, we get one that the Attn General can meddle with directly.

JOY!

[Winetalk.com]

Originally posted by RawAlex@Nov 13 2002, 04:07 PM
Just what the US needs: Another super police force that won't cooperate with any other of the super police forces.

Only this time, we get one that the Attn General can meddle with directly.

JOY!

RawAlex, don't worry, the prevailing attitude among americans is
Fuck stupid canadiens

you are safe!
;-)

[Mike AI]

I do not think homeland security is going to have any new police forces, it is just taking agencies spread out over 5-6 different departments and bring them under 1 Cabinet Level posistion.

Cal, you should are paranoid, I do not think after the terrorist threat is gone ( will it ever be gone?), that they will turn it to go after liberals, pornographers, homosexuals, etc....

[T-Rav]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 13 2002, 05:09 PM
I do not think homeland security is going to have any new police forces, it is just taking agencies spread out over 5-6 different departments and bring them under 1 Cabinet Level posistion.

Cal, you should are paranoid, I do not think after the terrorist threat is gone ( will it ever be gone?), that they will turn it to go after liberals, pornographers, homosexuals, etc....

Yes, the terrorist threat is gone.

Why do we need a NEW agency to spy on the citizens?

Of course if we plan on a good old fashion witch hunt, like the McCarthy era...maybe we need Homeland Security to make the case against whoever it is we are going to persecute.

It has happened before, and it can happen again. Just because you look at that possibility and fight against it does not make you paranoid.

Mike,

Everyone is talking about Ashcroft gearing up for a new round of obscenity legislation, and even conservatives agree he has gone too far with TIPS and others (many of which he was forced to repeal under intense scrutiny.) I thought most of the conservatives on this board were in favor of personal autonomy, but you don't mind this 'shadow government' type office that answers only to the president?

Don't get me wrong I am actually quite strongly in favor of the military, but I want it to be used for the good of everyone. That includes policing our borders, maybe I'm naive but the whole not wanting to use military on our own soil (opting for law enforcement, not sure the name of that particular Act) doesn't strike me as all that important. Israel and many other countries use military troops on their own soil for security purposes.

I sure hope that system of checks and balances we all agree is there works in this case!

C.

[wig]

Paranoia self destroyer.

[Winetalk.com]

Originally posted by T-Rav@Nov 13 2002, 05:26 PM

Yes, the terrorist threat is gone.

Why don't you tell that to the relatives of 250 australians perished in Bali?

if you sell it to them,
I'll buy it too...

Originally posted by wig@Nov 13 2002, 02:36 PM
Paranoia self destroyer.

I heard the Muleskinner lobby was big in this homeland security department. I bet you're trying to still all those HONEST *cough* union jobs from our hardworking Americans!

The liberals will eat you alive.

:grrr:

C.

[Mike AI]

Everyone is talking about Ashcroft gearing up for a new round of obscenity legislation, and even conservatives agree he has gone too far with TIPS and others (many of which he was forced to repeal under intense scrutiny.)

Everyone? I have not read anything new about obscenity issues in a long time. I try to keep up with all of this. Can you show me the articles that is is talked about? Or maybe some sample legislation, a bill going through congress?

This is mere speculation - trying to scare people and demonize Ashcroft and hence the Bush administration.

quote from xxxlaw.net:

Updated October 25, 2002: Attorney General Ashcroft Gearing Up Justice Department for Prosecution of Adult Obscenity, Including Internet sites. The Justice Department convened a National Obscenity Law Enforcement Conference at a DOJ facility, the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, on June 6-7, 2002, to map a policy and guidelines for the prosecution of materials, including online materials, described as "obscene". On May 7, Mr. Ashcroft transmitted an invitation to all 94 US Attorneys under his own signature, stating, "[T]he proliferation of obscenity, both via the Internet as well as through more traditional channels, has become a pervasive and destructive element in our society. I am committed fully to dedicating the resources necessary to combat this burgeoning problem." Mr. Ashcroft himself spoke to the gathering on June 6, 2002, asserting that the adult industry has ties to organized crime and invoking the right of the nation to "maintain a decent society." A full report of these and other related matters, including links to source documents, is running currently in AVN Online's online edition under the name Just Speaking Freely in Montreal: The Words of the Prophets. We believe this article to be mandatory reading for everybody who makes a living in adult erotic materials in online, video, and print media. Current clients have been provided our 24-hour pager numbers in the event of any legal emergency. UPDATE: "The Words of the Profits" appears in the October, 2002 print edition of AVN ONLINE.

http://www.avnonline.com/issues/200207/new...rger_july.shtml

I was embellishing a little, but a lot of people are worried. People without the money to defend themselves at least. But hey the lawyers love stuff like this!

C.

[wig]

Originally posted by Cal+Nov 13 2002, 05:50 PM-->