I'm afraid of my own country...

[Zebulon]

It's finally happened, and now I don't know what to do.

I was looking up some facts about the Maher Arar case (Google it, it's scary), when I came across Amnesty Internationals site. On it, it talks about how the government can use the threat of deportation and torture to quell any types of uprisings against US policy. Read it here. There's also a link down the bottom where you can send an email to the President, telling him that you don't believe this practice is right. I was going to do it.

And then I stopped.

I started thinking about having my name on a list.

I used to laugh those types of ideas off as stupid. Who would care about me, right? I'm no threat to anyone or anything. I can mouth off all day and noone would care at all. It's stupid to be worried about that type of thing.

But I still didn't send that e-mail, now did I...

The more I thought about it, the more worried I got. Not in the "They're out to get me" sense, but in the "I'm actually worried that my freedom of speech could be used against me" kind of way. I never thought of freedon of speech as a weapon to be used against me before. It's scary.

"Let them say whatever they want! Flaunt it as a basic freedom!! Then, when they dig themselves in nice and deep as a terrorist loving, anti-American, non-correct-thinking scumbag, we nail em."

Again, I type those words and I cringe. Soon I'll be wearing a tinfoil hat to keep our the mind-control rays, right? But still...

They can track our book usage by our library cards. They just voted to extend that for the next 10 years. They can do roving wire taps without the normal due process involved in getting them. The FBI has files on Greenpeace and Amnesty International. They can pick you up and transport you to foreign soil for torture. They can hold you in Cuba without a trial.

So I don't click that button, and I worry. I worry about my future, my kids, my job, my mortgage application. I worry about my country.

Someone please explain to me why I'm being paranoid and crazy. PLEASE.

 

[mikhail]

perhaps your a thought criminal

 

[mikhail]

To be honest the western world is going through a very unsteady balance right now.

On the hand we wanna stop terrorism

but we dont wanna protect are freedom by giving up are freedoms.

Cant be to right wing that we end up becoming tyrants but.

but dont wanna be so liberal we lose by being cowardly.

 

[ShamMol]

Welcome to the world of AI, join up and find out even more. I am sure there is a town around you with a local chapter (I'm in the Loyola chapter of Los Angeles right now).

 

[Zebulon]

Welcome to the world of AI, join up and find out even more. I am sure there is a town around you with a local chapter (I'm in the Loyola chapter of Los Angeles right now).

I'm... not sure how to respond to this. I have the feeling that what I was posting was missed by you. Thank you for the invite to AI, though. Maybe later.

 

[IValueFreedom]

Okay, let's see if I make things a little better, or a little worse for you okay?


Amnisty International is a left wing biased organization. Now before you think that I'm a conservative, I assure you, I'm anything but.

This company has set out on a mission to destroy Bush. I wouldn't mind seeing it happen, but I have lost all respect for this organization.

Every year they publish a report on the worst states towards humanitarian rights. This year they published the United States as the top violator of humanitarian rights. But, in the press conference revealing the report someone asked why we were number one, the answer was that we were actually nuber 70 something (number a little fuzzy, but we weren't close to the top). They felt that Bush was a violator of human rights (which is true) on a massive scale, and as bad publicity, felt they would put pressure on the white house an an unpopular war by having the U.S. as number one.

This is horrible, they threw out all precedence and the rules at which THEY DETERMINED HOW TO JUDGE, and just decided to post who they wanted at the top to send a message. Left, right or moderate, this is never acceptable.

Now, to other things, yes in the USA PATRIOT Act (the worst legislation to pass in 50 years), there is the right to look at library books, but it requires the signature of the head of the CIA. They can't do when they want to, it's like an executive order for dropping the bomb. Captains in the army don't determine when to drop the bomb just as regular agents don't determine when to violate your rights as Americans (Only the Director says that!).

As for housing suspects in other countries? That's true. The latest poll I've seen that at least 30 have been thus far. The U.S. can put a lot of political power on another country, much like someone pushing around their chips at a poker table, so yeah, it's wrong and horrible.

So, in summing up... yeah, there's a lot of crappy things out there lead by a guy who sucks, but the world isn't all bad. The news tends to only give you the extremes

If I were you, I hang out with the kids tonight!

 

[Simon W. Moon]

And then I stopped.
I started thinking about having my name on a list.
I used to laugh those types of ideas off as stupid. Who would care about me, right? I'm no threat to anyone or anything. I can mouth off all day and noone would care at all. It's stupid to be worried about that type of thing.
But I still didn't send that e-mail, now did I...

W/o getting into a discussion of Mr. Arar's situation...

Don't be a putz. People have died for your right to send that email. If it's what you believe, then you have an obligation and a duty as an American to tell the govt to get stuffed.
Sure you might be taking a risk. But, you're taking a greater risk by sitting on your hands about an issue you earnestly think needs to be addressed.

As Americans we all have an ethical, moral and patriotic duty to tell the govt where to get off when they need telling. This is one of the fundamental liberties that make us free.

If you putz out then the bad elements in govt have won.

Sending an email really isn't that much to ask. Be brave, hit 'submit'.

 

[teacher]

Again, I type those words and I cringe. Soon I'll be wearing a tinfoil hat to keep our the mind-control rays, right? But still...

Ah....you said it, not me. Use double thickness just to be safe. A 6 quart stainless steel kitchen pot works well also the guys at "9/11 was an inside job" tell me. Talk to Christopher Brooks, he can get you a good deal. My advice-send the E-mail.

 

[Connecticutter]

If you feel strongly about something, send the e-mail. This is America, and we have that right. If you feel that you are losing your rights, that's all the more reason to send the e-mail.

Think about how many extremist and opposition groups are allowed the US that the government doesn't bother. There are socialists and communists. There are probably people who supported the Iraqi insurgency against US troops. Hey - Amnesty International is allowed their say - and no one is going after them.

So don't worry about it.

 

[Zebulon]

Thanks, guys (even Simon for calling me a putz).

The stainless (with copper bottom) is working, and my meds have kicked in, so I'm feeling much better. :mrgreen:

LET them put me on a list, I'll be in good company.

 

[teacher]

Thanks, guys (even Simon for calling me a putz).

The stainless (with copper bottom) is working, and my meds have kicked in, so I'm feeling much better. :mrgreen:

LET them put me on a list, I'll be in good company.

No no, copper is a conductor of conspiracy brain waves.


Is that you Billo?....Oh sorry lady, didn't mean to startle your shaved dog walking back wards......Billo?

 

[Simon W. Moon]

Do tinfoil helmets provide adequate protection against mind control rays?

[If] ...you cover only a portion of yourself with the helmet, not only will the cage not shield you, the edges of the helmet will serve as an antenna, broadcasting your innermost thoughts (or electromagnetic traces thereof) to the world.
​

 

[teacher]

Do tinfoil helmets provide adequate protection against mind control rays?

[If] ...you cover only a portion of yourself with the helmet, not only will the cage not shield you, the edges of the helmet will serve as an antenna, broadcasting your innermost thoughts (or electromagnetic traces thereof) to the world.
​

And you all thought I was nuts....I mean wrong. If there's a link it must be true. Just ask: naptowntruthseeker, alan, arussian, and the rest of the tin foil hat crew over at "9/11 was an inside job".

 

[drinch]

You know, every citizen of any country can say someth. like:" I'm afraid of my own country". And US is not the worst one

 

[Youve Got To Be Kidding!]

If you feel strongly about something, send the e-mail. This is America, and we have that right. If you feel that you are losing your rights, that's all the more reason to send the e-mail.

Think about how many extremist and opposition groups are allowed the US that the government doesn't bother. There are socialists and communists. There are probably people who supported the Iraqi insurgency against US troops. Hey - Amnesty International is allowed their say - and no one is going after them.

So don't worry about it.

You dont have that right. That is why reporters are in prison and being threatendd with prison like NEVER BEFORE.

 

[Connecticutter]

You dont have that right. That is why reporters are in prison and being threatendd with prison like NEVER BEFORE.

That's BS. Don't listen to him. Send the e-mail.

I don't see reporters being thrown into a poltical prison, this is only in your delusional mind.

 

[drinch]

Have you ever heard about certain countries, which create terrible criminal situations, on purpose of staging dozens of political assassinations which could be easy to represent as an every-day crime without any political background?
What do you think about countries, where ¾ of former political elites got to be repressed after they?ve lost elections by winners, who actually nothing but split from the same criminal power.
So,I'm afraid of MY own country...

 

[jamesrage]

Someone please explain to me why I'm being paranoid and crazy. PLEASE.

You are not paranoid.When some flags are raised, people are watched.They are watching you.HA HA HA.