Under Siege
It is very disturbing at a time when our gummint and its "leader" claim to be all about "freedom" and "values" that a group like the ACLU is targeted by the FBI. I've discussed the parallels (here too) to COINTELPRO (for more on COINTELPRO, this site and this site are rather illuminating) in today's society before, as well as efforts to monitor and intimidate individuals and groups exercising their First Amendment rights. But this article in the San Francisco Chronicle is rather disturbing. Why in the world, with all the threats, real and potential, that we face, in addition to the FBI's own workload in combating crime (which is what it *really* should be doing), is the FBI collecting information on civil rights and anti-war groups??? (Yes, I know that last sentence was NOT a model of English grammar, but this is a blog, not a textbook! *grin*)
For that matter, why aren't groups on the other side of the political spectrum joining in this challenge? Maybe because the FBI isn't gathering information on them? Why is it EVERY time I read something about First Amendment rights being violated, it's always against civil rights groups, anti-war groups, and similar proponents of justice, progressive politics, and fair play?
Why are values like "peace" and "equality" so scorned? Can someone tell me that? Is war really that wonderful that we should want to fight all the time? Is being a second-class citizen in a country founded on the premise of equality something we should tolerate? Is a nation that established the Bill of Rights really ready to turn its back on that foundation? The more and more I learn about the actions of the last few years, the more I believe people just don't care anymore. It's come down to the lowest common denominator: one's wallet. How one is economically faring trumps all. Greed is paramount. I never cared much for the film, but Gordon Gekko's pronouncement in "Wall Street" rings presciently: "Greed is good." Hillary Clinton blathers about a village. "Man-Dog Sex" Santorum and his ilk blather about families. But I think the truth is people have abandoned their communities, and the larger "family" that is all of us has been ignored. Both Democrats and Republicans alike are chasing the almighty dollar, chasing some fantasy of total security, and trampling true freedoms in the process. By permitting the government to spy on some of us, we are in effect saying it's okay for the government to spy on *any* of us.
The concept of dissent and civil disobedience shouldn't be anathema to Americans: there have been many examples of such throughout our history, and in many cases, have led to positive changes in this country. We champion these ideals so much that our gummint and its proponents claim this is why we're over in Iraq right now. If this is true, then why does the ACLU need to file suit claiming political surveillance? I talk about parallels to COINTELPRO, but if what the ACLU and Greenpeace among others asserts is true, I think COINTELPRO is back, and our First Amendment rights are under siege. Is that okay with you? It isn't okay with me.
Again, as my e-mail sig says: "You could say that you are fighting for democracy abroad, but if you lose democracy at home, what have you won?" - Frank Emi, 1944
For that matter, why aren't groups on the other side of the political spectrum joining in this challenge? Maybe because the FBI isn't gathering information on them? Why is it EVERY time I read something about First Amendment rights being violated, it's always against civil rights groups, anti-war groups, and similar proponents of justice, progressive politics, and fair play?
Why are values like "peace" and "equality" so scorned? Can someone tell me that? Is war really that wonderful that we should want to fight all the time? Is being a second-class citizen in a country founded on the premise of equality something we should tolerate? Is a nation that established the Bill of Rights really ready to turn its back on that foundation? The more and more I learn about the actions of the last few years, the more I believe people just don't care anymore. It's come down to the lowest common denominator: one's wallet. How one is economically faring trumps all. Greed is paramount. I never cared much for the film, but Gordon Gekko's pronouncement in "Wall Street" rings presciently: "Greed is good." Hillary Clinton blathers about a village. "Man-Dog Sex" Santorum and his ilk blather about families. But I think the truth is people have abandoned their communities, and the larger "family" that is all of us has been ignored. Both Democrats and Republicans alike are chasing the almighty dollar, chasing some fantasy of total security, and trampling true freedoms in the process. By permitting the government to spy on some of us, we are in effect saying it's okay for the government to spy on *any* of us.
The concept of dissent and civil disobedience shouldn't be anathema to Americans: there have been many examples of such throughout our history, and in many cases, have led to positive changes in this country. We champion these ideals so much that our gummint and its proponents claim this is why we're over in Iraq right now. If this is true, then why does the ACLU need to file suit claiming political surveillance? I talk about parallels to COINTELPRO, but if what the ACLU and Greenpeace among others asserts is true, I think COINTELPRO is back, and our First Amendment rights are under siege. Is that okay with you? It isn't okay with me.
Again, as my e-mail sig says: "You could say that you are fighting for democracy abroad, but if you lose democracy at home, what have you won?" - Frank Emi, 1944
posted by Mr. Sandman | 6:24 PM
<< Home