America the fascist state
 

There exists a case right now, where a citizen is being charged with "wiretapping" for videotaping the police beating the hell out of another citizen.

The whole article only concentrates on the videotaping and audiotaping aspect. It completely leaves the fact out that a citizen is being jailed for catching bad cops that BEAT A CITIZEN WITH A FLASHLIGHT. No good deed goes unpunished.

How many years until America is a total police state?

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,6171933.story
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.s...ideograph.html
http://www.presstv.com/usdetail/192349.html

I saw a videoa few weeks ago (not sure if it's the same one you're talking about) where a woman was standing in her front yard and filmed police beating up a person. They arrested her on her own property without any warrant or reasonable justification just for having video taped them.

Land of the free and the brave indeed.

Instead of thinking of this as a fascist state, think of it as a corrupt local force overstepping their bounds. Somewhere, a lawyer is rubbing his hands and planning to buy a new yacht; that would not be possible in a fascist state.

Somehow, that doesn't seem like enough, if that's the only difference.

usa! Usa!

Cases of the police arresting folks for taking pictures and videos of police actions in public do seen to be increasing.

Todd was discussing this sort of stuff in his podcast today.

One does wonder what the police are afraid of if they are just doing their jobs. They seem quite happy to appear on COPS.

COPS is generally on the TV channel that FOX is on, which is a conservative channel. They are very unlikely to show brutality from police officers.

Also, these things I would consider terrible and a bad thing to do. However, in federal cases sometimes I think hiding these things are better. Nobody really wants to know what goes down at G. Bay or Area 51 do they? It might be actual aliens, and if the public knew this could be detrimental to the U.S. overall, not just the government.

(grin) The whole point of COPS is to paint the police in a good light. I would never expect an incident of police misconduct to show up there.

As regards Gitmo, frankly, it would be better to know. A cover-up never prevented a crime.

As to Area 51, check out this:

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/17/136356...os-or-the-ussr

There is a lot of FUD on the news since they are biased toward their own agenda.

You don't really think that lady will spend a day in jail do you? She will end up with maybe $10,000 out of the whole deal.

Sure cops make mistakes but it is still RED BLOODED GOD FEARING AMERICANS that sit on juries. Stupid stuff like this just doesn't get by the courts too often unless idiots get in the jury pool. Look, if you wear aluminum foil on your head, don't show up for jury duty.

Wiretapping laws are clear on this subject and this is not one for that law. Wiretapping is the unauthorized recording of a "WIRE" ed connection.

Just the threat of arrest is enough to deter most persons from doing something that is ultimately completely legal.

I am a socialist and an Atheist so....

there are not quite "goose stepping" in front of the Reichstag (read - white house) YET

however the GOP would just love to have a very far right christian state
"W" came close but did not start a new "crusade " and did not take Jerusalem

I might be time for a NEW "Boston tea party " ( not the GOP's tea-party)

But it is time to get OUR COUNTRY back and start a NEW Revelation

You've got to be joking.

Lawyers might not have done quite as well as they do in the US, but I'm sure that there were several nazi lawyers who bought yachts in the 1933-1940 era (though technically the nazis are not fascists) and Italian lawyers who did the same in 1922-1940.

Its not just this one cases, there are others were law enforment officals are using the 'wiretapping' laws-

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/201...59019675.shtml
http://gizmodo.com/5553765/are-cameras-the-new-guns

Even cop on cop action (in a station house!) is getting the same BS applied-

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.s...pervisors.html

When you have police using the system to avoid 'professional problems' (with no legal ramifications), and states are changing laws to 'protect' police (in a way that the rest of us are not afforded) IMO you are pushing towards fascism/national socalism.

I thought all that was from GW Bush "Homeland Security" procedures...the New World Order is taking shape!

Let's not forget that every area of government has their own legal team to help them interpret the various rules and policies coming down from on high - if the wiretapping laws are open to abuse then the laws are poorly written. If the laws make it legal to remove citizen's rights under other laws, then you the people need to act to have the laws amended.

A few more months by my estimates.

My local rag had a fairly reasonable editorial on this topic this morning, triggered by a case in which a cop's shirt-mounted camera disproved claims of misconduct against him by someone he arrested:

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/vide...a-every-corner

I am from India and live there.

The point is that an atmosphere is created where the cops can get away with anything. This is not new and has around at least since the Rodney King case.

To quote from the Wikipedia article.
While we may say that , we have to acknowledge that at least in democratic countries there is a clear possibility of redressing the fault.

OK

Yet another anti-America post. How original...

Would it be better to write about such things only if they happen in a different country?
Seriously, a country that plays world police, calls it self "god's own country" and claims to be the land of the free where all citizens are equal and have the same rights will obviously be more criticized than a country where everybody knows that it is a unjust (police) state when things like that happen.

Regardless of what I think about any country, I'm not going to start a thread about how horrible it is. Especially when there are more than enough articles, blogs, posts, etc. about how bad America is to the rest of the world. Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion... I just don't see the purpose of beating a dead horse.

So basically what I am saying is that it's better to simply not write about things unless you can help offer solutions. Especially when the problem is already well known and well documented. Yes, this is a big problem. We have known this for years. Offer a solution.

Simple solution, if the cops can't behave like they should in their job then fire them. In any other job this works, why isn't that done with cops? And if the judges are not able to do their job in a proper way then fire them, too. What's is so hard about that?
The job of both professional categories is to protect the citizens and to enforce the law. When they can't do that they are useless, exchange them against people that are able to do that.

There's one isolated incident in country other than yours and the discussion most likely won't affect the situation in any way. Why bother?

I think we will all have to agree that the world is just a SH***Y place... The haves are always out to get more, and the have nots will always be trampled. Regardless of where you call home. It's a freakin' joke. One day, perhaps we will all develop to the point that we learn to treat each other with respect worldwide.

@SigTerm: So your statement is actually: If it is not in my country, and the discussion about it will not change anything, why should I care?
Isn't that a bit too easy? And who says that discussions about a topic will change nothing? Isn't it enough when one person is motivated to think a bit more about it and may be discuss it with other people?
Sorry, but (in danger of Godwin's law) we had the "What should it bother me, I am not directly affected?"-attitude in the last century here in Germany, and we all know how it ended. Why should I tolerate something like that now in a different country?

As we say here: Wehret den Anfängen!
Freely translated: Defend against the beginnings!

I'm not against America / USA. I am against what it has become. When I was young, things were different, I viewed it differently. Things have changed.

The only thing I can say here in defense of America (full disclosure: I am an American citizen ... and, pardon me, damn pleased so to be ...) is that, "for all its warts," this is a nation in which conversations like this can be engaged-in, and legal battles like these can be fought, and ... well ... "even though we fought and failed, and perchance we made utter idiots of ourselves in the process of doing so, by gawd, we tried." Maybe just maybe there is a positive lesson to be learned from that.

(And, even if there is not: I'm gonna go to bed tonight secure in the knowledge that jack-booted storm troopers are not going to make utter idiots of themselves by interrupting my slumber.)

Is there real take-home value in that? Ahem. "Yes. Duh." ;)

Every nation on this lonely orbiting planet is, when the space-dust finally settles, "an experiment made by its citizens." An experiment in self-governance. (Several tens or hundreds of millions of individuals stake "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" into every one of those "experiments.") There are no instruction manuals, and there are no rules. Every such "experiment" is (of course...) different, but may I submit to say that "the American experiment" ... although it is very definitely a work in progress ... has not been, altogether, unsuccessful...

Fair enough?

"Okay. So maybe we screwed up. (Your nation did too. Phhlphhtt... So there... ;) ) Maybe we even screwed-up royally... But..." We're all in this crazy thing together, now aren't we?

this kind of attitude is exactly what is turning the U.S. into a police state
any time any one points out an abuse of power on any level they are quickly labeled
anti-America

it's a tactic used by those with out counter facts to argue with
mislabel the facts then attack the messenger

I wish I could attack the mind set with it being misconstrued as insulting the victim of the mind set

there is no way in hell to come up with solutions without talking about problems

here is a solution revolution first
then bring back accountability
from the cop that beat rodney king to bush including corporation CEOs and managers let the unemployed workers sue the corporations for shipping there jobs over seas

Here is the newest development:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,2282406.story

She recorded the cops and now faces 15 years. Go america the fascist nation!

Protect and Serve = Harass and Terrorize

The ACLU has tried to get this ridiculous law dropped -- and the Federal Fascism court has dropped the attempt both times.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news...s_118_yea.html

Cop gets 15 years for killing a citizen while off duty.

Guy who shoots *at* cops gets 145 years.

I'm 67 years old but I have to admit that the Real U.S.A. died along with President John F. Kennedy on
the very same Dallas day. When I was in high school in 1960 my history teacher had some of us read the
constitution of the U.S.S.R. to show us that what is on paper is usually never practiced by any government.

Well, I'm a Marine Corps combat veteran of this evil fascist country. I've seen combat in and lost close friends in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Before you say something, I don't give a damn what your opinion is on either of those two wars. And as a "rabid, pillaging stormtrooper" of this "evil and fascist" America... I am absolutely damn proud of it as a whole. And not only am I proud of it... As far as I am concerned, it's still the greatest country in the world to live in. So there. Everyone else gives there opinion and I give mine. Don't like America? Don't do business with us anymore. But also, don't ask us for help... ever. Because you wouldn't want the help of a bunch of fascist pigs, right? Now... You may continue previous anti-American rhetoric. Have a wonderful day.

First of all. Thank you ramkatral for your service to America and to Americans. It is people like you and all the good cops and good lawyers and good teachers and good whatevers that keep America the best place to live. When I look at America I still see Americans.

You forgot one thing. What holds true about the Kennedy era Vietnam holds true today. If you don't like America, get the (explicative) out!

To the rest, I think you guys need to consider some minerals or vitamins in your diet. Might try some water from Mineral Wells Texas. It is supposed to help people that have lithium missing from their diet. Something. The posts kind of sound kooky.

There were five political assassinations during the 1960s that changed the USA into today's USA. The US is falling and she can't get up.

Here's something before I leave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_-lz...layer_embedded

As a former U.S. Marine myself (E-5, MOS 0311), I can address this. While I agree that the "fascist"-label posters have their heads mostly where the sun doesn't shine, you have to admit that the Iraq war, a gratuitous war rushed into because the Shrub wanted to avenge daddy, DOES fit the aggressor, ugly-American, empire building neo-fascist (remember the Republicans questioning the patriotism of anyone who challenged their rush to war?) theme. Afghanistan was a war of necessity, and no one has complained about us being there. Iraq, however, while overdrawn and hysterically interpreted on this board, does fit the theme, and calling the US out on it is not "anti-American."

Every nation is a human construction. And, as such, every nation can be ... and from time to time most certainly will be ... in the leadership of people who do not have "the nation's" interests at heart, but only their own. Since we are all human beings, we know our own human nature better than our human nature would have us to admit.

We know right now that Dwight D. Eisenhower's warning to the nation on January 17, 1961 was not heard and followed in his day. We also know that several generations of young people have arrived on the scene since "Ike" left our planet, and that his ominous warning is being heard by them. We all know, or damm well should know by now, just how much ferocious damage can be wreaked by a politician, or a Justice, or a civil savant ;) who is willing to accept bribes. (Much less by someone who considers bribes to be his lawful due, and who can even corrupt the highest court in a country, no doubt by payment of an appropriate amount of cash, to 'agree' with him.)

Nevertheless: every nation has an identity, and the identity of the USA most definitely is not "fascist." If you look up the actual definition of that term, you will see many differences: If you want to understand America's own self-expressed identity (which as such is never actually achieved), you need only read the First Amendment to its Constitution, which expressly provides that you are fully entitled to say that "the USA is a fascist state" and to do so secure in the knowledge that jack-booted storm troopers will not show up at your doorstep in the middle of the night and cart you away, or simply shoot you on the spot. The owners and moderators of this site, also, are unafraid of official persecution.

"I do not agree with what you say, Sir, but I shall defend unto the death your right 'to make an utter and complete asterisk of yourself' ... pardon me ... 'to say it.' "

That speaks volumes. Because it is true here.

And for what it's worth, I think that it also speaks volumes that the Italians themselves grew tired of Mussolini, and hung him and his wife upside-down on a pole as food for the ravens. (Then they sat down to a delicious meal of wine and pasta.)

To me, America often acts like a gigantic school of fish ... seemingly wandering aimlessly until they abruptly form a tight and cohesive unit and utterly demolish the opponent of the day ... then ... seemingly going right back to their aimless wandering. Probably the very worst thing you could possibly do, though, is to under-estimate this country. You'll never know what hit you. You'll never see it coming. You'll look at squabbles and think that you see a nation 'divided against itself.' Uh uh. Not so.

I dont care about the wars. You can't explain the purpose, I can't be bothered to care. I care that Police, hold themselves above the law, and the politicians allow it.

http://www.examiner.com/la-county-li...rd-seize-house

http://www.injusticeeverywhere.com/

You do not live in a just country. Your country is run by politicians that do not care about you. You are put in your place by their police, secret services and agents. If you resist, you can be arrested for nothing, held without trial and falsly tried.

Good luck.

The objection to politics and politicians, the primary indictment against all their works and ways, is that they spoil life. Human life is naturally a lovely, enjoyable, attractive thing. We are all conscious that if we could only be left alone, life would be glorious and desirable and we could do almost anything with it. But the politicians never let us alone; and while we are all busily trying to do our poor best with our lives under such throttling conditions as they put upon us, they are busily trying to thwart us.
— Albert Jay Nock

A marine shot *60 times* for nothing, by police.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain...ona-swat-team/

Brave police shutdown a lemonade stand.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain...een-tea-stand/

There lemonade stand shutdowns are getting very common ... what is with that ?

I guess in Hell you can't sell or drink lemonade.

We can't have poor children sitting on a street corner selling lemonade competing with the 7-11 down the street. That 7-11 pays taxes to put children through school and provides donuts and a slurpee to the hard working members of the city council. Those kids probably won't pay a dime in taxes on the $1.75 they earn from selling lemonade, we must punish the children to protect our kids! ;)

I'm sorry, you are being reasonable and objective and are clearly therefore not fit to be commenting in this thread. ;-)

Like I said ... "I do not agree with you, Sir, but I shall defend your right to make an utter and complete ass of yourself in public ..." :p

America. You should visit sometime. Nice place. Got its quirks. Got its bad apples. (Law enforcement officials can be jerks too.) Nice place. Probably the world's biggest and maybe best social experiment in governance, and, all things considered, I think extremely successful. You might disagree, and you are free to say so.

Imperialism is the single-greatest cause of war, and war is the midwife of new imperialist acquisitions. — Chalmers Johnson

Mission Accomplished In Libya??
 

I was going to copy and paste some of Texas Congressman Ron Paul's latest speech; Mission Accomplished In Libya??
However it is much better to just provide a link to the article itself:
http://paul.house.gov/index.php?opti...talk&Itemid=69

If this was a normal citizen, they would have been arrested, beaten, sued, the kid would have been taken into protective custody, the wife would have been fined. Hail to the Cop/Citizen double standard.

http://www.fox8.com/news/nationworld...,5651230.story

Agreed.

I was an E-5 in the US Navy between the two Gulf wars, and I had two Persian Gulf deployments. Our mission was to enforce the UN sanctions that were put in place to ensure we'd never have to put American boots on the ground. Saddam eventually complied with those resolutions, and all WMDs were destroyed, so mission accomplished. And then Shrub invaded anyway.

Every human life lost in Iraq, American or otherwise, is an inexcusable crime against humanity, and Shrub should be standing in front of The Hague, in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit, stammering out his explanation.

It was only after the invasion turned out to have been based on false information that the conservative media machine changed the narrative from "WMDs" to "bringing democracy," but I don't see where exporting democracy is a power granted to the president in the Constitution.

szboardstretcher

I read the link you posted. At the bottom of the article, it clearly states the officer was arrested and cited. It also clearly states that he is being investigated for felony child abuse. I expect putting up a struggle with the officers called out will cause him some problems in the future. I'm curious about the awarding of a purple heart. Didn't know police did that. I know it is given to military personnel wounded in action.