Homeland Security: Protecting our ... interests?

#1 I am an American.

The homeland security act really pisses me off. It is changing our way of life based on the actions of a few sick minds.

This choice of "action" empowers them... using these affairs to further a political agenda is disgusting... Hm, let's see George Bush was the head of the CIA... I wonder...hmmmmmm

Some good social commentary: The George Lucas film: "THX1138" or read/watch "1984"


-J

#2 I don't know which is worse...Some new bill that would allow the government to gather information and track it's citizens...Or it's citizens forming opinions about such a bill from what they hear on a media program.



America, land of the sheep :P

#3 hey Melve, how's the weather in the UK.... I hear you guys have free health care.... you guys like imigration right? :)

#4 @Eric the Uk is definitely a haven for criminals and foreigners who want to enter the country and live off of welfare.

@MSW: *chuckle*, I thought that was New Zealand.

#5 that was a joke, I actualy heard that the UK has pretty strict imigration policies... I doubt they let criminals become citizens (although I havnt really looked into it), and I'm sure they have rules for citizenship such as waiting half a decade and getting a good job (pay lots of taxes)... although I cant say I know this for sure

#6 It is New Zealand! And believe me, we closely monitor our sheep, and lock them up most of the time. The thing is, the New Zealand sheep don't talk back (much). America will be another question ;)

#7 Arkansas, where men are men and sheep are nervous.





damn typo

#8 I'm curious about two things Ernest:

Did you actually research this agenda or just watch Enemy of the State?

What does that have to do with Indy Game development?

Not trying to be a prick, just curious.

#9 nobody likes it, but nobody is going to protest against it or do anything about it because nobody thinks that their personal opinion is worth anything, nor do they feel that is their right and is their duty to make life for themselves just a little better.

#10 Our government (US) wants to use hte 9.11 attcaks as an excuse to take away the privacy of it's citizens. And it looks like many of us actually support the government in this (often because they simply do not understand). It makes me sad. No crisis or emergency should justify any form of political oppression, whatsoever. It is not acceptable to exchange extra "security" for our personal freedoms and privacy.

#11 Personally I'm not going to let changes like this affect my life, and trust me, this will. A real patriot would do something about it. I'd say the proper thing to do would be to take away the power of incompetent leaders.

#12 I was actually more worried about the Patriot act. We let the government take advantage of our shock and fear to trample on some of our fundamental rights assured by our constitution and our bill of rights.

As far as I can tell the Homeland Security Act is just the next step for them. Instead of covertly spying on us (largely by the NSA), now they can legally and overtly do it. And just like Joshua mentioned, the simple words of Homeland Security Department reek of 1984-ism.

You can either let this happen, or you can fight back. Call your congresspeople and your senators. Tell your congresspeople that you're incensed that this bill is being passed. Tell your senators that you are against them voting for this bill.

If that doesn't work, then stop supporting a government which doesn't listen to you or respect you or your rights. Stop paying taxes. Yeah, I know. You think I'm crazy. That may be so, but do the research if you're so inclined. You are not legally required to file or pay your federal income taxes in the US. Withhold your taxes until they start paying attention to you.

#13 Wise man once said:

"Only people who break speed limit complain about speeding tickets."

What are you all hiding? ;)

#14 I know you're kidding around Mike, but you have to draw a line somewhere.

An example:

Maybe You don't mind cameras at street lights. What about randomly in the streets. What about one outside your home? What about one in your bedroom?

It's not like we will or have lost all our freedoms in one instant. It happens gradually. We get used to erosion of our freedoms. They slowly chip away at them. Until, we realize we no longer this free country we were supposed to be.

I reckon most people would be adverse at having government surveillance camera in their bedroom. Maybe that's where you draw the line, that's where you stop feeling conmfortable. Well, I stop being comfortable much earlier, and that's just who I am. I have nothing to hide (yet), but regardless, it doesn't mean I want to lose my privacy, nor should I have to.

Again, we're not trying to solve terrorism, just trying to make ourselves feel safe. This bill isn't going to solve terrorism. It's just going to give us the illusion of safety...

#15 Well, jus to let you all know, the UK already has a system like this, the only problem is, it happend to them without any notification.

#16 @Yacine: well put.

-J

#17 There was an old saying, that I can't properly repeat. It went something like this though....
When they came to take away my Jewish neighbor, I did not offer to help, for I am not Jewish.
When they locked up my other neighbor, a black, I did not protest, for I am not black.
And when they came to take me away, no one helped, for they had all already been taken away.

You should never EVER allow rights to be taken away, for ANY reason. Sure you may not be concerned about cameras posted to catch speeders if you've never sped in your life, or you're happy to pay the ticket the once or twice you do. But what's to prevent another agency from using those cameras?

Every single small erosion of our rights leads us further from the path of democracy. Just like a snowball rolling downhill, eventually it cannot be stopped.

#18 Very well said, Erik.

Quote:Did you actually research this agenda or just watch Enemy of the State?

Reading my initial post will answer your question. It was on the radio today, and we talked about it during the breaks at the MSTS2 seminar yesterday.

Quote:What does that have to do with Indy Game development?

Nothing. This forum doesn't have to be about game-related topics only. "General posts that don't fit anywhere else."

Quote:Wise man once said:

"Only people who break speed limit complain about speeding tickets."

What are you all hiding? ;)

Read my post in its entirity. Innocent people could be at risk, with no hope of a fair trial.

Yacine said it best, but privacy is only the half of it.

Quote:
I don't know which is worse...Some new bill that would allow the government to gather information and track it's citizens...Or it's citizens forming opinions about such a bill from what they hear on a media program.

The only thing funny about that comment is how flawed the logic is.

#19 Things are getting sick. Its only going to get worse if people don't do something about it. People DON'T want to be watched all the time. I don't see why anyone would follow along with it doing nothing if they disagreed with it. Cameras everywhere scare the hell out of me. It makes me want to own a gun. Funny, gore wanted to restrict that right from what I could gather. Vote Nader.

#20 You know, when it comes to American media and politics, I find it very hard to pick what to believe. If you just watch CNN, NBC, FOX, etc, nothing seems sinister. It's all about the latest big thing, which lately has been a war. But then if you start surfing the net, you can come across some interesting websites (like this) and you start to wonder whether conspiracy theories are made up, or if you've just been convinced that they are all fake through the popular media. It's a real dilema.

I think people are innately trusting. In a time when TV news has been around for many peoples' entire lifetimes, it seems dangerous to have people believe the only things that are going on are things that they see on the news. People need to learn that what they hear and see may not necessarily be true, and that they will never hear the entire story of the world.