scarletwoman
scarletwoman's Journal"On the other hand..."?!?!? I hope you're not serious!
In case you were actually serious, I must strenuously object.
These capabilities in the hands of the State will pretty much always be used to suppress legitimate dissent, and will rarely - if ever - be used to "fight terrorism, mass shootings, and riots."
Terrorism strengthens the State - the only reason to appear to "fight terrorism" is to impose increasing limits on the freedom of its citizens.
Mass Shootings - the only way to "fight" mass shootings is to limit the kinds and numbers of weapons in circulation. The State cannot surveill its way into the inner thoughts of gun owners. The number of gun owners needs to be severely limited, as well as the kinds of guns they are allowed to own.
Riots - Several elements to consider:
(1)This really depends on what you consider a "riot". Are you talking about surveilling sports fans to prevent them from getting drunk and running wild in the streets? Good luck with that.
(2)If you're talking about the idiot "Black Bloc" so-called anarchists who show up to break windows and shit during legitimate demonstrations, first determine how many of them are actually law enforcement undercover plants.
(3)And please bear in mind that authoritarian governments LOVE to characterize peaceful demonstrations as "riots" - I hope you know that.
There is no good to be had for ordinary people from governments having this kind of surveillance power. None.
We citizens need to make all association with the NRA totally toxic.
It's been heartening to see a few corporations recently ditching their NRA discounts, and some NRA events being cancelled.
Democratic office holders and candidates ought to continually excoriate the NRA as apologists for child killers, as a terrorist organization.
We must stop cowering in fear of the NRA - we need to spit in their eye, give them the finger, call them out relentlessly.
We can defeat the bogeyman - like Dorothy throwing the bucket of water on the wicked witch.
K&R - thank you, Hollywood Liberals!
I'm more than fine with "Hollywood Liberals" - putting their money where our principles are. What could be better? That those who have the means, give to the causes that are working to make for a better world.
Their help is welcome! Fuck the troglodytes!
Yes! Thank you! David Brooks is, unfortunately, an idiot.
I say "unfortunately" because every once in a while he seems to seriously flirt with rationality. And, stupid me, I get my hopes up that he will finally eschew and repudiate whatever delusional ideas he still clings to regarding being a "conservative".
But he never fails to disappoint.
I read this piece of crap editorial by Brooks earlier, and just wanted to vomit.
Oh, PLEASE!!!
Yes, I definitely WANT to "destroy their (damn, idiotic, stupid) culture" - their "culture" is totally fucked up. Their "culture" is toxic. Their "culture" is backward and ignorant and pathetic and disgusting. Damn right they are "despicable" - and it's way past time they were told so and fucking told off!
They have NO fucking "morality"! Why the hell should any actual sentient being defer to such unevolved troglodytes?
These are the people who are directly responsible for the degradation of our democracy - they are responsible due to their willful ignorance, their stupidity, their firmly closed minds.
FUCK THEM!!!
Exactly. These are people who would have no compunction about shooting the "other"
if they've been riled up enough to believe that the "other" is immediately endangering their way of life.
"Liberals" are definitely among those who qualify as "other".
Guns/NRA/GOP - what if it's not just the money/campaign contributions?
(I can't sleep, I had this awful thought & just had to get out of bed to write it out.)
What if the ultimate reason behind the GOP's steadfast refusal to entertain even the very mildest of limits on the wide-open availability of every kind of firearm and ammunition, is that they actively WANT their supporters to be as well-armed as possible, in anticipation of an actual hot civil war? A civil war between the RWNJs and the much-maligned "Liberals" that develops into a real, actual shooting war?
There is nothing that the GOP and the right wing/fascists won't do to stay in power. They have no interest in governing, only in ruling. They have no interest in policies that would benefit the citizens of our country as a whole, and certainly no interest in compromise. Their only interest is power, and the financial rewards that come with it.
Their goal has long been permanent Republican majority, and they will cheat, lie, steal, and break any law, break any norm to achieve it.
And if their actions eventually bring on a new civil war, they'd be fine with it. Because they will have made sure that their most fanatic and zealous supporters are armed to the teeth, and are ready and willing to mow down any and all resistance with the arsenals they have accumulated.
What if the GOP isn't just comprised of assholes - what if the GOP has an inner core of adherents who are not just willing, but are actively preparing to promote a real war with the aim of eliminating all opposition to their permanent control of our country?
I can't sleep...
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Gender: FemaleHometown: Minnesota
Current location: up north
Member since: 2001
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