New Patriot Act creates the “Secret Service, Uniformed Division”

[reprehensor]

From Ben Frank's blog...

New Patriot Act creates the “Secret Service, Uniformed Division”

America has never had a federal police force, but hidden in the new “Patriot” Act is language that creates just such a beast.

SEC. 605. THE UNIFORMED DIVISION, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE.

There is hereby created and established a permanent police force, to be known as the `United States Secret Service Uniformed Division’.

The Secret Service, Uniformed Division will not operate solely in DC, but anywhere former Presidents travel, or foreign dignitaries, or even “as the President, on a case-by-case basis, may direct.”

A federal police force, directed by the President. Is this not the Gestapo all over again?

If the new “Patriot” Act passes, the new SSUD federal police can show up at:

(11) An event designated.. as a special event of national significance.
(12) Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and, within 120 days of the general Presidential election…

A federal goon squad on hand to arrest any ‘disruptors’ during the next Presidential Election… how can you look in the mirror and tell yourself that there’s hope for 2008? Or is that just an excuse to continue doing nothing right now?

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This is no excuse to "continue doing nothing right now" but it is bad news for this country.

[NanceGreggs]

1. Should keep my eyeglass ON at all times ...

... because I read your thread title as "Secret Service - UNINFORMED Division" - which sounded like a likely Bush initiative.

[NoFederales]

2. How do we withstand the secret police?

Do we destroy ourselves by aquiescence? or by armed violence?

Sadly, this scenario of secret police plays like a bad movie plot, but shit just keeps piling up around the Bush Administration. How much destruction will go on before it starts hurting Joe Common?

Are we headed for a Second American Revolution, another Civil War, or a pathetic Banana Republic?

NoFederales

[Coastie for Truth]

3. Not completely true

The United States Coast Guard is a uniformed Federal Police force with full criminal law enforcement jurisdiction on the high seas and navigable waters of the US. Goes back to Alexander Hamilton's original Revenue Cutter Service.

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and our first African American "Commodore Captain" (equivalent to an admiral before WW1) was Mike Healy, kind of a Russ Honore type of Admiral or General--<> and here's the USCGC Healy
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But remember - Coasties have been cops since the days of Alexander Hamilton.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

5. No, you miss the point! these will likely be black uniforms

Just like in Nazi Germany... The similarities are alarming at this point. Reichstag Fire = World Trade Center Disaster. Muslims = 1944 German Jews. Heap on lots of propaganda, patriotism, religious fervor and fear for a Nazi recipe. Dur Fuhrers first term of office is First Reich. The second term is Second Reich. America never ceases to amaze me. What will they think of next?

[BattyDem]

4. There is already a uniformed division ..

but it sounds like BushCo wants to expand their jurisdiction! :scared:

NOTE: The Uniformed Division are currently posted outside the White House, the Vice President's house and embassies.

On edit: Here's a link to a Clinton-era site that explains the Secret Service to kids. It has then Unifromed Division info. http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/kids/inside/html/spring98-3.html

[lynne]

6. The USSS/UD has been around for decades -

- they were formed ca. 1920 or so and were referred to as the "White House Police" until shortly after the Nixon administration. They do security work at the White House, Embassies, VP residence. They also do security details out of town, secure buildings for special events, etc. They are trained in police and security work, have the same ability as regular police to arrest if they see someone breaking the law, just like any cop in the nation. They used to be under Dept of Treas. but went under Home Security several years ago.

There is nothing new here, the article is very misleading and just right down incorrect.
Their website: http://www.secretservice.gov/ud.shtml

[bbinacan]

8. According to your link the

Uniformed Secret Service began in 1860.

[lynne]

9. Looking again at that first paragraph -

- "The Secret Service Uniformed Division, initially a force comprised of a few members of the military and the Metropolitan Police Department, began formalized protection of the White House and its grounds in 1860. This unit was under the direction of the White House Military Aide until 1922 when President Warren G. Harding prompted the establishment of a White House Police Force."

1860 = Military and Metro police under direction of White house Military Aide did White House security.
1922 = Establishment of White House Police Force.
1930 = White House Police joined with Secret Service.
1977 = Name changed to USSS/Uniformed Division

They've had a few changes but - hey - they've also been at it in some fashion since 1860/1922. Certainly not news, by any means.

[bbinacan]

10. Agreed. n/t

[bonito]

7. Kick n/t