February, 2009
By tascerUSA
How can you tie it into Immigrants or Refugees? What are the complications or troubles of the Patriot Act?
The best answer I can give you is that the terms of the Patriot act are nothing new. In reality it extends powers into the fight against terrorists that are already possessed by the fed and routinely used to fight organized crime. Much of the hoo haw arises from the redirection of the expanded rights the feds possess regarding the interception of communications, such as the internet, from the fight against organized crime to the war on terror. Many restrictions and checks and balances that previously existed in this regard were left out of the Patriot Act in the name of national security.
The Act also lowers the standard for foreign intelligence surveillance for the same reason.
It gets complicated because of the nature of the likely targets of investigation. When one is dealing with organized crime, nobody much cares whether the feds are checking out their library cards or tapping their phones. But a terrorist can be anybody at all, in theory. Suddenly, powers that the fed had used for decades, with minor oversight, to investigate suspected criminals can be used with less oversight to investigate anybody suspected of any ties to terrorism. In theory, that could be any anti war activist on the block.
At least some opponents of the Act would have us believe so.
But, I think that buried in all that overblown paranoia, the opponents of the Act may have a small point. It comes down to whether or not one is willing to trust his own government in a crisis when that trust has been abused in a less worrysome past. Some people have made a rational decision not to trust and others are simply believers that their own government is a greater threat to them than any enemy could be.
As to immigration issues, the patriot act increased the authority of the INS or what is currently known as the USCIS to track down illegal immigrants with terrorist ties. For example, the USCIS has access to some of the FBI’s systems like the Wanted Persons File and the NCIC-III. These systems allow the USCIS to check the criminal history of visa applicants. The USCIS is also authorized to make inadmissible the spouse and children of illegal immigrants who have some ties to terrorism within the last five years. The spouses and children of individuals who have some association with a terrorist organization can be excluded from entering the country automatically.
The Patriot Act also gives the Attorney General authority to detain any non-citizen he certifies as a threat to national security. Originally, this authority was virtually unlimited, but safeguards were later introduced into the law and his decisions in this regard were made subject to judicial review. The primary objection being made to this at present is that it can theoretically result in the detention of non-citizens who have never been charged with a violent crime or national security offense but who have violated their immigration status in some way. Because the Attorney General has seven days under the statute to decide whether or not to charge them with a national security violation, it is possible that a mere status violator could be held until the statute runs out before he is handed over to USCIS for deportation.
Also, in some countries, governments compile lists of suspected "terrorists," a label they attach both to those who have committed acts of indiscriminate violence against innocent people but also to those who are non-violent critics or political opponents of the government. These lists are provided to our government and could theoretically result in an inappropriate detention until the time the government has to charge the detainee runs out.
I hope that this helps you.
Filed in: patriot act
By tascerUSA
World War II brought the entire nation together to work, ration, save, pray and sacrifice. The War on Terror seems to be far more divisive. Do some research first if you like – I intend to keep this one open for a while.
And please, nothing along the lines of "Bush is a doodie-head." This is a serious question.
In world war 2 Germany had already conqured most of Europe and showed no signs of stopping. If we had not saved their rears the map might look totally different now. Even if they stopped to secure Europe and recoup once finished with Europe (the smart thing to do) it was feared and likely they would push into the Americas, as I think they would have. Thus, we had to stop them or be conqured. Holocaust plays no role as it was not public knowledge until after.
Also, Pearl Harbour was a direct attack by another nations military. We were at war, like it or not. Japan also invaded Alaska and was dug in on land, something that you don't hear much about. Japan was allied with Germany although Germany told them to focus on Russia and meet in Moscow. Why a relatively tiny island would attack the US when it wasn't finished with China is absurd. WWII made us what we are and perhaps we didn't have the rep we have now and they thought they could frighten us.
Terrorists are not attempting to invade or occupy America and do not come from any particular country. The goals of terrorists are uncertain at best.
Also Viet Nam changed things and created a more sensitive culture. We got to see war first hand in full color unedited by military journalists. Nam was the first war where civilian journalists were brought along and at the time everyone was excited to be on TV. The journalists went where they pleased and hopped on any chopper that had room. The blood and guts went straight to your living room at the independent news producers discretion at 5:30 each evening as famalies sat around and watched during diner. A mistake that the military will not repeat. The civilian media today is lead by the hand 'for thier own protection.' Nam also gave rise to the peace and love culture. In other ways it is a much different world today.
(I can stop here but… some other thoughts)
Sometimes it seems like the terrorists just want us to leave the middle east alone. I'm curious as to what you think or are told that the terrorists agenda is. Yes they want to terrorize and kill Americans but what for. In Ireland the terrorists wanted independence from Britain, lack the ability for a military victory so, they hope to scare them into a concession. The definition of terrorist is one that attacks civillian targets in order to pressure a govt into something. What do the muslim terrorists want (not that we should give it or accept it)? Death to the infidels? Bombs every five years won't kill us all. There is a political motivation for these high profile bombings. Don't support Israel is an obvious one. Many in Iraq just want to drive us out of Iraq (seems fair).
Iraq seems more like a gurilla war than terrorists as well. Civillians may be harmed but the intended targets are usually military, local police, and the coalition govt. All of which are legitimate military targets so it's not terrorism. Trying to frighten us by bombings is not a good thing but not an imminent threat either. Protecting our home from terrorists is a job for police, FBI and CIA not soldiers in the middle east. I find it hard to even think of the war on terror as a war at all. It theoretically includes all terrorists not just muslim ones. They occupy no territory and don't have much unity. Remember Timothy McVay was a solo terrorist. Also certain militant Nazi groups in the mid west are classified as terrorists.
The mid east has fought for a long time and even if Iraq is stabilized our actions have not made us many friends there. Thus does not lessen terrorism but increases the number those who wish to do us harm. Although I'm just now starting to think the plan was to fix Iraq and show them how nice it can be and other nations may want it. Iraq was chosen because it's easiest and nobody really liked Saddam anyway, even there. If that's the plan it doesn't seem to be working.
Someone mentions 9/11 and Iraq. The two have little to do with each other yet we hear this again and again with no explanation as why invading Iraq gets you revenge for 9/11. Bin Laden from Saudi Arabia, base in the Sudan, possibly living in Afgahnistan; What does Iraq have to do with it?
Filed in: war on terror
By tascerUSA
“Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest," but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.” – Sidney J Harris
So which one are you – a nationalist or a patriot?
I think that definition is a little too highfalutin.
Those people who fought during the war of independence were patriots. They were fighting to be in control of their own destiny.
Nationalists have a desire to control others. Nationalism denies liberty.
Filed in: patriotism
By tascerUSA
Just courious, bought and hung a american flag outside my house for Memorial Day. The directions said, never fly in the rain or snow, and take down at sunset. Why?
There is a Flag Code, which sets out the standards and etiquette regarding the U. S. flag.
Out of respect, the flag is to be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. If a flag is flown after sunset, it is to be illuminated.
Check out this site. The section on Raising and Lowering the Flag details this info.
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
Filed in: american flag
By tascerUSA
I heard that the patriot act took away some of our freedom and replaced it with security.
The patriot act said that the U.S. Government can tap your phone to hear conversation you have to figure out whether you are a terrorist or not. What if I'm doing other illegal activity and they tap me can they used that as evidence? Also if our government doesn't trust us, should we trust them, with all this 911 controversy, I really don't know.
I am a US Citizen.
That is a great quote. My sociology professor mentioned that quote last week.
I oppose the patriot act, its unconstitutional.
If you give up freedom for security you deserve neither.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin
Filed in: patriot act
By tascerUSA
Libraries are supposed to be the last bastion of freedom. But more and more I see libraries banning certain books, using websense blockers for the internet, and banning the types of art that are displayed in the library. This is not a good sign when libraries are slaves to the city council or county commission. They are supposed to be above petty politics. They are supposed to be an open minded marketplace of ideas. Libraries more than any institution in the past have known the importance of maintaining civil liberties. And that is why this trend is so disturbing. They are starting to determine and define what is inappropriate or obscene. I guess this question is for all of you first amendment or constitutional law fans out there.
I think some of you are missing the point here. I only want answers from those schooled in law. Or educated folks.
You forgot to mention that after the patriot act in 2002, under the portion titled "Total Information Security", libraries across America are now required to produce members' "reading lists" or books they have checked out.
Participating in this is the equivalent of Bell South and AT&T's special rooms where customer phone calls and records are perused by NSA officialls.
Filed in: civil liberties
By tascerUSA
What fabric is the best for an outdoor american flag? I've seen Cotton, Cotton/Polyester, and Nylon — I'm sure there are other fabric/fabric blends available too. I bought one from Meijer last year — and I can't for the life of me remember what type of fabric it was — but within in a month the flag was tattered and split at the stripes. I'd like to buy one that will be long lasting.
depends what the conditions are like where u live. i take it that having heard about your flag you gotlast year you either live in a windy area or it was a very poorly stitched flag.
1st choose your flag manufacturor. there are plenty of different flag makers in the USA but the top 3 are ANNIN AND CO, VALLEY FORGE FLAG COMPANY and CF FLAG COMPANY. These 3 flag companies are the ONLY flag companies chosen to make flags for the US government and armed services. the flags that fly over the Capitol are Annin or Valley Forge.
dont buy the cheapest flag you can buy. if you ARE strapped for cash, go to your nearest Wal-mart as these stores have a contract with Annin and co and quite regularly sell their flags i picked up a 6×4 ft nylon flag from wal-mart last year for $24.99- or have a look on ebay.
now for the type of flag.
both Annin and Valley forge have a range of heavy duty flags. these are good for high winds. valley forge have DuraTex and Annin have ToughTex. the valley forge one is made from 2 spun polyester and the annin one i think is a mix of polyester and nylon and s a 'double flag' basiclaly 2 layers of material throughout the flag. be warned though- these will just lay against the pole if its not windy enough
in a regular or low wind nylon is the best lasting flag but make sure you have at least 4 rows of stitching at the fly end which all these 3 companies do provide
for the best visual effect however a .cotton flagwill win every time in regular wind. it will flow gently and be wonderful to look at. however these flags come with a higher maintainance and they do not like the rain!! you can get colour fast cotton flags but still if it rains they fill with water and become very heavy and then have to be COMPLETELY dried out before folding otherwise it can become mouldy… yuck!
Filed in: american flag