How has the patriot act influenced how information and records are retained and released to the public ?
much more has been classified, and will not see the light of day for decades, if then.
Filed in: patriot act
I received the american flag that was draped over my grandfather's casket. I had never gotten around to buying a case for it, just displayed it out in the open on top of my bookshelf, properly folded and all, right underneath my living-room window.
Last week, there was a heavy rainstorm that caused the seal around my living-room window to spring a leak, and water came in, getting the flag dirty and soaking wet.
On one hand, I believe the formal flag codes require me to destroy the flag once it gets dirty and/or wet, but … this is my grandfather's flag, which is a big deal in my family. If I can, I'd like to clean it rather than replace it.
Any suggestions?
I researched you're question. On the Betsy Ross homepage
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
it states that you can hand wash you flag with a mild soap
Filed in: american flag
As a citizen of the UK I feel I have a good reason to love my country. Partial-public funding of higher education means I can afford to go to university, I know that if I ever get sick the NHS will be there to give me free treatment, and if I ever find myself unemployed I know I'll be able to survive until I can find a job. I feel that the state gives me a lot in return for my loyalty.
What do Americans get in return for their undying patriotism and flag worshipping? The poor can't afford to go to college. You have to pay for all but the most urgent healthcare, and your social security system is almost non-existant. Americans seem to think that what they get back from the state is their 'freedom', but would you be any less 'free' in any other western country?
We get the right to pay taxes!!
Filed in: patriotism
What were some of the restrictions of civil liberties placed on the colonists by Parliament after the French and Indian War through 1776?
Here is one writer's suggested list of the "Top 10 Civil Liberties Violations That Helped Cause the American Revolution"
1) Taxation Without Representation
2) No Free Trade
3) Unlimited Search and Seizure
4) Destruction of Colonial Government
5) Oppression of Political Protesters
6) Immunity for Corrupt and Abusive British Officers
7) Direct Control of the Criminal Justice System
Guilty by Parliament – no guarantee of trial by jury
9) Forced Quartering of Soldiers
10) Closure of the Boston Port
http://civilliberty.about.com/od/historyprofiles/tp/independence.htm
(the page includes an explanation of each point)
Specific enumerations of the liberties the colonists believed had been violated are found in the various written complaints by individual colonies and by the Second Continental Congress at the beginning of the Revolution. The best know of these is, of course, the list found in the Declaration of Independence (as THE reasons for which they were declaring independence).
http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html
For some perspective on these complaints, and the history behind the ideas of the people's rights, note the observations about the "Declaration of Rights on 1689" and the declarations of the states (colonies) here:
http://www.saumag.edu/edavis/AmLit/2004/DeclarationofIndependenceMaierNotes.html
Another excellent place to go for perspective on which "civil liberties" the American colonists felt had been threatened or violated is the"Bill of Rights" (the first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution), The first EIGHT of these enumerate and guarantee what we would recognize as civil liberties. And many if not all of these were specifically in response to the sorts of rights the colonists believed they were supposed to have as Englishmen, but which the King and Parliament had not been honoring.
I – no national establishment of religion, or prohibition of free exercise, freedom of speech and of the press; the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances
II -right to keep and bear arms
III – no quartering of soldiers without owner's consent and by law
IV – no unreasonable searches (warrants required)
V – cannot be held for crime without indictment, nor put in double jeopardy; cannot be compelled to testify vs. oneself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
VI -right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury. . . must know charges, be confronted by witnesses. . . able to defend self
VII – right of trial by jury in larger civil cases
VIII – no excessive bail or fines imposed, no cruel and unusual punishments
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html
The link with the Revolution is clearer when you read the similar concerns of "The Virginia Declaration of Rights", written in June 1776.
http://theamericanrevolution.org/hdocs/vdecofrights.asp
Note that serveral of these are related to judicial protection — to be fairly tried, etc. and by one's peers. This all brings to mind some of the "Intolerable Acts" passed by Parliament as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. These included the "Quartering Act" and the "Administration of Justice Act" which took away the local administration of justice in Massachusetts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intolerable_Acts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_of_Justice_Act_1774
Filed in: civil liberties
In australia, we thank our traditional owners at most public meetings and gatherings now. They have a flag that often flies next to our national flag in government and other buildings. Is there such a flag of the american indians?
During an Obama speech, I saw a flag next to the american flag? Can anyone tell me what it was.. white with triangle and circle and blue with stars.
The flag with the triangle and circle is the Ohio state flag.
Each of the states has their own flag.
Each different tribe of Native Americans has their own flag.
Mainly their flags fly on Native American businesses and lands.
Sadly the United States of America does not honor the indigenous people of this country as you say you do in Australia. This is yet another race and social class struggle still being fought.
Still much work to do.
Peace~
Filed in: american flag
Why is it very difficult to wage a global war on terror and terrorist organisations?
Terrorist and terror organizations are not organized and do not have a central command structure that can be neutralized or destroyed as can be done in a conventional war. In conventional war, once enough of the opponent’s army is rendered unable to fight, the war is over. However, no matter how many terrorists one stops, another person can decide to commit a terrorist act, and the cycle continues. There may never be a “victory” in a war on terror; it may be that the best wc can do is make it harder for them to act, be vigilant and observant.
Filed in: war on terror
I see alot of people on here saying that under the patriot act laws every American is a criminal, is this true?
So, let me get this right, if the powers that be think you MIGHT commit a crime, you are considered guilty. And are you guys not worried about this?
It is an Act of Congress that President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001. The acronym stands for: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001
Filed in: patriot act