The Terrorism Threat

[bush]

Ok, so I'm a day or two late creating this thread, but I'm keeping my word.

Here's the current situation. The American people are having their right to privacy slowly eroded by the US government. Warantless wiretapping, undoubtedly unconstitutional, has been called a "necessity" to prevent domestic terrorism.

However, it's my belief that being proactive in this situation does not include stepping on my rights as an American.

So, in the spirit of intelligent discourse, what efforts should we make to prevent domestic terrorism?

My take:

Keep the wiretapping, but eliminate the ability of the government to do it without probable cause. When followed according to the constitution, I have no problem with it.

More surveillance of all routes into and out of the country.

Starting with land. If the threat of terrorism is that immediate, then it should be sensible to base national guard units at the north and south borders to prevent illegal immigration. Make it legal for those units to detain (under CONSTITUTIONAL LAW) anybody caught crossing, attempting to cross, or present within a certain distance of the border who doesn't possess a form of state or federal governemnt-issued ID.

Stronger port security. More stringent checks for all loads being shipped both into and out of the country. Any increase in the number of containers and loads checked will be better than what we have now.

Strengthen international air travel regulations. This whole random flagging and checks for bottles of liquid is stupid. Work with foreign governments to create a database of foreign nationals that are within our borders, and make it readily available to state and local law enforcement.

And let pilots and copilots carry firearms. Place a trained marksman on the majority of (if not every) domestic flight.

And if people are really concerned about "Fight them over there so we don't have to fight them here" (I've heard this a number of times from adamant Republicans) then make it so nobody would be able to fight here. Instead of trying to remove the rights of the people to bear arms (thanks Dems), facilitate both firearms and milita training to US citizens. All volunteer, of course, so the red-staters get to keep their guns, and the blue-staters can't complain about the instantement of a draft.

These are general ideas. I'm welcoming some criticizm.

[ped]

that whole 'those that trade security for liberty deserve neither' is BS. what do you think this government was created for. the instant we made the constitution and shit we traded liberty for security.

[bush]

Originally Posted by ped

that whole 'those that trade security for liberty deserve neither' is BS. what do you think this government was created for. the instant we made the constitution and shit we traded liberty for security.

Eh? The constitution's purpose is to limit the government and protect the inalienable rights of the people.

[DEMIAN1970]

Americans as a whole are getting lazy and expect the gov't to think for them, as well as protect them.
No one can protect you but you.
If you think the police or gov't can protect you, and you leave it solely up to them, you will be disappointed.
We need more control of our boarders, first and foremost. Know who is coming in, and why. Get our own backyard straight before we go elsewhere.

[hybrid]

Here is a really simple and yet effective idea.

Instead of the war on drugs costing our country billions of dollars...........build a fucking border fence like the berlin wall on both sides of our landlocked borders.

Man the border fences with gaurds (snipers) and some barbwire, land mines and shit like that.

this will eliminate a ton of the illegal contraband that makes it into the country and all but shut down the illegal entries into the country.

The Great Wall of China worked for centuries........there is a lesson to be learned in that.

When you have your borders under control you can focus on your ports with better detail.

Ive got real problems with the way the gov watches its own people. Get rid of anyone that isnt supposed to be here and watch things that merit being watched.

Im almost positive that my cell have been locked into several times.........or maybe that chirp midflight into a conversation is random...........I find that hard to believe.

[750rider]

Originally Posted by ped

that whole 'those that trade security for liberty deserve neither' is BS.

what do you think this government was created for. the instant we made the constitution and shit we traded liberty for security.

the actual quote is from ben franklin
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

[sparkjim]

Originally Posted by hybrid

Im almost positive that my cell have been locked into several times.........or maybe that chirp midflight into a conversation is random...........I find that hard to believe.

LOL.

[hybrid]

ha.............you think Im kidding.

Does your cell phone chirp randomly?

[DEMIAN1970]

Maybe if you weren't such a trouble maker....

[hybrid]

Im being dead serious................on at least a couple days a week I can be on my cell..........hear clicks and chirps.

After the 4th or 5th time I started being suspicious........now when I hear shit I just turn up the asshole comments a notch.

[DEMIAN1970]

You should say something about asassinating the prez and see if the feds show up at your house, then you'll know for sure.

[hybrid]

See this is where I get into a cross roads.............

I say something like that and now with the patriot act I can be called a terrorist and have everything including my little bit of freedom stript away from me.

Im of better use to the general public if left in society.

I hardly think any of you will come bust me out of prison for something like that.

I do laugh at some of the shit that you can get a felony for though........I promise you this...........if the government ever made me a felon over something stupid...........and non dangerous..........Id be a world class nightmare after that.

I can see the government making some people into real criminals by making them felons and taking all the rights they had away over petty shit.

[bush]

Offtopic already, and not even on the second page.

Bravo SBN, bravo.

[DEMIAN1970]

Sorry, sheesh.