Quote of the Day–John Adams (02/01/2011)

“Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.”  -John Adams

[The government keeps giving itself more and more power.  Not only are they giving themselves power, but doing it in such a way that it can forever expand.  The TSA might as well be relabeled the tyrannical pink bunny, because it just keeps growing and growing.  We must find a way to stop this and other advances by the government.  Power once gained is rarely relinquished. –B]

We Are The Law!

Evidently according the the EFF, the FBI isn’t much for obeying the law regarding intelligence gathering.

EFF has uncovered widespread violations stemming from FBI intelligence investigations from 2001 – 2008. In a report released today, EFF documents alarming trends in the Bureau’s intelligence investigation practices, suggesting that FBI intelligence investigations have compromised the civil liberties of American citizens far more frequently, and to a greater extent, than was previously assumed.

Given the previous track regard with the the ATF, consider me completely unsurprised.  The law is for the citizenry to follow, government employees, especially law enforcement, are exempt.  As it is 2500 pages I don’t have the time to wonder through all of it currently, however, one of the bullet points was down right impressive:

Indications that the FBI may have committed upwards of 40,000 possible intelligence violations in the 9 years since 9/11

Over 9 years that’s an average of 12 violations a day.  12 separate instances a day where the law doesn’t apply to them.  Remember, they are the law and thusly exempt.

Idiocy continues

Even with the recent events in Egypt the discussion regarding an internet kill switch is returning to the floor of Congress.

The legislation, which would grant US President Barack Obama powers to seize control of and even shut down the internet, would soon be reintroduced to a senate committee, Wired.com reported.

Why would the government need the power to shutdown the ability to openly exchange information world wide?    The only reason to shutdown the internet is to stifle dissenters, prohibit assembly, and stop communications regarding unlawful acts by the government.  The claims of this necessity because of a possible cyber-emergency are total bull crap.

By far the best line of the article though was this:

Senator Susan Collins, a co-sponsor of the bill, said that unlike in Egypt, where the government was using its powers to quell dissent by shutting down the internet, it would not.

Let me translate that for everyone,  “Sure, some might use it for bad, but come on, you can trust us, we’re cool.”  This from the same government who confiscated weapons from civilians after Katrina.  This from the same government that promised Social Security numbers would not be used as a universal identifier.  It can be very succinctly put, “Sure you can trust the government, just ask an Indian.” Any government will do whatever it can get away with.  When the free exchange of information is prevented, they can get away with most anything.

Governments and leaders that gain power, rarely ever relinquish it or let it go.  This power would have serious detrimental effects, especially since more and more of our information flow is over the internet.  Many get their news from the internet, watch TV over the net, and even run their phone service over the net.  It would shove people into the dark, at which point the government can also control what information people are allowed to see.  Egypt is the shining example of why the government absolutely should NEVER be allowed this power.

I always knew he was an idiot…

I always knew Senator Chuck Shumer was a moron. Now we have another piece of evidence to add to the pile

Remember, this is the same man who supports every gun-control bill he can.

Mr Shumer, for future reference the three branches of government are:

  • Legislative.
  • Executive.
  • Judicial.

  • Quote of the Day–Joe Huffman (01/30/2011)

    “The same sort of thing happened to the Jews in Nazi Germany.  Each little infringement it was always just a little bit easier to do what they wanted rather than what they should have done.  It is easier to comply and get through this, this indignity, this infringement, this beating, whatever it was, than to face the consequences of taking the big step.“ –Joe Huffman on BB & Guns.

    [This was said while discussing the TSA and their behavior towards law abiding citizens. 

    Joe is right,  the problem is most people can not take the risk to fight back.  It is easier to just walk through the line, than to fight back.  When you fight back, you will probably win in the end, but it also will cost you time, money, and possibly even your job.  People comply with the TSA out of fear, and that is terrorism.  The terrorists from overseas have been replaced by people from the government using the claim of necessityNow that government is doing all it can to make sure it has a monopoly over airport screenings to continue their reign of terror.  Remember, it will only get worse, and we have seen these tiny encroachments in history before.   -B]

    Monopoly anyone?

    TSA chief John Pistole said Friday he has decided not to expand the program beyond the current 16 airports, saying he does not see any advantage to it.

    No they don’t want it expanding because heaven forbid people realize that there are alternatives to the abuse from the TSA.  The only reason currently people put up with them is out of fear.  Some people were finally getting the balls to tell them to F’ Off and of course being the government they need to stop it.  We can’t have any sheep people with alternative choices, we must be the ONLY choice. Congratulations everyone, you are stuck with a single vendor with no alternate choice.  That single vendor is the government, paid for by you, to molest and harass your children, violate your women, and abuse you.

    “I examined the contractor screening program and decided not to expand the program beyond the current 16 airports as I do not see any clear or substantial advantage to do so at this time,” Pistole said.

    The substantial advantage you pompous ass-hat is that it would be a private company, not the government.  As such it would be more liable to restrain itself from abusing people.  It appears you would rather just stand on your pulpit and yell “Respect my Authoritah!”  Heaven forbid we have someone doing the scanning that could get fired, put in jail, and not have a position which makes him think he’s a god.

    I have long resigned to no longer flying commercially until the TSA is done.  The only reason I will fly is for business, and even then the first words out of my mouth is going to be, “Are we taking one of the jets?”  In order to keep my job though, I’m going to have to surrender to the TSA if it’s commercial.  How is that acceptable?  Fear is used to deprive us of our rights.  It’s no longer the fear of terrorism, but of the loss of our jobs or jail.

    Because it’s Awesome

    I stumbled across this today and fell over laughing at the headline.

    Why Bacon Is A Gateway To Meat For Vegetarians

    I have the answer to that question, because it’s that freaking awesome. 

    “I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.” – Thomas Jefferson

    I’m really craving a Bacon Explosion from CD’s Smoke Pit now.

    Just mind your own business!

    A man was having a cell phone conversation in his car while parked in a parking lot.  It was then rudely interrupted by the police.

    After identifying the vehicle and person in question, Hughes said a decision was made on the scene for police to attempt contact. They were able to communicate with him and he voluntarily exited the vehicle. No weapon was found and the individual was taken into custody without incident less than 20 minutes after police arrived on scene.

    What the hell did they take the man into custody for.  Because the following sentence is this wonderful item:

    The individual was talking on a cell phone at the time of the incident. It’s likely that is the object the passerby identified as a gun.

    A note to whoever the idiot was that called it in, mind your own freaking business.  You took 20 minutes of this man’s life over a phone call because you can’t differentiate a cell phone from a gun.  Plus all the people who’s days were disrupted trying to conduct their business.  Not to mention the police department who were too stupid to evaluate the situation and realize that the person who called it in needs a swift kick to the ass.  What would have happened if that person had been legally carrying.  Now he had a weapon in the car and it becomes and argument of he said she said.  He just “switched” to the phone.  Mind your own business unless you’re in fear for your life, and in that case return fire.  I’m sure in a previous life the individual that called lived in Germany and had all of his neighbors hauled off.  We can’t have anyone doing anything that someone else doesn’t have their approval for.  Heaven forbid someone talk on their cell phone while sitting in a parking lot instead of while barreling down the highway at 60MPH.  End Rant.