Is This the REAL Reason for the Government Spying On Americans?

Washington's Blog ^ | June 10, 2013

[null and void]

tl/dr

[DesertRhino]

Just a random thought about “continuity of government”. If they screw things up so badly that we wind up in a nuclear war, I find myself not caring whether or not the establishment government survives at all.

The survivors in the ashes should get to create the new post war government that pleases THEM and them alone. They should not have to suffer the assaholic “recovery” totalitarian rule they are itching to exercise over us.

[KittenClaws]

That’s a long article.

But I don’t care WHY the government feels it can deny my constitutional rights. The fact is, the government can not deny me my constitutional rights.

[Paladin2]

Bammy wants instant updates on Weiner availability?

[AlexW]

“That’s a long article.”
___________________________________

Much too long for me to bother reading.
As long as I stay offshore, I am not so worried about what the Obamination does.

[jobim]

I learned much from this article - thanks for posting. Good night, and goodbye. Watson, the needle...

[21twelve]

“The fact is, the government can not deny me my constitutional rights.”

Yes it is a long article. And, all of this spying on us citizens IS constitutional if viewed under a National Emergency.

[KittenClaws]

I am still in this country. MY country. Worth fighting for, worth staying for.

Because I do not want to read the same old BS , is no call for me to abandon my duty.

You do as you are able and willing.

I may be able to move, but I am Willing to fight. You do as your conscience tells you, no reprimand from me.

[KittenClaws]

No. It is not constitutional, when viewed under the constitution.

[Flotsam_Jetsome]

sfl

[21twelve]

Well, then in spite of you thinking they can’t deny you your constitutional rights, they are. Not sure which is worse - to just out-and-out ignore the Constitution, or to couch it in terms of “National Emergency”.

Reminds me of an old FR thread about FDR and the New Deal. And while the “emergency” then was the economy, the same ideas of creating an “emergency” to take more and more control of something (our information in this case) holds true:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2185147/posts

An excerpt:

In his inaugural address, March 4, 1933, the President declared that the people had “asked for discipline and direction under leadership”; that he would seek to bring speedy action “within my Constitutional authority”;...but in the event that the national emergency is still critical... I shall ask Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis — broad executive power to make war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.”

It is true that people wanted action. It is true that they were in a mood to accept any pain-killer, and damn the normal balance of authority between the executive and legislative authority. That was an emotional state of mind perfectly suited to a revolutionary purpose, and the President took advantage of it to make the first startling exposition of New Deal philosophy. Note his assertion of the leadership principle over any other. Discipline under leadership. Note the threat to Congress — “in the event that Congress shall fail.” But who was to say if the Congress had failed? The leader, of course....

So, what the New Deal really intended to do...with war powers if necessary, was to reorganize and control the “whole economic and therefore the whole social structure of the country.”

[AlexW]

“I am Willing to fight.”
_______________________________________

That is admirable, but how will you fight?
It is one thing to fight a foreign power, but, are you willing to go to war with the 50 percent population of Obots?
There are a few, very few, dog in a manger FReepers that have castigated me for being an expat, as they “stay and fight”.
How does one fight a tirantical socialist government?
I remind them that America was founded by expats who left their home countries for what they thought would be a better life.
America has become a victim of The Peter Principle.

[Axenolith]

Anything enacted or practiced that is loathsome to the Constitution is treason, inside the Republic, or outside of it via treaty.

[microgood]

Well, then in spite of you thinking they can’t deny you your constitutional rights, they are. Not sure which is worse - to just out-and-out ignore the Constitution, or to couch it in terms of “National Emergency”.

Well said. It reminds me of the following written by former Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark related to Japanese internment (from Wikipedia):

"The truth is—as this deplorable experience proves—that constitutions and laws are not sufficient of themselves...Despite the unequivocal language of the Constitution of the United States that the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, and despite the Fifth Amendment's command that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, both of these constitutional safeguards were denied by military action under Executive Order 9066."

[RedHeeler]

The Japs needed to be locked up. No matter what you say, that is the fact. Which has nothing to do, with our current time.

[JoeProBono]

[RginTN]

During the election Obama was victorious. He got Bin Laden. No more war on terror.
Now his excuse for spying on Americans is preventing terrorism. So is the war on terror not over? I am perplexed!!

[sten]

real reason? it sure wasn’t to bag domestic terrorists... otherwise they would have stopped the boston bombing.

obviously, they’re filing out their enemies list

[microgood]

The Japs needed to be locked up. No matter what you say, that is the fact. Which has nothing to do, with our current time.

What is being discussed is whether our Constitutional rights can be denied us by our government, not whether Japanese internment was "right" or "wrong". It was, however, clearly in violation of our Constitution. . There are others examples, like Lincoln during the Civil War.

As far as current times, many believe some of the things the NSA are doing are in violation of the Constitution. The fact is, even if they are, those doing it are going to continue to do it until someone stops them.