You Are a Suspect

NY TIMES via Drudge ^ | william safire

[DAnconia55]

You Are a Suspect
By WILLIAM SAFIRE

ASHINGTON — If the Homeland Security Act is not amended before passage, here is what will happen to you:
Every purchase you make with a credit card, every magazine subscription you buy and medical prescription you fill, every Web site you visit and e-mail you send or receive, every academic grade your receive, every bank deposit you make, every trip you book and every event you attend — all these transactions and communications will go into what the Defense Department describes as "a virtual, centralized grand database."

[MetaAlpha]

You expect a Clinton to occupy the WH again? Why?

[dirtboy]

Well, it's time to remind you Mugwump-types! WE ARE AT WAR.

Illbay, the feds have already shown they can't handle a modest investigative database. They have already shown they cannot move information within their organization in a timely manner, and instead often block it with PC concerns. So, above and beyond any Constitutional concerns, should I agree that the creation of a multi-petabyte "virtual, centralized grand database" is a good thing? I work in a terabyte universe, and from what I have seen of the feds, they can't handle a gigabyte universe.

The feds do not need more information, until they demonstrate they can adequately process the information streams they already have.

[dirtboy]

Every purchase you make with a credit card,

I don't think this is a factually correct statement - I'll look into this and report back.

[Fred Mertz]

Let me know what you find out, dirtboy. Thanks.

I try to use cash whenever possible, except when I have to use the one and only credit card I own.

[copycat]

ASHINGTON — If the Homeland Security Act is not amended before passage, here is what will happen to you: Every purchase you make with a credit card, every magazine subscription you buy and medical prescription you fill, every Web site you visit and e-mail you send or receive, every academic grade your receive, every bank deposit you make, every trip you book and every event you attend — all these transactions and communications will go into what the Defense Department describes as "a virtual, centralized grand database."

They already are, except the computer is in Brussels. This just gives them permission to have the database within our borders.

[Anchoragite]

"Well, it's time to remind you Mugwump-types!...."

Yeah. We're at war. To make sure we get the terrorists, turn in your weapons. Then only the terrorists will have weapons, and they'll be easier to spot. Yeah. And then, give up the vote, so that the terrorists can't compromise or sabotage our perfect system. And as soon as the war's over, trust that all will be returned to normal....

[Oh yeah, that's right. The war will never be over. It's a war on terrorism, not on specific terrorists. And terrorism will always be here -- if not from one extremist group, then from another....]

[ThinkDifferent]

The feds do not need more information, until they demonstrate they can adequately process the information streams they already have

Absolutely, this is what I've been saying as well. All the information needed to prevent 9/11 was present in various government agencies, but they were unable to analyze it and act on it. Dumping massive amounts of personal information on mostly law-abiding citizens is very likely to be counterproductive; actual suspicious activity will be lost in the noise.

[ThinkDifferent]

Sure, they'll be rolled back as soon as the war(s) is(are) over.

What are the victory conditions for the war on terrorism?

[MetaAlpha]

I don't know, but I trust the guys and one gal in charge. They know.

[xjcsa]

You know, sometimes I read a post and feel like I just got a bit smarter. This was one of those posts.

[Anchoragite]

Also here: (includes lots more background, NYT article, links to project homepage, etc.)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/785715/posts

This ain't no joke.

[MissL]

I was just ready to post that same quote !!! And it is true. I would like to know what is included in this "Homeland Security" bill...we never hear about the detalis or attachments that might be added to a bill so it will be all things to all "representitives". The one thing that I am certain is, if you give a freedom away...you never get it back. I am a republican but belive in LESS govenment control...not total control. IF that is the direction we are traveling, I am not going. I belive in the Constitution and my Country and it is not Patriotic to sell out...and follow but to question and make a choice.

[Libloather]

To make sure we get the terrorists, turn in your weapons. Then only the terrorists will have weapons, and they'll be easier to spot. Yeah. And then, give up the vote, so that the terrorists can't compromise or sabotage our perfect system. And as soon as the war's over, trust that all will be returned to normal....

Next time, try some decaf...

[Liberty Valance]

Excellent post. I must agree.

Liberty

[The Duke]

I'm with you Bay, we're at war. So let's go get what we deserve. We rule.

First of all you may want to watch what you wish for, because what we actually deserve may not be exactly what you have in mind.

When I think of America today I think of the Jews that Moses returned to when he came down from the mountain. Safe under their nuclear umbrella, the pampered children of the "baby boom" indulged in all forms of wickedness. I wonder exactly what we really *DO* deserve???

With regard to the enthusiastic acceptance of the erosion of our liberties because we're in a state of "war" (yeah, when did I hear Congress declare war?) all I can say is that ... "a foolish nation and its freedoms are soon parted."

[lizma]

So, these are temporary measures?

Aren't we still paying a tax to cover the Spanish-American War??

[eno_]

OK, fine, adjust:

1. Secure the borders
2. Deport illegal Moslems (declare a real state of emergency if needed to implement the sweeps to do this, but get it done in three months max.)
3. Review the visa, PR, and citizenship status of all other Moslem immigrants. Anyone witha whiff of Islamism - gone. Just like we used to do with Nazis and Communists.

I would feel very much better if this was a higher priority than a generalized internal spying mechanism.

[JoeMomma]

I don't know, but I trust the guys and one gal in charge. They know.

The Bush Adminstration thinks that Saudi Arabia is an ally and that "Islam is a religion of peace". Shows how much they know. They can't even identify America's enemy correctly.

Bush is much more trustworthy than his predecessor, but how do we know we can trust Bush's successors?

[MetaAlpha]

Bush will be suceeded by Bush (Jeb) so there's nothing to worry about.