[Consort]

A permanent informer system is not neccasary to catch real criminals only neccassary for a gestapo.

Ask any law enforcement official how important informers are in catching criminals and solving crimes. And, who said anything about "permanent"?

[weikel]

If someone sees something suspicious which might be connected with terrorism they can call and report it fine. You don't need informers for that. Special informers to infiltrate terrorist organizations are also useful. Employing ordinary people to just rat out everyhting they might deem suspicious or subversive will not help with either of the above type of categories it will however make setting up a secret police to suppress dissent pretty damn easy though.

[freeeee]

who said anything about "permanent"?

Please do tell us the day we'll hear this:

"My fellow Americans, I thank you for your help and support in the War on Terrorism. Since we have won that war, and terrorism is no longer a danger, we are ending the TIPS program and other 'war powers' we have used."

Maybe when Hell freezes over?

[Consort]

....and a gestapo is comprised of government personnel; TIPS will be people like you and me. If we don't do it, then eventually a gestapo will. Now, just who do you want to do it?

[Phantom Lord]

And, who said anything about "permanent"?

Please provide a list for us of "temporary" things the government has instituted?

Here are a 2 "Temporary" things they have instituted that are still with us today.

1) A tax on your phone for the purpose of funding the Spanish-American War
2) Income Tax Withholding

The list is virtually endless and far too time consuming to list here. It is going to be a lot easier for you to list the "temporary" things that were actually "temporary".

[down the rabbit hole]

Nazis used informants. East Germany used informants. The Soviet Union used informants. And now America is going the same way? I see. Bush and company are turning this into a Fascist State! And if you support this, you are supporting Fascism, pure and simple.

Understand one thing. When this happens it will become permanent. This is not temporary.

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE IN A FASCIST STATE?