Posted on 07/04/2003 10:14:58 PM PDT by Commie Basher
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NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20037
World Wide Web: http://www.LP.org
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For release: July 4, 2003
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For additional information:
George Getz, Communications Director
Phone: (202) 333-0008
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Color-coded terror alert system is useless and should be scrapped, Libertarians say.
WASHINGTON, DC -- The national color-coded terror alert system should be scrapped, Libertarians say, because it only alarms the public with warnings that are too vague to be useful.
"Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge risks becoming like the boy who cried wolf with his frequent, unsubstantiated orange alerts," said George Getz, Libertarian Party communications director. "Soon the public might start ignoring him -- and that could be a real disaster."
As the Fourth of July weekend approached, Department of Homeland Security officials declined to say whether they planned to raise the terror alert level from yellow to orange, the second-highest category. Since the system was instituted last fall, the threat has been raised to orange four times, and no attacks have taken place -- raising questions about the reliability of the underlying intelligence data.
One example: In February, Americans stockpiled food and water and rushed out to buy duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal their homes after the government warned about the risk of a chemical or biological attack.
At the time, Ridge claimed the intelligence reports were based on "multiple sources, obviously credible and corroborated." But days later he quietly canceled the alert after being forced to admit that the reports were "not as accurate as we thought."
An unreliable terror alert system may be worse than none at all -- which is why the program should be dismantled, Libertarians say.
"Telling a nation still reeling from the September 11 terrorist attacks to be on alert for another horrific attack -- without telling them when, where, or how it might occur -- is nothing more than scaremongering," Getz said. "In fact, every orange alert that is issued based on flimsy evidence actually endangers the nation by making Americans more likely to ignore future warnings."
The federal system also forces local police departments to squander tax money on unnecessary security precautions, he added.
"The U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates that cities spent $2.6 billion on additional security costs since the September 11 attacks, much of it related to 'code orange' overtime costs for police and other emergency personnel," Getz said. "These warnings actually made America less safe, because every dollar spent on imaginary threats is a dollar that can't be spent arresting an actual murderer, robber or rapist."
The solution is to replace the gimmicky color-coded system with one based on law enforcement needs rather than political posturing, he said.
"If the federal government obtains a specific, credible threat, it should share it immediately with local law enforcement officials and let them take the appropriate steps to warn and protect the public," he said. "But in the absence of solid information, it should cut the political chatter and refrain from alarming 280 million Americans with a vague, generalized terror alert."
Libertarians believe that preventing another terrorist attack is one of the most important functions of the federal government -- and that's why Americans should insist that it's done right, he said.
"This Fourth of July, let's declare our independence from unnecessary fear by pulling the plug on this counterproductive terror-alert system," he said.
"Libertarians believe that preventing another terrorist attack is one of the most important functions of the federal government -- and that's why Americans should insist that it's done right, he said."
From the responses it would that the lp's idea of getting this "most important function(s) of the federal government" done "right" would be to blame the Republicans and Democrats. The one decenting lp opinion was to revert to WWII style posters, which while being imaginative, would be about as effective as just blaming everyone else.
So it would appear that collectively, no one has a clue how the lp would accomplish this "most important function(s) of the federal government" because beyond complaining, the lp hasn't got a clue either. Symbolism over substance.
Good night.
So what? Bush was an alkie. Clinton smoked pot. Many Repubs and Dems engage in disreputable or odd behavior and it's overlooked. But when a libertarian does something offbeat, you make him a poster boy.
1. Trust the people to make their own decisions. Let airlines decide what security proceedures to use. Let airlines decide whather to allow pilots or passengers to carry guns, and whether to search luggage and how extensively, and let people vote with their money on which airline to trust and fly.
2. Stop interfering in foreign wars or taking sides in foreign disputes. Many have died from bombs and guns that have a US return address. This breeds hatred toward the US. Let's promote friendship will all nations, but be the defender of only our own.
3. Legalize drugs. This would do much to drain terrorists of funding. Sorry, it's true: the War on Drugs is a financially boon to terrorists. The DEA is one of terrorism's best friends.
All of the above are good libertarian ideas, and would go far in reducing terrorism.
Wrong, all of the above are the usual meaningless lp BS and would do very little to prevent future terrorist attacks on this nation...which according to the lp in the government's greatest responsibility.
Allowing the airlines to manage security is meaningless when the borders would be completely open and terrorists could bring nuclear devices in by rail, ship or truck...while the passengers in the aircraft have pitched gun battles because someone passed gas loudly.
The usual lp whine about previous foreign involvement is meaningless...there are people out there who want to kill us. You can't turn that back simply because some looney tunes is elected President...whining about the past is no defense.
And of course we get back to the foundation of many lp champions...legal dope. Legalizing dope would do little to stop the funding of the primary terrorist groups currently targeting the U.S.
So we keep coming back to the basic question stated in the lp's original article. "Libertarians believe that preventing another terrorist attack is one of the most important functions of the federal government -- and that's why Americans should insist that it's done right, he said."
How does the lp propose to accomplish this with totally open borders, whinning about previous foreign policy and legal drugs?
Is the lp totally lacking in substance and simply regulated to sitting on the side lines shooting off their mouths when they have no better ideas?
Offbeat? Turning yourself into a human smurf isn't offbeat, it's downright looney. Having druids as major candidates who's idea of debate is to spit on people isn't offbeat...it's desparate and sick.
Did he break a newly-discovered right hiding in the penumbra of a shadow of a phantom? "Equal treatment for politicians" is now a right?
No, not a right. Just hypocritical when Bushies harp on a libertarian taking collodial silver, but get upset when reminded of Bush's alkie background, or that he hid in the Air National Guard during Vietmen
No, we don't keep coming back. You keep coming back because you choose to disregard the answers you get.
Complaining, while evolving to a fine art by you folks, is not a viable option. So let us just say I'm waiting for an intelligent answer. (Please, I know I'm on an lp thread and might be expecting too much...no need to point it out.)
I already gave you my answer. You don't like it, but that doesn't mean I haven't answered you.
:::::crickets:::::
Fine. I can accept that answer.
But not while running for President. (Well, not so sure about Clinton, but that's another story.) I don't remember the LP guy's name at all, but I remember he was blue. LOL I guess that's one way to get attention for your party.
Oh, and not all of us LP'ers are for that whole open borders thing. I'm a firm supporter of Ranch Rescue on FR. Now, what has our Republican President done to seal the border besides NOTHING?
I'm not Libertarian, DUmmy! How many times do you have to be told that? How do you answer a question that starts from a false premise? That premise being that the borders are being protected by the one party cartel to begin with. Again, how can it be any worse? BTW, I still think you are one vile individual. Blackbird.
Sh!t man... Bush has incorperated more of Clintons platform than Slick Willie did in eight years.
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