If We’re Protecting Ourselves, Why Do We Need a Police State?
By Mary Theroux • Monday May 10, 2010 9:45 PM PDT • 7 Comments
The discovery of the Times Square SUV bomb by a Muslim street vendor is but the latest civilian thwarting of an attempted act of terrorism. Earlier civilian action foiled attempted plane bombings by the underwear bomber and the shoe bomber, and of course the sole aircraft that failed to hit its intended target on 9/11 was brought down not by the billions of dollars of heavy flying artillery the U.S. military maintains, but by its civilian passengers.
Which begs the question: Why is it that we’re all baa-fully turning one liberty after another over to the Police State—and paying for the privilege, to boot?
Hillary Clinton and Eric Holder rattled sabers in their rounds of the Sunday news shows—adding Pakistan to the long and growing list of terror-breeding enemies to be guarded against, and warning the Pakistan government—previously heralded as an ally—that the U.S. expects “more” from it in fighting terrorism.
With the axis of evil growing ever-larger and more far-flung, Americans can only expect further losses of our rights, privacy, and any remaining, minimal civility from our “public servant” police and security forces.
But why? There’s little evidence the police state that has grown exponentially since 9/11 is producing anything other than more terror. And if the premise that such belligerence is the greatest creator of terrorists, Canada may soon be the latest joining the evil axis, if this treatment of a man and his wife foolish enough to think the U.S. would welcome shoppers to its shores is any indicator:
While luckily (and likely narrowly) escaping arrest so far, I’ve experienced first-hand this kind of belligerent “because I said so” attitude that is very difficult for one raised to view oneself as a free and autonomous adult not to react badly to—as I’ve no doubt most people who travel or otherwise come into contact with the increasingly officious clerk class have as well.
Is it finally time for everyone to yell, “I”m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore”? They can’t arrest us all.
Tags: Civil Liberties, Criminal Justice, Liberty, Pakistan, Peace, Personal Liberty, Police, Power, Terrorism, The State, War, Weapons 
It’s time but it will not happen. The masses (all but you and me) are ignorant, gullible, apathetic, and infantile
richard | May 11, 2010 | Reply
The audio clip makes me sick to my stomach. I’ve always viewed the police as people who help protect us from criminals, help us if we’re in an emergency. They’re like Cartman on South Park – any one questions their ‘authoritay’ and it’s all over.
Paula | May 11, 2010 | Reply
That’s right, Paula. The police’s “mission creep” to fighting countless “wars”—including the War on Drugs, War on Terror, and now, in Arizona at least, a War on Illegal Immigrants, has corrupted a force envisioned “to serve and protect.”
Time to admit it and take their “authoritay” away!
Best wishes,
Mary
Mary Theroux | May 12, 2010 | Reply
Unfortunately, as the US has moved closer and closer to China through Trade, our Laws and Policies have begun to shift as well.
With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the ever increasing additions to it’s ranks (as well as the ballooning numbers private security for corporations) if you look closely you will see that US and China laws are becoming more and more similar.
It is my wonder that one day will the US be the Communist State and China be the Capitalistic Wonderland?
Raymond Rose | May 17, 2010 | Reply
Expect a little attitude from from law enforcement when you act the ass like this man! Just because you say you are not a terrorist does not make you a wonderful person, trust me.
Of course the officer doesn’t like you, you are a belligerent jerk. Instead of being an ass, just simply answer the question in a straightforward manner without all the pre-planned attitude so you can record an officer’s trained response.
Were all Canadians asses like this man I’d keep them on that side of the border too.
Oh, and no, I don’t work for CBP or any other police entity. However, years ago I was a police officer who had to deal with citizens constantly trying to tell me how to do my job, telling me I was going to get sued, going to lose my job, going to jail, etc., etc., etc., when all I was doing was exactly what I was trained to do legally, efficiently, professionally and with an attitude of service towards my community!
Ninety percent of folks just simply don’t understand what law enforcement does and get an attitude when they are contacted by an officer. Police do not have some inborn criminal radar that lets them simply look at a person and know they are up to no good. They have to actually ask questions of people hundreds of times a day and then sift through the lies and attitude they get. The man recording this incident correctly found that when you give an officer attitude from the very get-go you will be detained so they can find out why you are giving that attitude. Simple!
Reid | May 18, 2010 | Reply