Congressman Ron Paul (R) TX warns of coming gun confiscation

[Fletchette]

In no way do I believe Bush thinks in terms of a "police state", even if that's the outcome of his ideas. The man sincerely thinks he's doing good for the country, even in a Ralph Nader sense of protectionism.

And therin lies the problem: since he truly believes that he is doing good for the country he is deaf to criticism.

I am certainly in favor of having leaders with genuine beliefs; Klinton had no beliefs other than more power for himself. However, history shows us that some of the most damaging dictators truly believed what they were doing, no matter how crazy it seems to us, was for the good of the country. Read Hilter's speeches, Stalin, Mao...even their personal writings not intended for public consumption reveal a divinity complex. They think they are infallible.

In my opinion, the Supreme Court is the real problem. They have a duty to judge unConstitutional laws such as the Patriot Act, Imminent Domain abuse, and McCain-Feingold as "unConstitutional", but don't. If we had a real Supreme Court the snowball would never started rolling.

 

[wingman]

That being said I asked for someone CAPABLE to run our country please stand up. Maybe what I should have asked for was someone who Capably understood the Constitution to stand up and give it a whirl.Quote:

Agreed, but could that person be elected, I believe the media would
cut him/her out within days.

 

[longeyes]

What I find scary is the lack of public debate and the lack of public outrage--about this and a number of other critical issues determining the future of this Republic.

So far the stentorian rhetoric on talk radio has yet to reach the streets. The general hypnotic state prevails.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Security at the cost of freedom

What I find scary is the lack of public debate and the lack of public outrage--about this and a number of other critical issues determining the future of this Republic.

Though the price of freedom is as high as ever, its perceived value seems to be at an all time low.

 

[longeyes]

Oh people want freedom: the freedom to consume and be left to party.

Not all, all too many.

That's not going to change until it has to.

I frankly don't think martial law would work in the U.S., not that the prospect isn't scary. We don't have enough military to deal with a nation this size, even if all of them were on the same page.

 

[wingman]

I frankly don't think martial law would work in the U.S., not that the prospect isn't scary. We don't have enough military to deal with a nation this size, even if all of them were on the same page.Quote:


Longeyes, I agree however we are so divided as a people many would simply
give up sad to say.

 

[TheOtherOne]

While I admire Ron Paul and his principled stands, my jury is out on Alex Jones.

I would say Alex Jones is a nutjob that I happen to agree with some of the time.

After seeing one of his movies I came to the conclusion that he's probably not really as crazy and paranoid as he would have everyone believe, he just puts on the act because it gets more attention and he can sell more videos.

 

[Fletchette]

What I find scary is the lack of public debate and the lack of public outrage--about this and a number of other critical issues determining the future of this Republic.

I agree. It seems that there is a huge disconnect between various groups of citizens within our nation. In my circle of friends, even those that voted for W, there is astonishment and vitriolic criticism of the Patriot Act, Imminent Domain abuses, the use of torture, withholding due process for citizens like Jose Padilla, gun confiscation in New Orleans, the nomination of Miers, rampant overspending, doing nothing on illegal immigration...the list of Constitutional infringements rival the number of scandals Klinton could get himself into.

Yet, the media, the Democrats, and your "Average Joe" just doesn't seem to care. Even during the election debates I was just waiting for Kerry to attack W on the issue of Jose Padilla and the holding of others indefinitely without trial...but he never brought it up! This tells me that Kerry would have done the same.

I just don't know what it will take before people en masse start caring about these things. We, as a people, cannot fix these injustices if only 1% give a damn.

 

[yucaipa]

Paranoid maybe, but calling him a nutjob from this article is not warranted IMO. I can't say looking at the current paths of things in this way is bad; it's a course of discussion that has its place.

I didn't mean to insult Congressman Paul, the article is very poorly written with all hot button issues the only thing things missing from the story was the "black helicopters" and the "microwaves"

 

[rick_reno]

In my circle of friends, even those that voted for W, there is astonishment and vitriolic criticism of the Patriot Act, Imminent Domain abuses, the use of torture, withholding due process for citizens like Jose Padilla, gun confiscation in New Orleans, the nomination of Miers, rampant overspending, doing nothing on illegal immigration...the list of Constitutional infringements rival the number of scandals Klinton could get himself into.

These people are clearly un-American. It's vital in this time of need that we support this President and his policies - regardless of how wacko they might appear. I wouldn't hang around with these friends too much, they could be looking at a free ticket to GITMO. Give them sunscreen for a Christmas present.

 

[wahsben]

I am in the process of reading The State VS the People Is America becoming a police state. I purchased it from the JPFO website. I am not very far along but it is very interesting thought provoking and frightning. I recommend reading it especially for those who think it can't happen here.

 

[Beethoven]

I'm surprised it hasn't been brought up yet, but there aren't serious plans to invade China and/or N. Korea, are there?

That strikes me as the ultimate of stupid ideas.

 

[rick_reno]

I'm surprised it hasn't been brought up yet, but there aren't serious plans to invade China and/or N. Korea, are there?

That strikes me as the ultimate of stupid ideas.

I'm sure everyone here would know. We better not invade China, our stores would be empty if we went to war with them. N. Korea, who cares. I read yesterday they wanted millions of bicycles.

 

[Standing Wolf]

big government flourishes under Republicans.

The Republicrats and Democans both love big government.

 

[spartacus2002]

What I find scary is the lack of public debate and the lack of public outrage--about this and a number of other critical issues determining the future of this Republic.

A significant number of folks believe debate about the future of this Republic is fruitless at this point, and that time is better spent convincing others to "buy it cheap and stack it deep."

As for GW (aka "the best President that Mexico ever had"), he's like his father: A man born on third base, who thought he'd gotten there by hitting a triple. He didn't get where he's at because of any managerial ability or intelligence or wisdom; he got there and has stayed there on the basis of three things: (1) swagger, (2) rich donor's money, and (3) Karl Rove. Other than that, he's an empty suit who doesn't realize how effectively his handlers handle him.

 

[cpileri]

I think he's done more damage to Constitutional rights than any other president in my lifetime has ever even dreamed of ... and that's saying a lot.

pax

+1!
I hear often that with a Republican controlled House, Senate, and Presidency; ‘they’ still have not ‘done anything’.

Really?

They have legalized detaining persons indefinitely and secretly without charges or trial. (by declaring them an ‘enemy combatant’)

They have enacted sweeping consolidations of power to within the central government and brought most of the government under direct control of the President by restructuring most agencies and bureaus under the DHS, and federalized many formerly private industries/functions (i.e. airport security) under the Oval Office, which now has a virtual monopoly on force.

They have eliminated your property rights by allowing to go unchallenged the Kelo decision, which makes it legal for your local, state, or federal government to confiscate your property for their own financial gain.

They have brought under control virtually all interactions involving exchange of materials, no matter how small or personal, even that which is completely INTRAstate, by declaring that all exchanges can ‘affect INTERstate commerce’ and therefore can be regulated as INTERstate commerce.

They have made political free speech illegal prior to elections by signing the McCain-Feingold law expanding government regulation of the timing, quantity and content of political speech.

Isn’t that enough? Is there anything left?

Yes, just one more thing:

The President now wants to remove that pesky Posse Comitatus Act restriction so that he can use the military for domestic security duties.

How much more of 'nothing' do we want?

C-

 

[pioneer]

well,from my observations on whats going on in this country and whats taking place out in the world,i would have to say possibly that our troops wouldnt try to go for martial law.it only depends on how loyal they are to the constitution and bill of rights.as for as could martial law happen anyways? i would say yes,but it wouldnt be our troops doing it.it would be united nations troops.and before anyone out there starts with the tin hat scenario,i would say this.how many nations out there partake in united nation military troop involvement when we go into other countries? or when the united nations calls out for help?? so people dont think it "cant" happen here.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Dubya was raised in a family which was specifically government as to career. He grew up in LBJ's "Great Society", with people who believe that government not only can but should try to solve social problems. Dubya is essentially a good-hearted guy who doesn't see the potential harm in his views of making life better for people in general.

He may be good-hearted ... or he may not. It is true that he comes from a family dedicated to political careers, but I'm glad you didn't call it "public service," because "self-service" would be a far more accurate description. My grandparents had GWB's grandfather, Prescott Bush, as a senator in Connecticut. They never had a single good word to say about the senator. I'm going to have to do some Googling, I think, but my fuzzy recollection is that there were some unseemly activities involved in Senator Prescott Bush's closet.

Mayhap the branch doesn't fall far from the tree.

 

[spartacus2002]

i would have to say possibly that our troops wouldnt try to go for martial law.it only depends on how loyal they are to the constitution and bill of rights.

The troops will not know any better, because they will be told there is a bird-flu quarantine they must enforce, or some other such hogwash.

 

[ceetee]

One small problem with speaking out:

Every grass-roots person I hear or read about that takes a stand and speaks out about these kinds of things is instantly demonized... No matter whether it's Cindy Sheehan, or Joe Wilson... the far right has become so good at taking people down that anybody speaking out is thoroughly painted as "un-American" or "unpatriotic" (or even treasonous). If they can't smear them directly, they make up lies to discredit them. If those lies are found out, they just go for revenge.

They're whittling away at our civil rights, yes, but through legislation like "No Child Left Behind", they're taking steps to "dumb down" our children. A less educated populace is easier to control. With the carrot-and-stick of press access, they control nearly all of the "liberal" news media, knowing that if you control a person's information sources, you control that person's mind. They've paid "respectable" journalists to write propaganda couched in the form of editorial content.

I refuse to believe that all conservatives are like that... but the ones in charge are. Whatever has to happen better happen soon!

 

[Biker]

You pretty much nailed it, Spartacus. The troops are the last ones to know anything. We got the news the brass wanted us to get. If the battle hardened troopers from Iraq are used, they'll likely buy the whole tamale, short of firing on civies. NG types are less likely to do either. I know, I was pretty much there. You start to..*believe*. I worry sometimes...
Biker

 

[Ryder]

Ron Paul knows more inside info than any of us about what's going on in DC. Judging by his past performance I'll take this heads-up seriously. I haven't perceived that he is the kind of guy to jerk our strings for his own purposes.

they're concerned about the remnant

And what was that in New Orleans? Some infinitesimal percentage of the few who didn't actually evacuate in advance? They should worry if they are planning to send authorities into an intact community to run roughshod over them.

Here I was all ready to die nice and quiet in my own home from the flu this Winter only to find out I might actually get to fight evil. Sweet! What more could a guy guy ask for. Hahaha.

 

[GunGoBoom]

They did. They do every election cycle.

But you voted for the lesser of two evils -- and got evil.

Amen - +1

Don't blame me; I voted for the Libertarian party dude.

 

[pioneer]

as for me i voted for the constitutional party,but like it did any good.

 

[roo_ster]

Every grass-roots person I hear or read about that takes a stand and speaks out about these kinds of things is instantly demonized... No matter whether it's Cindy Sheehan, or Joe Wilson...

I can agree with you in some respects, especially when some person brings up uncomfortable truths, but I think we have different ideas of "grassroots."

Cindy Sheehan has been a leftist anti-war agitator for a while. She has the backing of the largest PR firm owned by lefties on the planet. Who was paying for a ll the chow, porta-potties, shelter, etc when Cheehan was camped out in Crawford? Who is paying to jet her around the 'states?

As for Joe Wilson, he was a high state dept official and ambasador. You don't get any less grassroots than that. The only time he was outside the beltway was when he was outside the country.

*****

GWB sure does seem to have faith in govt action.