Monday, August 23, 2010

Public Policy; of drones, big brother and the ever growing police state America

Years ago as a young commissioned officer I stated to my boss that as a student of history I had become aware of America as a Euro Anglo nation not just as policeman for the world but as policeman for the oligarchy regardless of national boundaries, political philosophy or international alliance.

Needless to say my boss was alarmed---to say the least. He lectured me about serving the “greater good.”

The “greater good” I summized is Euro Anglo-speak for “the lord’s work.” The “lord” being either a person’s ideal creator or the boss or depending on personal views maybe both. No? That brings us back to my original assessment doesn’t it?

Many, many years later I am more convinced than ever of the correctness of my assessment. Even a glance at the headlines shouts it with a vengeance.

The wealthy have ever used those it oppresses to guard its back. The concept is integral to the very existence of the members of the wholly trinity; government, big business and organized religion.

The story of the Scarlet Pimpernel is the perfect example of my belief. I long ago knocked off that creep as but a snitch for the oligarchs.

Speaking of snitch lapdogs and there are many…

No doubt you’ve noticed our public policy of taxing the poor into greater poverty at all levels while awarding more and greater tax breaks and credits to corporations.

No doubt you’ve noticed that hard-earned pensions have mostly disappeared even as the CEO’s of those companies we subsidized two years ago earn millions in bonuses.

You’ve seen the vindictive and anachronistic policy of punishing Cuba while bestowing “favored nation” status on China for the same sin?

No doubt you’ve noticed that with the exception of the border shared with Mexico port cities, international entrance points and the three-thousand mile border with Canada are not lined with Border Patrol agents, drones or other law enforcement. Racist! The dickens you say?




None of this is new. In a Playboy interview in July 1978 William Colby, then head of the CIA, was asked what the greatest threat facing America was (at that time). Colby’s response may surprise many since in 1979 we were locked in the Cold War with the Soviet Union and wary of China---Colby’s response, “Latin America and in particular Mexico.” Adding, “We don’t have enough bullets to stop them all.”

The greater good indeed.

Hasta Siempre,


More:

no not the longest border …….shades of Terminator, 1984 and Brave New World…
House approves more agents, drones on border
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/10/house-approves-more-agents-drones-border/

Drones, agents to increase
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/dronesagents_toincrease_101276819.html

What Is the FBI Doing with Racial and Ethnic Data?
The FBI has been collecting race and ethnicity data in Texas. For what purpose? That's what the ACLU of Texas aims to find out, but already there is cause for alarm.

According to a 2008 FBI operations guide, FBI agents have the authority to collect information about and map so-called "ethnic-oriented" businesses, behaviors, lifestyle characteristics and cultural traditions in communities with concentrated ethnic populations. The FBI’s attempt to collect and map demographic data using race-based criteria for targeting purposes invites unconstitutional racial profiling by law enforcement.

The ACLU of Texas has joined ACLU affiliates in other states to submit Freedom of Information Act requests to the FBI, asking the agency to turn over records related to its collection and use of race and ethnicity data in Texas communities
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Rafcv9gTU

Limited spiritual support in Virginia prisons as number of Muslim inmates grows

“He made his way to the prison's chapel, where murals of the "Last Supper" and the Crucifixion were concealed by light-blue bedsheets. He'd come here, as he does twice a month, to lead Friday prayer services for more than 40 Muslim inmates, many of them converts, and try to moderate their embrace of a new and unfamiliar faith…

The role the Muslim chaplains play is crucial, because prisons can be a breeding ground for Islamic extremism, said Asghar Goraya, executive director of Muslim Chaplain Services of Virginia.

But the relationship between the Virginia Department of Corrections and minority faith leaders has long been mired in one of the state's most glaring anachronisms.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/21/AR2010082101325.html?wpisrc=nl_headline

Bexar County Public Policy: Americans; so ugly---why do “they” hate us? (whine, whine) Gee, I wonder….
http://robertruiz-respublica.blogspot.com/2010/08/bexar-county-public-policy-americans-so.html

Bexar County: Public Policy: term limits; auto-pilot governance
http://robertruiz-respublica.blogspot.com/2010/08/bexar-county-public-policy-term-limits.html
http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-san-antonio/bexar-county-public-policy-term-limits-auto-pilot-governance

armed combat drones to target terrorists and insurgents (and americans, too) because we say so.....shades of Dark Ages Europe and England and the folk support it---terminator redux
Will Video Games Help Air Force Recruit Drone Pilots?
The U.S. military is increasingly using armed combat drones to target terrorists and insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan. remotely piloted aircraft, or RPA -- known as drones in popular parlance -- are unmanned, but the Air Force still needs pilots to direct them from a remote base.
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/air-force-working-on-video-game-to-recruit-drone-pilots/19600804

Politics: Afternoon Edition: Election losses file down Palin's 'mama grizzly'
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/palin_tracker/?wpisrc=nl_pmpolitics

France begins Roma expulsions
France has begun deporting hundreds of Roma travellers to Romania and Bulgaria, in a move that critics fear could spark racism and further discrimination against a vulnerable community.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201081984627757575.html

Stephen Colbert vs Ayn Rand?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-tIY99QFFk&p=FCB52A4E087F52C1&playnext=1&index=52

Bexar County Elections 2010: transparency in the political arena?
http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-san-antonio/public-policy-transparency-the-political-arena-is-an-oxymoron-at-best

WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Accused of Rape
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-charged-with-rape-in-sweden/19602911?icid=main

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Sweden withdraws warrant for WikiLeaks founder
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100821/ap_on_hi_te/eu_sweden_wikileaks

WikiLeaks founder says rape claim is 'dirty tricks'
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100821/ts_afp/swedencrimeintelligenceinternetwikileaks

What Is the FBI Doing with Racial and Ethnic Data?
ACLU Seeks FBI Records
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Rafcv9gTU

How Kids Really Learn
http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/testing-kids-testing-teachers

William Colby
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Colby

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