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cynthiak23
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« Reply #61 on: April 10, 2008, 08:21:57 AM » |
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The Emerging Surveillance State
by Ron Paul
Last month, the House amended the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to expand the government’s ability to monitor our private communications. This measure, if it becomes law, will result in more warrantless government surveillance of innocent American citizens.
Though some opponents claimed that the only controversial part of this legislation was its grant of immunity to telecommunications companies, there is much more to be wary of in the bill. In the House version, Title II, Section 801, extends immunity from prosecution of civil legal action to people and companies including any provider of an electronic communication service, any provider of a remote computing service, “any other communication service provider who has access to wire or electronic communications,” any “parent, subsidiary, affiliate, successor, or assignee” of such company, any “officer, employee, or agent” of any such company, and any “landlord, custodian, or other person who may be authorized or required to furnish assistance.” The Senate version goes even further by granting retroactive immunity to such entities that may have broken the law in the past.
The new FISA bill allows the federal government to compel many more types of companies and individuals to grant the government access to our communications without a warrant. The provisions in the legislation designed to protect Americans from warrantless surveillance are full of loopholes and ambiguities. There is no blanket prohibition against listening in on all American citizens without a warrant.
We have been told that this power to listen in on communications is legal and only targets terrorists. But if what these companies are being compelled to do is legal, why is it necessary to grant them immunity? If what they did in the past was legal and proper, why is it necessary to grant them retroactive immunity?
In communist East Germany , one in every 100 citizens was an informer for the dreaded secret police, the Stasi. They either volunteered or were compelled by their government to spy on their customers, their neighbors, their families, and their friends. When we think of the evil of totalitarianism, such networks of state spies are usually what comes to mind. Yet, with modern technology, what once took tens of thousands of informants can now be achieved by a few companies being coerced by the government to allow it to listen in to our communications. This surveillance is un-American.
We should remember that former New York governor Eliot Spitzer was brought down by a provision of the PATRIOT Act that required enhanced bank monitoring of certain types of financial transactions. Yet we were told that the PATRIOT Act was needed to catch terrorists, not philanderers. The extraordinary power the government has granted itself to look into our private lives can be used for many purposes unrelated to fighting terrorism. We can even see how expanded federal government surveillance power might be used to do away with political rivals.
The Fourth Amendment to our Constitution requires the government to have a warrant when it wishes to look into the private affairs of individuals. If we are to remain a free society we must defend our rights against any governmental attempt to undermine or bypass the Constitution.
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cynthiak23
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« Reply #62 on: April 18, 2008, 01:00:57 PM » |
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I went to the Freedom Rally and it was great!!!  Exclusive! RON PAUL@ Tax Protest - DC Freedom RallyRon Paul speech on 4/15/2008 Tax Strike, Freedom Rally, Washington DC, nationwide protest. As predicted, MSM failed to broadcast the news....here it is, straight from DC....sorry the audio in the first portion is muffled....I attempted to add the text portions as best as I could hear ...More footage to come, I was in a hurry to get this on of Ron Paul posted.... It was a wonderful historic and patriotic event.... the Revolution is just beginning! Watch the Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLxLTlxp7r8 WE the PEOPLE Show ME THE LAW or END IRS at FREEDOM RALLY 08Watch the Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37BjKwX10y4Speaking is Bob Schulz, the founder of the We The People organization, has been leading a nationwide program aimed at holding the federal Government accountable to the Constitution, with particular emphasis upon the Government's violation of the war powers, tax, money and privacy clauses. The organization's program rests on the individual's Right to Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances an unalienable Right guaranteed by the last ten words of the First Amendment. Sign the Petitions for Redress of Grievances on We the People website...The First Amendment Right to PetitionSignatures collected are currently scheduled to be served on the Government during May, 2008 http://www.givemeliberty.org/RTPLawsuit/SignPetitions.htm
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Great way to keep up with The "Real" News! "We The People" Radio NetworkRestoring Our Constitutional Republic Listen live on the internet and hear what the media won't tell you.http://www.wtprn.com/listen.shtml
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cynthiak23
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« Reply #63 on: April 22, 2008, 02:33:08 AM » |
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The Revolution: A Manifesto AVAILABLE NOW!Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for! Amazon is now shipping the book. I got a copy over the weekend and am 7/8 of the way through it. It is a masterpiece. A blockbuster of a book! Get your copy now, and help put it up onto the NY Times best seller list!  http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manifesto-Ron-Paul/dp/0446537519If you're lucky enough to be in Missoula MT today, he'll be at the University Bookstore between 4:30 - 6:00 pm signing books! Below is a full schedule of his activities today, from the official site. http://www.ronpaul2008.comApr 21 Book SigningUniversity Center Bookstore, Missoula, Montana 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM MT Gathering of Ron Paul Meetup GroupsUniversity Center Commons and Food Court, Missoula, MT 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM MT
Ron Paul speaks at the University of Montana - MissoulaUniversity Center Ballroom, 32 Campus Drive, University Center, Missoula, MT 59812 7:30 PM MT
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Great way to keep up with The "Real" News! "We The People" Radio NetworkRestoring Our Constitutional RepublicListen live on the internet and hear what the media won't tell you.http://www.wtprn.com/listen.shtml |
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cynthiak23
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« Reply #64 on: May 01, 2008, 10:49:00 AM » |
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New Video from Ron Paul Let's take the country by storm again
by Ron Paul Today is an exciting day for our campaign and our movement: my new book, The Revolution: A Manifesto, is officially released. Although a short book, it is the product of many years of thought and action. It is a defense of the principles to which you and I have devoted our lives. My friends are calling it "Ron Paul's legacy." These principles - individual liberty, sound money, the Constitution, and the foreign policy of the Founding Fathers - have had no home in American politics for a very long time. With The Revolution: A Manifesto, I'm letting the establishment know we're not going away. Finally, Americans can hear and judge these great American principles for themselves, instead of through an unfriendly media filter. And they can learn once and for all that they need not be satisfied with the phony choices the system offers them every four years. Another way really is possible. Two days ago I did a book signing in New York at the Borders on Wall Street. All 530 copies had been sold before I even arrived.They had underestimated you again. Imagine the attention our cause and our principles could attract with a fantastic opening day today, with people marching into bookstores across the country for their copies. If it should become a publishing phenomenon, The Revolution: A Manifesto can fuel our revolution for a long time to come. You can make that happen. I hope you enjoy this book, which was a real labor of love for me. Please spread the word. And may the future be ours. For liberty, Ron Paul
Ron Paul's Book is #1 on Amazon!
The book is also now officially a New York Times bestseller!!! It is at # 7 on the list, which was tracking the previous week.
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Klondike
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« Reply #65 on: May 04, 2008, 08:57:35 PM » |
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While I did get a reply from Ron Paul that he would take an interest in pet food safety at least as a trade issue, I don't agree with the viewpoint that animal welfare is strictly a state's rights issue. (And I hope he is not totally against animal welfare laws as this piece suggests that he is due to being a Libertarian.) http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/print.asp?entryID=131083Congressman Ron Paul
His Record in Congress:Driven by attitude that the federal government should not play a role in protecting animals from cruelty. Rep. Paul one of only 31 members of U.S. House of Representatives who voted against every single animal protection measure that came up for a vote in 2007.
Voted in March to keep federal penalties weak for dogfighting and cockfighting... Voted in April against restoring decades-old protections for wild horses and burros, instead opting to let them be sold for commercial slaughter. Voted in June to allow wealthy American trophy hunters to shoot polar bears in the Arctic and bring their heads and hides back home... |
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« Last Edit: May 04, 2008, 09:18:54 PM by Klondike »
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"When a willing victim who has committed no treachery, was killed in a traitor's stead, the table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards" --C.S. Lewis
"Fascism should rather be called corporatism, as it is the merging of government and corporate power." --Benito Mussolini
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cynthiak23
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« Reply #66 on: May 16, 2008, 09:36:45 AM » |
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"The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding." -National Animal Interest Alliance
(http://www.naiaonline.org/about/positions.htm)It is NOT that Ron Paul is against laws that protect animals. What Ron Paul is advocating is that we restore power back to the states and it's citizens, as the Constitution has granted to us. It's the states and it's citizens that should make these kinds of laws, not the Federal government. Ron Paul has only voted for legislature that upholds the Constitution. The benefit of giving power back to the state level is that the laws are more easily enforced. Less bureaucracy, less red tape, and most importantly, the citizens will have more say in what goes on in their state, and because every state has different needs. As you know, it has been very difficult to have our voice heard. The Federal government ignores us and passes, or doesn't pass legislation regardless of what the majority wants. They consistently pass new laws behind our back, in secret and without our consent. Our government has grown way too big and out of control. With the states having more control of what goes on in their state, this would also bring down the tremendous, influential power the corporations now hold over our government. They (corporations like Monsanto) would loose much of their controlling power in government. Issues like GMO crops being planted in your state, the Real ID and the National Animal ID System would be in our hands to decide, NOT the Federal government and the corporations who stand to benefit from it. Whenever the Federal government gains full control over something, there is always bureaucracy, red tape and corruption involved. The laws never get properly enforced and always ends up being more costly. We do not need bigger government, we need to take back our voice in government at the state level where the laws can be more easily decided and controlled by it's citizens. I want my voice to be heard. I think it's time the people take more control over their lives and stop relying on the Federal government for everything. It's never worked effectively in the past and we always get more than we bargained for. Sadly, I am beginning to realize that most people don't really know how important the Constitution is. I am apt to believe anyone faulting Ron Paul, or anyone else for upholding the Constitution, doesn't really understand the necessity of the this document and how it protects us. The Constitution is the only thing that keeps America free and safe from a tyrannical government. I often wonder how many Americans have actually taken the time to read and understand what the Constitution is all about. In this video, it's interesting to hear what the King of Great Britain did to cause the colonists to write this document. This sounds all too familiar to what our government is doing now. Please watch this wonderful, moving video... Declaration of IndependenceVIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyttEu_NLUThe only one making any sense!C-SPAN: Ron Paul - OUR EMPIRE IS COMING DOWN!March 12, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoxlzPGIPt4Ron Paul and the Constitution Ron Paul talks about the Constitution and his positions.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHE_0bCSIVMRon Paul - Back to the Constitution (a powerful speech)September 18, 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbk3hDXxCpARon Paul on The ConstitutionRON PAUL our Next Leader to Free Societyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTwY-pAHNU
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DMS
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« Reply #67 on: May 16, 2008, 10:57:46 AM » |
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I still think we need federal government to regulate big businesses that operate nationally and multi-nationally, to protect the environment, and provide healthcare, etc. I don't think there is any harm in states augmenting those provisions, but we need a minimal standard, a framework of ethical regulation. We need standards suitable for all people and sustainable living. Bill Clinton's administration was very effective in implementing good environmental laws. Even then, there was room for improvement. But better standards were set in many areas--gmo's not one of them. But as soon as Bush got in, he began to dismantle and redefine Clinton's EPA laws one by one and is still at it. I think what is really important is who is leading the federal government. State administrations and legislators can be very corrupt as well. I'm not sure the people's voice comes through any louder at the state level from my own experience. It's more dependent on how receptive the leaders are to the people vs. big business. Take my state, Florida, for example. Look at the last two national elections. Another point in Florida (elsewhere substitute any conglomerate that exploits your state's resources), most of our leaders are in the pockets of developers, builders, phosphate miners (check out Mosaic's history of poisoning the people), ranchers--who are losing their influence--and anyone else who comes down here with a lot of money. Even at the county level, our County Commissioners are a done deal. We can talk till we are blue in the face, and residents have. But most decisions are made before the hearings. There has to be a cohesive force holding very different states with very different needs, cultures, economies, resources, etc together, IMO.
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« Last Edit: May 16, 2008, 11:04:09 AM by DMS »
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Klondike
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« Reply #68 on: May 16, 2008, 12:21:07 PM » |
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I respect Ron Paul and agree with him about a lot of things, but I do think we need federal environmental and animal protection laws. We just had a couple of cases here where research animals were being abused. The state has exempted research animals from their felony cruelty laws. Local and state governments are eager to get business taxes so the federal level is a check against corruption at lower levels. Both the cruelty cases here are being investigated as federal violations.
It's far from a perfect system, but a lot of the problems now are due to the fact that it is not just the Constitution that keeps us free and the government uncorrupt - the will of the people to do the right thing plays a big part.
I agree with Ron Paul that the federal government isn't serving us well right now in many ways, and we'd better pay attention collectively to that and start questioning where we are going as a country.
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"When a willing victim who has committed no treachery, was killed in a traitor's stead, the table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards" --C.S. Lewis
"Fascism should rather be called corporatism, as it is the merging of government and corporate power." --Benito Mussolini
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cynthiak23
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« Reply #69 on: May 16, 2008, 07:20:17 PM » |
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I would say the real problem is apathy. I strongly feel that if you don't like what your state and local government is doing, go out and do something about it. Get active, organize, get the information out to people in your area. Write, call, fax, or email your government officials, or better yet, talk to them in person. The easy way out is to wait for someone else to do it. The other easy way out is just to let the government decide for you.
People will always find an excuse why they can't do any of these things, or they will rationalize it by saying, "I am only one person, what difference can I make?". The truth is they just don't want to be bothered. Unless you are laid up in a hospital bed there is always something you can do if you organize your time. People's apathy is the reason why the power of the federal government has grown so out of control. This is why our voice is no longer being heard. It really bothers me to hear people whine and complain when they didn't lift one finger to try to make a difference.
It is really sad that there is so much apathy in this country. During the Pennsylvania primary, I worked my precinct polling place for 10 hours to promote certain delegates. My efforts paid off and all the delegates were elected. After the poll closed, I was told that only 25% of the registered voters voted. It is tragic that 75% of the people did not care enough to vote. It certainly wouldn't be difficult since all the polling places are conveniently located and open for 12 hours. They couldn't be all sick, so what was their excuse? I guess they would rather have someone else decide who will be elected. After which, they can whine and complain when they learn it's not what they wanted. Maybe some of them copped out by saying, "I am only one person, what difference can I make?", still not a good excuse.
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DMS
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« Reply #70 on: May 16, 2008, 07:42:55 PM » |
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I agree, apathy is a really big part of the problem. A democracy needs participation by definition. Or it isn't a democracy.
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Klondike
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« Reply #71 on: May 16, 2008, 10:50:32 PM » |
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I was reading that article about the Olmert investigation in Haaretz and wondering why the people in Israel don't put up with failed politicians the way we do, but it could be that our economy was so big and strong and we have been so safe for so long that we got complacent. We can't afford that anymore. And we should really care about wasted lives and suffering even if there isn't a draft or it is happening 'over there' where we can't see it.
It is like how Warren Buffet will not buy a company that he cannot understand - we should be the same way here about 'buying' a war. If we can't understand why or need to be tricked into one, we should not buy it. Same thing with occupying and policing most of the world on our shrinking dime.
Cynthia, you might want to read this address McCain gave to the Council on Foreign Relations. I don't know if the 2 Dems have the same global vision, but this is frightening to me. One area of concern is who will pay for this? It is certainly a New World Order to the nth degree in every way. We better have a big fat global tax to do this since why should we pay for it all?
We won't be able to pay for it with McCain free-trading our jobs away, anyway. I'll have to see if the 2 major Dems have made addresses like this and see how they compare. I don't even know if I want to know since I will feel total despair if they have the identical approach about trade and butting in all over the place to this extent.
I know the global police force is already in play. I think I read that there are about 3,000 of our police overseas now. We need them here! I just find it all crazy.
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"When a willing victim who has committed no treachery, was killed in a traitor's stead, the table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards" --C.S. Lewis
"Fascism should rather be called corporatism, as it is the merging of government and corporate power." --Benito Mussolini
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cynthiak23
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« Reply #72 on: May 19, 2008, 06:10:49 AM » |
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Cynthia, you might want to read this address McCain gave to the Council on Foreign Relations. I don't know if the 2 Dems have the same global vision, but this is frightening to me. One area of concern is who will pay for this? It is certainly a New World Order to the nth degree in every way. We better have a big fat global tax to do this since why should we pay for it all?
Klondike, Do you have the link to Mcain's address to the Council on Foreign Relations? |
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Klondike
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« Reply #73 on: May 19, 2008, 12:11:50 PM » |
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Whoops. Here it is: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20071101faessay86602-p0/john-mccain/an-enduring-peace-built-on-freedom.htmlThe CFR publishes Foreign Affairs.Here is one example of what he says that shows the globalist Free Trade agenda he expects us to pay and die for: "My administration, with its partners, will help friendly Muslim states establish the building blocks of open and tolerant societies. And we will nurture a culture of hope and economic opportunity by establishing a free-trade area from Morocco to Afghanistan, open to all who do not sponsor terrorism."There are plenty of big plans in that paper and much more about the trade agenda. |
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"When a willing victim who has committed no treachery, was killed in a traitor's stead, the table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards" --C.S. Lewis
"Fascism should rather be called corporatism, as it is the merging of government and corporate power." --Benito Mussolini
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cynthiak23
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« Reply #74 on: May 26, 2008, 11:58:23 AM » |
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Ron Paul discusses his book "The Revolution: A Manifesto"
on C-SPAN's "Book TV"
Upcoming Schedule:Monday, May 26, at 7:00 PM ET Monday, June 9, at 6:00 AM ET About the Program:Republican Presidential candidate, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) presents his thoughts on a series of topics, ranging from civil liberties to foreign policy and the economy. Rep. Paul contends that the United States government has deviated from the original understandings of the nations Founding Fathers. This event was hosted by the American Conservative Defense Alliance in Washington, DC. http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manifesto-Ron-Paul/dp/0446537519
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