Re: [Culture] Anti-Terror Watch List Keeps Kennedy Off Planes

[Benseraglio2]

In a message dated 8/24/2004 9:15:41 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: On 23 Aug, 2004, at 23:09, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > But seriously, Miggle, do you think it's likely that it will be > possible anymore for ANYONE to control ALL the secret agencies? But that is EXACTLY what the 9/11 commission has recommended, Kerry endorsed, and now some Senator (Republican chair of the Intelligence Committee, I think,) introduced a bill to implement that recommendation! [Just consider your position. One person will be in charge of something that they can't be in charge of. Which position is more worrisome?] Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, to be precise. He wants to do away with the CIA and break it up into three agencies: operations, analysis, Sunday School picnics. Basically he also wants to take away the Defense Department's (Rummy's) control of 85% of "intelligence". So his heart's in the right place, even though he's a loathsome Republican. > There are so many scary things to be scared about that currently the > last of my worries is another J. Edgar Hoover. Those days are over. If > they tried to construct a new one, the next day somebody from the NSA > or the Tripartite Commission would just leak it to the press that the > man likes to dress up in ladies' undies, with real time video, and > that would be the end of that. The Governor of New Jersey has eliminated THAT "check" on governmental power ... He's even established that you don't have to give up any power because of it, or because you resign! And don't forget, the reason that NOBODY opposed Hoover was that he had files on EVERYONE who might oppose him. One has to wonder what McGreevy had on Kirchner to get him to fall on his sword? OH COME ON MIGGLE -- are you seriously insinuating that McGreevy likes to dress up in ladies' undies??? Get a grip, yo! The erosion of Civil Liberties in the name of "keeping us safe" is VERY real. It started many years ago with the establishment of metal detectors at airports to prevent hijackings. The supernumeraries running them got increased powers after 9/11 to the point where you can't carry a pipe tool, nail file, cuticle scissors (let alone run with them) on to a plane. It happened in Boston for the Democratic Convention, and it is happening again in NYC for the Republican. [However, I do like New York's approach to the protesters ... be nice and we'll give you a free Circle Line cruise around NYC. I wonder if you have to "officially register" as a protester in order to qualify for your ticket ... ?] For real? A free Circle Line cruise ticket?? Count me in, dude. That is a WONDERFUL boat ride. If that's true, it will be splendid -- hundreds of boats circling Manhattan all week full of stoned harmonious protestors. Put some good bands on those boats and PARTY HEARTY!     Ross Bender http://rossbender.org