A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defense against foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.James Madison
Founding Father, Fourth President of the United States

Thanks, Justin!

In the midst of the post-September 11 clamoring for justice, many Americans have readily accepted attacks on their civil liberties. A few individuals have addressed the aggressors, with John Ashcroft and John Poindexter drawing the bulk of the ire. The megalomaniacal fervor displayed by these two “patriots” is undeniable. However, there is little mention of a larger problem: we, the apathetic people.

The media repeatedly informs us that we are now a vigilant people. We are so vigilant that rather than demand genuine improvements in the security of our air travel, we Americans have allowed the development of futile safety standards and an increased visibility of security to satiate our need for actual security. Knitting needles, initially banned following September 11, are again in the cabins of airplanes. Likewise, scanning of checked luggage for explosives rarely occurs. Evidently, our vigilance only lasts until it is inconvenient.

Apathetic Americans are currently allowing national security concerns to trample our constitutional rights. Basic civics teaches us that the fourth amendment guarantees each American freedom from unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause. Ashcroft and Poindexter will gladly pilfer your fourth amendment rights from you in this time of terror, the former with the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and the latter with his Total Information Awareness system.

An otherwise-intelligent American recently said to me, “I am not doing anything wrong, so why should I be afraid? Let Poindexter track my every move. Let Ashcroft try me in a secret court.” Skilled politicians easily manipulate those suffering from a myopic worldview. This is the most dangerous outlook to possess in times such as these and precisely that which we must combat if we are to preserve our freedoms. These are the attitudes that breed complacency. Complacency, once achieved within the masses, frees the authorities to alter reality. This includes dictating right and wrong.

It is critically important that we prevent Poindexter from assembling a dossier on every American by simply crying “Terrorism!” Most Americans, when informed, would not support this “experiment” with information gathering technology, budgeted for $200 million, enabling the gathering of every detail of the private and public life of every American without showing cause in open court. Likewise, there should be an outcry against Ashcroft’s prosecution of American citizens in secret tribunals. As Poindexter’s motto reads, “Scientia est Potentia,” knowledge is power. This power cannot lie in the hands of these men, while we sit accused of nothing. The apathy must stop here. It is imperative that Americans begin to engage in active citizenship.

In this tumultuous time, some are grasping for power that would be far out of reach in simpler times. Our new vigilance seemingly does not apply to protecting our inalienable rights as Americans. This unchecked ambition must not thrive. Adaptations are necessary in any time of war, but we must not sacrifice the fundamental freedoms that separate this nation from the rest of the world. It is the loss of those freedoms that will signal the victory of the terrorists.

Shannon smells like teen spirit!

Please join me in celebrating the birth of my younger sister, Shannon. She turns 20 years old today! That’s right, no longer a teenager. To celebrate, we shall all bask in the glory of her grunge youth. Doesn’t she look straight out of Seattle, circa 1992? Classic. Hoch sol Sie leben, dreimal hoch, hoch hoch hoch! You can leave your birthday well-wishes for her in the comments section.

Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, dedicating 20,000 troops to domestic response — a nearly sevenfold increase in five years — “would have been extraordinary to the point of unbelievable,” Paul McHale, assistant defense secretary for homeland defense, said in remarks last month at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But the realization that civilian authorities may be overwhelmed in a catastrophe prompted “a fundamental change in military culture,” he said.

The Pentagon’s plan calls for three rapid-reaction forces to be ready for emergency response by September 2011. The first 4,700-person unit, built around an active-duty combat brigade based at Fort Stewart, Ga., was available as of Oct. 1, said Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of the U.S. Northern Command.

If funding continues, two additional teams will join nearly 80 smaller National Guard and reserve units made up of about 6,000 troops in supporting local and state officials nationwide. All would be trained to respond to a domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive attack, or CBRNE event, as the military calls it.Spencer S. Hsu and Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writers

Write Congress

and/or

Call Congress

I’m with Cato Institute Vice President Gene Healy. He warned of “a creeping militarization” of homeland security. I mean, isn’t this what the National Guard is supposed to do? Perhaps this is why we shouldn’t have them guarding other nations, n’est-ce pas?

“There’s a notion that whenever there’s an important problem, that the thing to do is to call in the boys in green,” Healy said, “and that’s at odds with our long-standing tradition of being wary of the use of standing armies to keep the peace.”

Here, here, Healy! Just like when Bush suspended Habeus Corpus (see video below), we are seeing our long-standing freedoms eviscerated before our glassy eyes. Make sure you note that this is already happening. The first troops were deployed inside the United States in October. The Pentagon saw no protestors in the streets following that “soft open,” so they are now expanding their program. Don’t let this lamest-of-ducks President or the terrified flock of ducks in Congress inflict our military upon us at home. Take a moment to contact your own, personal lame duck. Use the handy form above.

Take back the reins! Demand your freedoms! Anything less is un-american!

An Administrative Review Board has reviewed the information about you that was talked about at the meeting on 02 December 2005 and the deciding official in the United States has made a decision about what will happen to you. You will be sent to the country of Afghanistan. Your departure will occur as soon as possible.The United States Government

As Roger Cohen puts it in his New York Times op-ed, “That’s it, the one and only record on paper of protracted U.S. incarceration [at Guantanamo Bay]: three sentences for four years of a young Afghan’s life, written in language Orwell would have recognized.”

I’ve been on line since yesterday morning…Unnamed Wal-Mart Shopper

This is what was uttered when a shopper was told to leave the store because a Wal-Mart seasonal employee was just trampled to death by a horde of 2,000 Black Friday shoppers (including the speaker) on Long Island. You know, I’m sure Sam Walton’s vision for America was the looming threat that any of his stores could turn into a crime scene immediately following a celebration of thanksgiving.

This is disgusting. We are literally willing to kill each other to save a few bucks at retail. We are just one step away from the Colosseum, people. Grab the reins!

On November 18, Sunflower Electric Power Company filed a lawsuit alleging that state officials violated the Commerce Clause and Sunflower’s equal protection rights when they denied Sunflower’s permit application to build two 700 MW coal-fired power plants in southwestern Kansas.CREDO action

Dear readers, what is mantra #2? Look at it. It is right over there…(points eyeballs towards right-center of screen)…repeat after me, “A corporation does not have inalienable rights!” Very good, class!

Equal protection? Are you kidding me? The really sad and disgusting thing about this lawsuit is that under the current legal structure in the United States, corporations DO have a right to equal protection under the law. That is equal protection to that afforded to you and me, the actual, human citizens. This mentality must change. These laws must change. Take a moment to contemplate our current reality. Do you think corporations deserve protection equal to you, an individual citizen? Do yourself a favor and check out The Corporation. It is a wonderful compendium of the history of the entities known as “corporations” and the evolution of their rights in the United States. A riveting film and essential viewing for anyone that wants to understand our current economic crisis.

So, that’s two things to do: 1) Tell Sebelius to keep fighting and 2) Watch The Corporation. If I were you, I’d get all this homework done now so you can just relax over the long weekend. Even better, kick back with your family and watch the movie! Spread the word! Keep fighting the good fight, one turkey corporation at a time!

Nevermind the turkey slaughter in the background. Sarah just wants to talk about how she is relieved to be away from such a cutthroat business. Happy early Thanksgiving from the Palins to you!