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Ron Paul Warns The "USA Freedom Act" Is Just Another Name For Lost Liberty
Authored by Ron Paul via The Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity,
Apologists for the National Security Agency (NSA) point to the arrest of David Coleman Headley as an example of how warrantless mass surveillance is necessary to catch terrorists. Headley played a major role in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack that killed 166 people.
While few would argue that bringing someone like Headley to justice is not a good thing, Headley’s case in no way justifies mass surveillance. For one thing, there is no “terrorist” exception in the Fourth Amendment. Saying a good end (capturing terrorists) justifies a bad means (mass surveillance) gives the government a blank check to violate our liberties.
Even if the Headley case somehow justified overturning the Fourth Amendment, it still would not justify mass surveillance and bulk data collection. This is because, according to an investigation by ProPublica, NSA surveillance played an insignificant role in catching Headley. One former counter-terrorism official said when he heard that NSA surveillance was responsible for Headley's capture he “was trying to figure out how NSA played a role.”
The Headley case is not the only evidence that the PATRIOT Act and other post-9/11 sacrifices of our liberty have not increased our security. For example, the NSA’s claim that its surveillance programs thwarted 54 terrorist attacks has been widely discredited. Even the president’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies found that mass surveillance and bulk data collection was “not essential to preventing attacks.”
According to the congressional Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 and the 9/11 Commission, the powers granted the NSA by the PATRIOT Act would not have prevented the 9/11 attacks. Many intelligence experts have pointed out that, by increasing the size of the haystack government agencies must look through, mass surveillance makes it harder to find the needle of legitimate threats.
Even though mass surveillance threatens our liberty, violates the Constitution, and does nothing to protect us from terrorism, many in Congress still cling to the fiction that the only way to ensure security is to give the government virtually unlimited spying powers. These supporters of the surveillance state are desperate to extend the provisions of the PATRIOT Act that are set to expire at the end of the month. They are particularly eager to preserve Section 215, which authorizes many of the most egregious violations of our liberties, including the NSA’s “metadata” program.
However, Edward Snowden's revelations have galvanized opposition to the NSA’s ongoing violations of our liberties. This is why Congress will soon vote on the USA FREEDOM Act. This bill extends the expiring surveillance laws. It also contains some “reforms” that supposedly address all the legitimate concerns regarding mass surveillance.
However, a look at the USA FREEDOM Act’s details, as opposed to the press releases of its supporters, shows that the act leaves the government’s mass surveillance powers virtually untouched.
The USA FREEDOM Act has about as much to do with freedom as the PATRIOT Act had to do with patriotism. If Congress truly wanted to protect our liberties it would pass the Surveillance State Repeal Act, which repeals the PATRIOT Act. Congress should also reverse the interventionist foreign policy that increases the risk of terrorism by fostering resentment and hatred of Americans.
Fourteen years after the PATRIOT Act was rushed into law, it is clear that sacrificing liberty does little or nothing to preserve security. Instead of trying to fool the American people with phony reforms, Congress should repeal all laws that violate the Fourth Amendment, starting with the PATRIOT Act.
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Phoney Reforms...word
Every federal employee, from the President on down, must be fired/voted out. If they are good, they will fight for their job back. It's the only way to be sure.
"...the powers granted the NSA by the PATRIOT Act would not have prevented the 9/11 attacks."
You got that part right Ron... just in a way you can't possibly imagine.
Anyway... Death to the Fed.
THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
- In legal terms the United States of America is currently in a State of War: Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-107publ40/pdf/PLAW-107publ40.pdf
- During times of war and under the grounds of National Security, the Executive Branch is granted extraordinary powers to govern by decree if necessary; therefore, constitutional rights can be suspended at any given time and without notice if the government deems imperative.
martial law (mahr-sh;}l). (1933) l. 1he law by which during wartime the army, instead of civil authority, governs the country because of a perceived need for military security or public safety. - The military assumes control purportedly until civil authority can be restored. 2. A body of firm, strictly enforced rules that are imposed because of a perception by the country's rulers that civil government has failed, or might fail, to function. Martial law is usu. imposed when the rulers foresee an invasion, insurrection, economic collapse, or other breakdown of the rulers' desired social order. Black's Law Dictionary Ninth Edition
sedition, n. (l4c) 1. An agreement, communication, or other preliminary activity aimed at inciting treason or some lesser commotion against public authority. 2. Advocacy aimed at inciting or producing - and likely to incite or produce - imminent lawless action. Black's Law Dictionary Ninth Edition
18 U.S. Code Chapter 115 - TREASON, SEDITION, AND SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES -- https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-115
- During times of war and under the grounds of National Security, any form of dissent can be associated to Sedition and the subsequent ground(s) for Insurrection; thus individuals who advocate seditious activities will be tried under the Military Tribunal system. Read the contents of the U.S. Code: Title 50 - WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE, placing emphasis on CHAPTER 13—INSURRECTION (§§ 201 to 204–226) -- https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/chapter-13
- During times of war and under the grounds of National Security, compulsory internment of certain US Citizens and Aliens living in Continental United States and overseas possessions into designated military areas is LEGAL. Executive Order 9066 is a historical precedence for this case and these types of actions carried out by the Executive Branch are non-reviewable by the courts. -- http://www.ourdocuments.gov/print_friendly.php?flash=true&page=transcrip...
Read also Korematsu v. United States, 323 U.S. 214 (1944): http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=323&invol=214
It's 460 AD in Rome.
Shit moves so much faster these days. This slow-motion train wreck is preparing to go to warp-speed soon.
Government is the name of liberty lost.
The two are opposites.
Has Ron Paul actually made a difference, has he changed anything?
I can also say fuck Bernanke, fuck Corzine but the last time I checked they are both free and enjoy their millions.
Ron Paul is controlled opposition. Otherwise you wouldnt have heard of him in the mainstream media.
It's funny how they use the Headley example as an excuse for deep sixing our rights considering he was a CIA asset.
"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to losse"...?
Best statement I've heard yet philipat, freedom is an illusion propagated by the slavemasters, it's entirely a feelgood statement backed by nothing, and any serf who believes the Misinformation Serial Media (Because it's always pushing the same BS) is hopelessly lost in a fallacy that never was real. Freedom and Government are enemies of one another, period.
The more pertinent question is, have YOU actually made a difference or changed anything. If the answer is no, then it's a bit hypocritical to expect it from others, dontchathink?
I remove sidewalk manhole covers. The zombie "omg lol" texting hordes are being decimated.
Then Rome looted before the goths arrived?
Stop voting idiots......politicians are all corrupt including the Scottish Rite Ron Paul
Ron Paul’s Endorsement For Pay Campaign Scheme
They don't need your votes anyway, a senator owns the corporation that makes the Electronic Voting Machine anyway.... (Enough said?)
In legal terms the United States of America is currently in a State of War: Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) God, I just love lawyers. This war is NEVER meant to end. Therefore we are in a perpetual state of basic martial law FOREVA. :P
Government is never intended to end so why would war ever end?
Mankind is wedded to the insanity that is government and all of its evil offspring.
Good thing we have George Orwell writing the names of all the new rulez in New Bolshevik Amerika.
Look forward to the pink cuddly kittens act which authorizes DHS summary executions.
The problem lies with the nature of this war. It will never end therfore civil liberty is in the dust bin of history.Terrorist could never topple our government and subdue out people. The anti-terrorists have done it in short order.
In not so legal terms...bullshit. Congress has not declared war...and indeed specifically refused to declare war when then-Congressman Paul tried to have them do so.
"Just in a way you can't possibly imagine."
Got that right. Given that today is Star Wars Day, "May the fourth be with you" against the Myth Lord of 2000-2008. And his successors.
"...just in a way you can't possibly imagine."
Hey, ZerO, I'd venture to say that he more than imagines the reality of the 9/11 events; he just values his life too much to express his misgivings aloud.
I think you are right.
If Rand wins the Republican nomination he's as good as dead.
That's right, go pull the voting lever like a good sheeple, and then line up for your government injection.
You assume a sham election. This need not be the case. And we will kill you, and any other bitch who tries to inject us with anything.
Vote
Reload
Vote again.
The problem with Ron Paul's assertion is that he actually believes the government would stop doing this stuff is the laws were repealed.
It has been made very clear by now that that the government will break or make laws however it sees fit without reprecussions because there aren't any reprecussions to begin with.
I will say it once and I will say it again, the only deterrent is guillotines. I would even advocate for crucifiction for some of the low-life pieces of shit we have running this place nowadays. Only then would the government would think twice about its actions.
But lets be real here: The States will have to collapse before the point of second-thoughts and serious reprecussions ever comes around, and I will not stick around long enough and put up with this bullshit to see that time come.
Yeah, but where can you go to escape US tyranny that affords a comparable lifestyle/risk to the US itself?
Hong Kong is expensive.
Yeah, HK and Switzerland are sky-high expensive, but there are definitely more places that offer a great standard of living for a reasonable price.
Look at this survey that HSBS did for expats. Many of the top places are at the same level of expensiveness or way cheaper than the U.S. (which comes in 25th).
https://www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com/survey/
A lot of areas that you think are dangerous have outdated reputations from old propagandized stereotypes.
People do not realize that the United States is no longer "Where it's at" anymore. It is a fading empire that is starting to be superseeded by emerging nations with much more promise and potential.
I would honestly say everyone here should expat and get out now if they have the job/financial opportunity, ESPECIALLY if you are a male. Other than friends/family, you will not be missing out on anything if you leave the United States at this point.
Ron Paul, unfortunately, is just the current Emmanuel Goldstein...we saw how that all turned out.
If the world's privately owned Central Banks die we will be half-way home to being free.
On that count alone Ron gets a very furry two thumbs up...
Phony republic . Phony democracy
Plutocracy that has devolved into a kakistocracy.
Anything named "Patriot" or "Freedom" or "Liberty" is bound to be the exact opposite.
Welcome to: 1984, Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451.
Even though though propaganda requires the use of opposites I would still hate to see a "Torture for the Public Good Act"...
or "Comprehensive Patriot's Freedom We Care About The Children's Liberty Minimum Wage Anti-Torture Act"
The USA Freedom Act, aka, the Bill of Rights.
Come on RP you know the official story doesn't add up. To play the role of contrarian, pro-liberty guy you should tell Americans the truth even if they do not want to hear it. Nobody will listen to me. Why not use your good offices to endorse ae911truth.org for example.
Ummm, because he values his life?
"A real patriot will oppose the Patriot Act" Ron Paul
I would interject a Benjamin Franklin quote in here but the kiddies probably don't even know of him or what he ever said or did so it would be completely irrelevent.
Somebody hand me a plunger I have a clog.
Whats a plunger?
Exactly.
How will a plunger help you with your abbreviated footwear? Buy some real shoes, dammit.
Why doesn’t Ron Paul call out for an army?
Why hasn’t Ron Paul raised an army and overthrown the current regime?
The 9/11 shot fired across the bow was Anthrax.
Why doesn’t Ron Paul call out for an army?
Ummm... maybe because he's not a statist fool?
if you gotta go, take at least 10 of them with ya.
the only terror plots the govt has foiled are the ones it contrived itself.
if any "real" terror plot exists its chances of successfully being completed are the same they have always been.
if a terrorist gets on a jet and tries to take over the thing, the only ones who can stop him/them are the passengers themselves, govt isnt going to teleport in and save the day....
Power corrupts. Master race, exceptional people, chosen people, or dedicated public servant corrupts. Surveillance corrupts. What protects us from our protectors?
Trust becomes fatal. We trusted in the FBI's hair forensic frauds.
Freedom is the antithesis of control. Could the NSA be trusted? Not as revealed. Could Catholic priests be trusted with young boys? Can police be trusted with prisoners? Would the NSA report false information on its spying? Stalin used false information to convict Communist true believers. http://www.trotsky.net/trotsky_year/moscow_trials.html
What the NSA may report could be a lie. The new great horror: I'm from the NSA and j'accuse.
Here in The D ‘Immigration Officers’ moonlight as hired guns for The Man.
Lawyer: ICE Agent Acted ‘By The Book’ In Fatal Detroit Shooting
“Terrance Kellom was killed on April 27 during a round-up of crime suspects. Police say the 20-year-old Kellom lunged with a hammer before he was shot inside a house. Kellom’s father denies that his son had anything in his hands.”
Dead men don't tell tales. Police/prosecutor/judge Industrial complex protects its own.
I am simply tired of this shit.
Then do something about it, and stop complaining on the internet. ;)
Terrorist
an individual or group that uses terror to gain political advantage.
Sound familiar?
an individual or group that uses terror
You mean like the IRS?
That's whatta mean!
Irony is sometimes defined as something that is the exact opposite of the truth. There are no better examples of irony than the words used in the legislations (USA Freedom Act, Patriot Act, various "Free" Trade Agreements) that pop up with increasing regularity in America to specifically sacrifice freedom, centralize control and act in unpatriotic ways in direct contravention to the constitution.
The irony is obvious for some of us, unfortunately so many are bamboozled into believing they are still free living in a land with just laws for free men and this is all necessary to keep their 'freedom'.
Ignorance is Strength! Freedom is Slavery!
"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use those words to express meaning.” - Phillip K. Dick
It was called echelon before the patriot act. Lover and co moved into my bedroom etc back when I was married with my x long before 9/11. And my x reminded me that I had talked about a week when the TV acted like it was watching me ... With too much content coincidence to what I was doing or talking about after I had dine ir said it. I know I said not too long ago I thought that was 85 but that year I did Dallas for a year... I lived in that apt 86-88 and started dating my when I lived there. I had known him also since sixth grade as we lived pretty much down the street from each other. We just went to different elementary schools.
I think I lived there a year before I started dating him. Maybe less.
Sanity is a terrible thing to lose.
When it got real crazy is when I applied for this radio job and didn't get it and this chick who got the job gang banged them for the job. But then she had to clone me. Kind of snowballed after that with peeps jumping on the gang bang train.... It really got crazy about 93. or the crazy shit started. Not the clone job yet but other stuff.
Be better in a spooky movie!
They really attempted to stereo type my sexy voice into some sick commercials. Too say the least. To where it was nerve racking....really chased me from my voice.
My x has seen stuff since our diverse I am sure is making his eyes roll back into his head.
Whatever least I'm not getting cloned to fuck him.... Not like they if who the hell do they think they are now try to have a relationship of my x and I but not he and I but just the parts being played out in Kiki's evil voodoo dollhouse where dolls don't talk back.
Holy shit man, this isn't the schizophrenic help line, although I can see where sometimes it may appear so.
HAH!
LOL:
"sometimes it may appear so."
P.S.
How weird is "weird:"
http://www.doomsteaddiner.net/forum/index.php/topic,4155.msg74548.html#m...
All of this Fucking Shit is the reason I dislike the New England Patriots!
Then you're probably not going to like the Liberty Bowl either.
Hey let's give up that voting crap and crowd fund Washington D.C. politicians to pass the right legislation.
crowd fund Washington D.C. politicians
LOL... remove the terror and they'll collect < 1% of what they get now.
It's already been done.
Unfortunately, it was the wrong crowd.
Plus, I think that's illegal? You're not allowed to bribe congressmen to do the right thing.
Hey, let's give up the voting crap and as my father sued to always say:
"Drown them all and start again"
I'll besatisfied with putting them in prison as traitors where they belong.
Crowd funding? I think that's the current problem. It's just the wrong crowd doing the funding.
A very small, very elite crowd. Or as Carlin used to say: "It's a club but you ain't in it!"
Ron Paul is no conservative like Ron Reagan. He's a fucking sick Nazi asshole who is wrong on everything. He's an idiot and a terroristic kook. To hell with Ron "Hitler" Paul!
That was a devastating arguement.
S'not.
Why do you keep reminding ZH readers what an idiot you are.
You forgot the /sarc tag, no?
The fringes of Libertarianism and overt Socialism must be growing in power if Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul are going to run. Ten bucks says Rand is cutoff in the debate coverage (as Ron was) and Bernie is the next Hope and Change hero. Bernie of course would not win but his socialist rallying cry will be useful.
Rand Paul != Ron Paul - chalk and cheese.
It is absolutely the case that the conservative republican defenders of freedom against the socialist Obama have provided most of the votes to pass this piece of crap legislation and blocked repeated democratic efforts to remove some of its worst aspects.
I say this as a dedicated conservative republican who really can't understand why my party is so consitently wrong on this.
Blue and Red are BOTH owned.
Words to the contrary were merely sales bullshit.
For some reason, some significant segment of the population just can't comprehend that simple idea even when you smack them upside the head with it.
OK, that actually made me, as they say, LOL.
Here let me try to help you out.
Number One:
"...as a dedicated conservative republican..."
You are simply part of THE PROBLEM. Please tell me all the CONservatives that stood up to the Patriot Act, TARP, the Vietman War, The Korean War, Gulf War I, II, III, Afghanistan, welfare (defined as Soc Sec, Medicare, and every other piece of unconstitutional legislation of wealth redistribution)
Shall I go on? I think I shall.
Like the CON servative John Roberts who just simply re-wrote fucking Constitution to twist the Obamacare case the way he wanted it to go.
"...who really can't understand why my party is so consitently wrong on this."
If you cannot understand that you are just a fucking fucking mark who has been played for your vote and tacit support financial or otherwise of all the macinations of government which is THE ONLY SIDE well, then sir you are far too stupid to live ATMO and are polluting the fucking gene pool.
Which brings me to the coup de grace of idiocy.
"It is absolutely the case that the conservative republican defenders of freedo..."
Are you fucking kidding me? You mean the guys who are all gunh ho to KEEP the FBI, NSA, CIA, DOD, DEA, ICE and everyone elae rolling in cash even as we are a debtor nation with no mathmatical way to EVER balance our budget much less pay off said debt? You mean defenders of freedom who have effectively ENSLAVED future generations by leaving them with the tab for this Empire of Debt?
You mean the folks who crusade The Drug War? Continue to fund EVERY LAST UNCONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY even when they have to power of the purse in The House. And even when they had ALL THEEE - The White House, and both halls of Congress. You mean the guys who created Prescription Part D? Or guys like Newt Gingrich who actually beLIEvies the horse shit of "climate change".
Or perhaps you mean those freedom loving lap dogs of The State of Isarel who continue to sent (UNCONSTITUTIONALY I MIGHT ADD) BILLIONS of dollars to a corrupt, piece of shit GOVERNMENT in the middle of the desert because it has in their twisted minds some relationship to our National interest eventhough this foreign government has SPIED on our citizens & government AND EVEN LAUNCHED FALS FLAG MILITARY ATTACKS AGAINST OUR FORCES in the past. Yet is and ally?
You mean TRAITORS like that?
What you seem to miss is that your so-called "conservative republican defenders..." are nothing more than players on a greater team which is the enemy of humanity. It is called government. And if you continue to support it whether by tacit acceptance of its actions or outright endorsement YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN PART OF THE PROBLEM and an enemy to any true individuial liberty.
Unless of course your post was an elegant one of sarcasm. If that then bravo!
CompassionateCo.(rpse)
The dictatorship that is Barry & The Neocons usurps A. Hitler on every level.
Ron Paul is one of a few good men who exposes the hypocrisy and lack of transparency in Vichy DC.
You are a parasitic .gov spoon fed little shit of a troll.
They spy because they lie, and are a lie.
They desire to know who is on to their lies, and who knows that they are nothing but a lie.
Liberty is a demand. Tyranny is submission.
I propose the Fabulous Vacations for the Politburo Act (FVPA). That's the one where you sit all year in Guantanamo without suncream.
We Slavery is Freedomed some folks.
Ron Paul didn't say shit about the illegalities in the republican primaries.
Don't forget he collects a pension from the BEAST.
Actually you might want to check on that. I'm pretty sure Paul gave up his pension from Congress.
Even so if he did not read Murry Rothbard's explanation of how he lived in a rent controlled apartment contrary to his voews on rent control or the market. I think that applies to pensions or Soc Sec.
ALso pretty sure Paul brought up the illegal wars (all of them) multiple times during the debates and in his stump speeches. Pretty sure he harped on the Empire and all the troops stationed ILLEGALLY in foreign nations. Pretty sure there was some direct attacks on the party itself in regard Reaganism, The Bushes, and the 1994 Congress and alltheir actions. It was kinda the whole point of his campaign. Which is why the war like shit for brains, scared shitless pussified public was so easily turned away from him.
Actually it is a good time to be alive. We are on the cusp of history. The SCOTUS ruled for the people in Heller. The body politic has never been better armed and provisioned. The veil of lives woven by those that would rule over us is but a shredded tapestry. Cynicism is the order of the day. The system is bankrupt and the cogent are aware.
Dr. Ron Paul is a very intelligent man with many great ideas, but how realistic is it to make the assertions that he is often making with regard to the Congressional renewal of the Patriot Act? Frankly, we all know that Congress will vote en masse in favour of renewing the Patriot Act and that will simply render Dr. Paul's comments to be out-of-touch with the government of the day, and contemporary legislators. At what point do Americans take an honest look at Dr. Paul's rhetoric in opposition to government rhetoric? Which rhetorical argument makes the most sense in light of all the monetary investments into national security since 2001?
Unfortunately, as much as I like Dr. Paul he is not a down to Earth kind of thinker, and I am often left puzzled regarding continuity between Paul's ideas and that of national security advisors such as the NSA. Furthermore, I agree with the spooks at the NSA, and CSEC, when it comes to collecting metadata. I realize that most don't like or want the collection of metadata, but most are not tasked with a mandate to protect national security.
Passed Authoritarian Tyrranical Reign In and Of Terror Act -
how the US lost its mojo, became a nation of low IQ sheep and were duly led to the slaughter.
Its so over...
We're all slaves, we just get to choose our masters.