RoR: Forum

Post 0

Monday, May 23, 2005 - 4:00am

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Am I mistaken or was this already in progress during the McCarthy-era, although in a much smaller dimension?
The difference between inofficial blacklists and a legal spy on neighbours is only small and insignificant, so I think that it is not only a revival of the STASI or Gestapo, but also a revival of the "don't trust your liberal neighbour, he might be a commie"-McCarthyism.

Post 1

Monday, May 23, 2005 - 7:46am

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Adam, thanks for the link. I found this part more than moderately disconcerting ...
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"If you 'witness' certain drug offenses taking place or 'learn' about them, you must report the offenses to law enforcement within 24 hours and provide 'full assistance in the investigation, apprehension and prosecution' of the people involved. Failure to do so would be a crime punishable by a mandatory minimum two-year prison sentence ... "
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Ed

Post 2

Monday, May 23, 2005 - 8:02am

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Before we declare the U. S. a police state, it's probably a good idea to distinguish between a bill, which any lone idiot can enter into the congressional hopper, and a law, which must pass both houses of Congress, be signed by the President, then pass judicial muster when (inevitably) challenged in court.

I am willing to take bets that this particular piece of idiocy will get absolutely nowhere in Washington. Anyone care to lose some money?

Post 3

Monday, May 23, 2005 - 8:53am

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Robert, while you are probably correct in this particular instance, the phrase 'trial balloon' does come to mind.

Post 4

Monday, May 23, 2005 - 9:25am

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What about the Patriot Act? Nobody thought, this would ever become true, but it did. I think the proponents just need the right situation and a sound justification and they can get this bill true.

But right now, I grant that this will not be the case. You are right Robert.

Post 5

Monday, May 23, 2005 - 4:40pm

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I think the German government was far "better" in reviving the StaSi. For example, they passed a "Law to ensure the tax payer's honesty" which permits the government to take a look at the people's bank accounts whenever they want. And this is only one example. The coalition government which consists of Socialist Party (SPD) and the Greens (Bundnis90/Die Grunen) are really "good" in erasing civil rights.

But fortunately, this may have an end very soon, because the Socialists lost a very important state election on sunday. Because of that the Christian Democrats (CDU), together with the Free Democrats (FDP) now have a two thirds majority in the Bundesrat (which in some respects equals the American Senate) and can block every law passed by the Bundestag (which equals the House of Representatives) which is dominated by the Socialists and the Greens. So, Mr. Schroeder now is not able to act anymore. What a pity. On Sunday evening he announced that he wanted new elections to take place as soon as possible, i.e. in autumn this year, one year ahead of schedule. He still has to solve some constitutional problems but I think he'll manage to do so. And then, if we are lucky, Germany'll have a new government - probably a coalition of Christian Democrats and Free Democrats - by the end of the year.

And then we'll see if they are better in upholding individual rights.

Post 6

Monday, May 23, 2005 - 9:41pm

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Sascha,

In the US, bank privacy was terminated under FDR and never revived. The Feds have permanent, total access to all bank accounts and all commercial transactions - they even get microfilms of all checks processed through every bank. There used to be an exception for bookstores - the Feds would only be told how much you paid - but under the "Patriot Act" they also get the book titles.

Robert,

I'm not betting, but only because I very much hope that you are right. But I am also very afraid that you may turn out to have been wrong. In this case, the "lone idiot who entered this bill into the congressional hopper" is Rep. Sensenbrenner, Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary. Every bill that Rep. Sensenbrenner sponsored in the current session, including the "Real ID Act," has passed the House.