Defund Homeland Security: Creating a massive federal police apparatus was always a mistake

[marmar]

Defund Homeland Security: Creating a massive federal police apparatus was always a mistake
We built and funded a federal secret-police agency, and now it's being used against us. Why are we surprised?

HEATHER DIGBY PARTON
JULY 22, 2020 12:58PM (UTC)


(Salon) It seems like only yesterday that Republicans were wringing their hands and rending their garments over federal officers attempting to arrest a large group of armed militia members who had taken over a federal building in Oregon and were refusing to leave. (The 2016 "Oregon standoff" is the subject of Anthony McCann's fascinating book "Shadowlands." ) They were led by Ammon Bundy, son of Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who triggered an earlier standoff with government forces in 2014, and they said they were planning to occupy the building at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge "for years" as a protest against the conviction of two local ranchers who had been found guilty of arson for setting fire to government land. After six weeks of negotiating with federal authorities, the protesters were finally dispersed. Some did time but Ammon Bundy and a dozen others were tried and acquitted.

From 2014 to 2016, the right wing had been up in arms about the federal jack-booted thugs who were allegedly interfering in the protests by the God-fearing, freedom-loving Bundys and their armed allies who were just standing up for their rights. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., met personally with Cliven Bundy during the earlier standoff and said the group had legitimate constitutional questions. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was all-in, calling that protest "the unfortunate and tragic culmination of the path that President Obama has set the federal government on."

Donald Trump also expressed support for Cliven Bundy, saying, "I like him, I like his spirit, his spunk and the people that are so loyal … I respect him." (Bundy supported him right back.) In fact, Trump respected the Bundy movement so much he later pardoned Dwight and Stephen Hammond, the two ranchers who had been convicted of arson. They just burned federal land and their supporters only desecrated Native American artifacts on a federal wildlife refuge. It's not like they tore down a statue or anything important.

I bring that story up now only because as we have watched the events unfold in Portland, Oregon, over the past few days — a few hours west of the Malheur refuge — with federal police in full military regalia attacking and kidnapping protesters, I'm struck by the deafening silence from all those erstwhile defenders of free speech and the right to protest. I guess in order for them to speak out, the protesters have to be carrying AR-15s. ..........(more)

https://www.salon.com/2020/07/22/defund-homeland-security-creating-a-massive-federal-police-apparatus-was-always-a-mistake/

[Frustratedlady]

1. Payback's a bitch.

[malaise]

2. Thank Bush and Cheney n/t

[Ferrets are Cool]

3. I have HATED the phrase Homeland Security since day one...

it makes me want to every time I hear or read it.

[Newest Reality]

4. Me too!

I have noticed little or no emphasis on the overseas "terrorist threat" for a while now.

Empires tend to turn their exploitation and control mechanisms inward when the foreign playground runs dry or is less viable.

It seems clear that the "Homeland/Fatherland" is now turned in on us and we are the "terrorists". Protests are patriotic and supported by the Constitution, until Fascist like Trump turn things upside down and utilize toxic rhetoric to frame the activity as anarchistic, (does he even know what anarchy is?) etc.

I am not surprised though. However, this is very, very ominous. My hopes are that the more the jackboot Trumptroopers roll out, the more the people will amass and increase the protests. I don't see any other way for the time being and it is a viable way to resist the regime now.

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. Bingo

[uponit7771]

6. +1,

[Grasswire2]

5. its appropriations are up in this House session

Break it up. Return the functions to other agencies/departments where they were.

Contact your congress person today!

[pecosbob]

8. Repeal the Patriot Act as well.