Bill Maher... Says America Is Becoming A Police State

[Tx4obama]

VIDEO here: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-tears-into-unprofessional-cops-in-boston-manhunt-says-america-is-becoming-a-police-state/

Bill Maher Tears Into ‘Unprofessional’ Cops In Boston Manhunt, Says America Is Becoming A Police State

... voiced some concerns tonight over the manhunt for the Boston bombing suspects last week and how much police presence there was in Boston and Watertown. Maher showed pictures of state and federal forces in Massachusetts, and cited them as evidence that America is becoming a police state, a point which got him some pushback from his panelists.
-snip-

[BethanyQuartz]

1. I don't think the situation in Boston is a good example of police state

They actually did a pretty good job given the situation, at least as far as what has been reported.

I'm far more worried about surveillance that is privatized. Examples are Fusion Centers and contracting out for trojans to companies in Europe.

On Fusion Centers:

http://www.examiner.com/article/fusion-centers-conduct-domestic-spying

These FC's have access to 240 state, regional, and federal agencies and their databases, including agricultural and parks agencies. FC's also monitor surveillance systems, intersections, thoroughfares, and parking lots across America. In Chicago, hi-tech infrared surveillance cameras, that store video feeds for more than a dozen years, are set up every mile along the Windy City's freeway system. One FC can access hundreds of private security cameras in railroad yards, trucking sites, sports arenas, office buildings, shopping malls, large retail stores, and warehouses.


On security companies spyware such as Finspy:

"The report also noted that one of six U.S. spy servers is registered to Verizon Wireless."

Source:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/03/13/finspy_from_gamma_group_detected_around_the_world_says_citizen_lab_report.html

Who are these people? Who is in charge of oversight? If they have collected information on a citizen, how can that citizen find out since FOIA laws might not apply?

[bowens43]

3. "good job given the situation"

seriously? thousands of cops with military weapons and vehicles, shutting down an entire city and going door to pushing their way into every house and building without a warrant?

I am amazed that so many see nothing wrong with this. Get used to it a whole lot more is on the way

[rightsideout]

2. Or a shoot-first-ask-questions-later State

[votesparks]

4. America has been a police state for as long as I remember

We are the current reigning champions of incarceration in case anyone needs evidence. World record holders even.