A Tomgram:

August 21, 2011
Tomgram: Karen J. Greenberg, Taking the Justice Out of the Justice System

Can you even remember the world before 9/11?  You know, the one where you weren’t stripped in the airport or body-wanded at the ballpark?  It’s as much a lost world as anything Conan Doyle ever imagined.  And it seems there’s no turning back.  An administration voted into office by a populace tired of George W. Bush-ism has, remarkably enough, added on to Bush’s wars, redoubled his “secret” drone campaigns, further expanded the special operations forces that have grown into a secret military inside the military, upped the level of secrecy that envelops the National Security Complex (whose further expansion it also has overseen), renewed the Patriot Act, supported further surveillance of Americans, dumped yet more money into the Pentagon, and in sum seems intent on recreating Bushism without Bush.

Now, barely noticed, basic American institutions are starting to wobble under the strain of our post-9/11 world.  With the Supreme Court ensuring that corporations would be prime actors in electoral campaigns and the coming of billion-dollar elections, national politics has become a bread-and-circuses media affair that could at best be considered a “semi-democracy.” Similarly -- as Karen J. Greenberg, TomDispatch regular and author of The Least Worst Place: Guantanamo’s First One Hundred Days, tells us -- the courts, already under increasing financial pressure and suffering layoffs and slowdowns, have been losing the confidence of Washington.

Osama bin Laden must be spinning with pleasure in his watery grave. Tom

Comments

[Antonio Andolini]

So, how's that hopey changey thing going? Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...
As for the courts, New Hampshire's system has been hurting for some time, culminating in the reorganization / consolidation last month.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/261099/states-courts-shrink-still-facing-shortfall?CSAuthResp=1313971719%3A30qoc8j3m3c5bpf2l7m23t7t14%3ACSUserId|CSGroupId%3Aapproved%3A3AC3411C095762814A81A0B41E7E3B01&CSUserId=94&CSGroupId=1

[warren,]

I Must have Hit the Nail on the Head Last Week, Rocky is off in Teenage Wasteland with His Berserkley Buddy Englehardt...
Rather than defending His Indefensible Comments on Berlin's Leadership. It's a given that these folks will change the Subject or Broaden the Topics when they are shown to be wrong.
Remember what I said about Liberals gravitating to the "Soft Sciences" where "Facts" can be a matter of Opinion -like Economics? Gee whiz! Don't They just love Fuzzy Thinking.

[Tim]

Government Cannot Protect Us From Violence

by Ron Paul

Recent incidents of violence in Norway and London have made us understandably uncomfortable here at home, as many fear that a worsening economy will lead to violence and unrest in American cities. This is why Congress must view the economy as its first priority and a matter of national security. Unless and until we get our fiscal house in order to foster economic growth, civil society will continue to deteriorate.

The fundamental lesson every American should learn from these incidents is that government cannot protect us. No matter how many laws we pass, no matter how many police or federal agents we put on the streets, a determined individual or group can still cause great harm. But Norway and England have strict gun control laws, and London in particular has security cameras monitoring nearly all public areas. But laws and spy cameras are useless in the face of lawless mobs or sick mass killers.

Only private individuals on the scene could have prevented or lessened these tragedies. We should remember that theft, arson and property damage were not the only criminal acts in London. Innocent bystanders were assaulted and killed as well. In those instances, deadly force used in self-defense would have been fully justified.

Perhaps the only good that could come from these terrible events is a reinforced understanding that we as individuals are responsible for our safety and the safety of our families. This means frankly that we must own and wisely use firearms to deter or prevent criminal assaults on our homes and persons. It is absurd to think police or government agents can protect 310 million Americans around the clock.

Thanks to our media and many government officials, however, Americans have have become conditioned to view the state as our protector and the solution to every problem. Whenever something terrible happens, especially when it becomes a prominent news story, people reflexively demand that government “do something.” This impulse almost always leads to bad laws, more debt and a loss of liberty. It is completely at odds with the best American traditions of self-reliance and individual responsibility.

Do we really want to live in a world of police checkpoints, surveillance cameras and metal detectors? Do we want to imprison every disturbed or alienated individual who fantasizes about violence? Do we really believe government can provide total security? Or can we accept that liberty is more important than the illusion of state-provided security?

Freedom is not defined by safety; freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference – unless they use force or fraud against others. Government cannot create a world without risk, nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place. Only a totalitarian society would even claim absolute safety as a worthy ideal, because it would require total state control over its citizens’ lives. Liberty has meaning only if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and a false government security blanket beckons.

http://www.ronpaul.com/

[Wing Nut]

I don't think I can vote for Ron Paul because I'm concerned that he cannot defeat BHO in the general election but some of the things he says are right on the mark. Amen for people like him in Washington. I wish there were more like him to help straighten things out in this country. Thanks for the great post Tim.

Take care,
WN.

[Rocky]

....adding my 2 cents. I like Ron Paul and I like what he has to say, but then I like Ralf Nader too. Two things concern me about him and it's not about defeating Obama. I believe he's a bit naive in his thinking and I don't think enough people believe his ideas can be implemented without some major re-thinking of our value system. Things like waging wars is center in our culture, be it on drugs or in Iraq. Second, the republican party doesn't want him either, they don't think they can own him and that's not acceptable to Corporate America.

[toonist]

"I don't think I can vote for Ron Paul because I'm concerned that he cannot defeat BHO...." and that's why Obama gonna win again!

[Rocky]

We've had worse than Obama, look who came before him!

[warren,]

That does not even stand up to any Reason or Logic. Bush II was no winner, but He was no America Hater. You have been Silent on the Judical Stike Down of Obama Care Rocky...

[warren,]

http://reason.com/blog/2011/08/12/appeals-court-strikes-down-oba

[toonist]

What's the matter with you Rocky? Obama hates the American way! Don't you know that?

[warren,]

C'mon toonist! Rocky Hates the American Way as Well! Don't YOU Know that by now? He would like nothing better than a Chavez Style USA.

[warren,]

Ron Paul won the Young Republican Staw Poll in New Hampshire and narrowly came in second to Bachman in Iowa, for what these polls are worth. Attendence to this Event was good I hear. But I'm suspecting the GOP will nominate another Loser like McCain next time around. Mitt in 2012! -yawn.

http://www.ronpaul.com/2011-08-17/ron-paul-opens-new-hampshire-campaign-office/

[toonist]

Jon Huntsman starting to look real good!

[warren,]

This Guy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Huntsman,_Jr.

Why toonist?

[toonist]

Because he's not pandering to the fringe!

[Antonio Andolini]

Really, Rocky. Washington is losing confidence in the courts??? I get Professor Greenberg needs another plug for her books. I get that many of the left are losing hope in President Obama's change. It's always interesting when those of the left who are so frightened by the Tea Party, carry on about the dark conspiracy, that hijacked that movement by funding campaigns, without mentioning who funds Democratic candidates.
Remember the War on Poverty (lost); a big expansion of government power over our lives and livelihoods. The War on Drugs (lost); a big expansion of government power in which we lost important civil rights. The War on Terror (too soon to say lost or won?); a frightening expansion of government power and loss of our civil rights. At least in the first two instances of war(s) on America's problems, they were waged in the legislature and courts. It was right there in our faces, although most didn't pay much attention. Too much of the War on Terror is being waged on our lives, livelihoods and liberties in secret.

[Antonio Andolini]

Go ahead, Maxine, make my day!
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7377705n
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/maxine-waters-to-tea-party-go-to-hell/2011/08/22/gIQAjgEeWJ_story.html

[Antonio Andolini]

Preview of President Obama's new big jobs plan: Qadafi - new jobs czar! You got to admit the dude has some cool shades!

[warren,]

-just another Mormon like Mitt, toonist. This one with zero Name recognition. What is it with Mormons and Big Govt. sponsored Health Care?.....Oh Yeah! Multiple Spouses and B-I-G Families!!!! To Win an Election, a Candidate has to energize Their "Base", if that is pandering to the fringe...Look how Qbama won and McCain Lost. Qbama is fast losing His Lunatic "fringe" as Antonio points out. 2012 is the GOP's to Lose. They can easily win with the Right Candidate. The only question is will they Nominate One. The Original Manchurian Candidate with Frank Sinatra & Ann Landers is an AWESOME Movie! I own it and recomend it to watch! Still kinda relevant as of 2008...Hanoi Hilton, Col. David Hackworth Report - no longer extant...Hmmm.

[toonist]

Yeah maybe you're right. Back to Ron Paul.

[Antonio Andolini]

Last I checked we are in August of 2011. The Presidential election is in November of 2012, right? But, then too, remember that President Obama said the "fall" of Qadafi was "days, if not weeks away." That was 156 days ago. So, yes Mr. President it's time to get on that campaign (Canadian-made) bus. The President has many months to keep on driving into the ditch. By the fall of 2012, all the liberals licking their chops at this early mish-mash of Republican candidates, won't be able to ignore that the 44th POTUS was a failure.
I'm a lot more interested in the upcoming election in Berlin. All seats at the table (Mayor and Council)are open, except Councilor Rozek. (That's eight of nine "for those of you in Rio Linda.") Hopefully, those elected will be able to fulfill their terms and we get back on track to where only four councilors and the mayor change every two years. Laidlaw, as most will continue to call it (despite Cate Street's efforts to call it anything else), will no longer be an issue. It will be under construction or dead. So, what will be the hot-button issue? Here's hoping we can continue the improvements to our community and get to focus on the future of Berlin.

[warren,]

Mayor Grenier to Win. No Contest. Berlin Station will never be Dead unless Demolished as WN has noted. In which case the Brownfield Site will sit vacant for at least a Generation to come. The National Economy will ensure this. The Pig will only be in Hibernation. You can not Keep a Classic Vehicle ( or an Industrial Opportunity ) Parked and hidden from notice for long. As I have discovered recently. Some Entrepeneur will WANT it sooner or later. One thing is for cert., Ticky Tacky Tourism...In THIS Economy is a Laughable Idea. Come to Berlin! See the East Side! Stay at the Motel.....mnff.

[Rocky]

......"what will be the hot-button issue?" Do you think that not having a strategy for establishing a new economic base will be on anybody's mind? ...I thought it was interesting that last week Sen. Gallus was proud to show his fellow Senators the Jericho State Park. Too bad he couldn't show a City/State effort that encouraged spin-off businesses that capture and maximize outdoor recreation dollars. I was at the T&C this weekend and the ATV crowd was spending lots of $$ there. Congratulations Gorham/Shelburne businesses. Sorry I forgot, we don't want "that kind" of jobs/money in Berlin.

[Antonio Andolini]

Ah yes, those "pesky" tourists:
NH Business Resource Center Partners with Celebrate NH Tour
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
Vacationers are good news for New Hampshire’s economic development, says Michael Bergeron, Business Development Manager at the NH Division of Economic Development.
“Many family-owned companies from other states move to New Hampshire because the owners (who are usually second or third generation owners) have experienced the quality of life while vacationing here. That’s why it makes such good sense for us to partner with 107.7 WTPL/The Pulse and Jack Heath on the Cold Springs RV Celebrate New Hampshire Tour. We’ll be able to reach visitors to northern New Hampshire and let them know that – if you love visiting here, you’ll love doing business here.”
From August 8th to 12th, Heath is touring northern New Hampshire in the Cold Springs RV, stopping at five of the state’s most population attractions for a live broadcast that will be heard on WTPL each day from 3pm to 6pm. The attractions are Franconia Notch State Park/The Flume (Monday), Lancaster Fairgrounds/NH Dairy Cattle Association State Show (Tuesday), Conway Scenic Railroad (Wednesday), Settlers’ Green Outlet Village (Thursday) and Clark’s Trading Post (Friday).

“New Hampshire tourism is an asset to the state’s economic development. Not only does tourism create jobs, it introduces the state to businesspeople from out of state,” concludes Bergeron. “Hearing the success stories of businesses in our North Country could inspire a visiting business owner to consider a move here.”

[warren,]

Tourism Creates Dead End Minimum Wage Jobs, best suited for Students like Rocky's Nephew who is doing something else now.
These are "Suck Jobs"...No Benefits, No Future. Eh toonist?

"In all these years at Byte & Chew, with Rocky's constant Whining about Opportunities and New Strategies and Game Plans for Berlin. He has never Proposed One Concrete Idea, just the Same Old Nebulous Waffle about Tourism. Which is Great for a Small Business on Main St. that sells Tacky Gifts and Souveniers, but Definately Sucks for the other 99% of Berlinite's.
I guess all those "washed up 50 something French People" who are so Scorned over on Coos Conversations Blog can Take a Hike to environs South to make way for a Future Artiste's Community and a Wave of Neuveau Riche. Talk about "Pie in the Sky", If He had His way, We'd all be in $8/hr. Service Industry Jobs for Life."

Gonna Post a New "Tomgram" tomorrow Rocky? of just go with National Politic's?