Our freedoms are fading VERY fast!

[halfprep455]

Reporters without boarders has placed the United States 53rd in regards to freedom of press. We are now behind Canada, UK, South Korea, Japan, Gernamy, and most other western nations! The state of Alabama is trying to ban all pro-gay literature from its state. We are touturing "suspected" terrorists and not giving them a trial. The ultra right is trying to pass more laws to regulate what they deem "obscene". Anyone who speaks out againt the government is "helping the terrorists"! Where did our freedoms go? We have pissed on our constitution.

[zimv20]

Reporters without boarders

remind me: is this the group staunchly defending the 3rd amendment?

[elfin buddy]

I'd like to read more about the Reporters Without Borders ranking system...got a link?

[SMM]

Yes, all of what you wrote is true. The enlightened know this. Those who do not care, still do not care. Look at the threads in this group (for lack of a better word). Loss of liberty is one of the many critical issues in jeopardy from too many years of conservative attack. It is frightening. We are in dire need of a youth-led renaissance. I have become convinced that youth must take the lead. I must also reluctantly admit, too many of my supportive friends are at an age where one cannot risk losing it all. It is the youth who ultimately bring about change. However, we older folk must be ready to bring our support when it happens.

[princealfie]

Ralph Nader did mention about the lack of democracy in today's nation. 100% agreed.

Sad state of affairs.

Back to your NSA-tapped TV show now...

[miloblithe]

Here's a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reporters_Without_Borders#Worldwide_press_freedom_index

Pretty big drop for the US since 2002.

[halfprep455]

http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=639

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reporters_Without_Borders

This sort of gives you details on how they rank countries.

[bartelby]

remind me: is this the group staunchly defending the 3rd amendment?

"No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."

Erm, can you explain what this has to do with the OP.

[pseudobrit]

"No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."

Erm, can you explain what this has to do with the OP.

Reporters without boarders would imply either this or that their ski trips are exclusively to mountains banning snowboards.

[zimv20]

Reporters without boarders would imply either this or that their ski trips are exclusively to mountains banning snowboards.

ooh, i hadn't considered the winter sports angle.

[solvs]

"No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."

Erm, can you explain what this has to do with the OP.

He spelled borders wrong. ;)

Don't worry, the backlash is coming, and already here actually. Look at the last election. That's what happens when you use things like fear to gain power. Eventually, people get sick of losing their rights just to be more afraid.

[Swarmlord]

I have no idea what this ranking means. There isn't a single thing that our press couldn't and probably already hasn't printed, true or not. Do you have to print whackier conpiracy theories that people actually buy hook, line and sinker to move up the list?

[skunk]

Is there a separate ranking for how supine a country's press is in the face of a war-mongering government?

[miloblithe]

I have no idea what this ranking means. There isn't a single thing that our press couldn't and probably already hasn't printed, true or not. Do you have to print whackier conpiracy theories that people actually buy hook, line and sinker to move up the list?

I think you should read a little more about how the list was generated. It's not as simple as what you can print. Also important are what happens to you if you do, and what obstacles are there to do so.

[Swarmlord]

Is there a separate ranking for how supine a country's press is in the face of a war-mongering government?

Yeah, ours has been so supportive of the whole effort! </sarcasm>

[halfprep455]

The US was ranked 53rd because f the Bush administrations policy of demanding that media sources reveal their sources for any story involving the government. We are also ranked 53rd b/c the US military is illegaly detaning journalists and reporters that they thought were "suspected terrorists". So much for freedom of press. I sure hope that a backlash comes against the Bush administration soon. We need to get our freeedoms back soon or else we may never have them again.

[skunk]

Yeah, ours has been so supportive of the whole effort! </sarcasm>No need for the sarcasm. Barely a voice was raised until well afterwards.

[leekohler]

Yeah, ours has been so supportive of the whole effort! </sarcasm>

Straight from the mouth of Rush Limbaugh. Wait- no "liberal media" comment yet? You're slipping! :rolleyes:

[Swarmlord]

The US was ranked 53rd because f the Bush administrations policy of demanding that media sources reveal their sources for any story involving the government. We are also ranked 53rd b/c the US military is illegaly detaning journalists and reporters that they thought were "suspected terrorists". So much for freedom of press. I sure hope that a backlash comes against the Bush administration soon. We need to get our freeedoms back soon or else we may never have them again.

Because Leaky Leahey and other members of Congress decided that leaking information meant to be kept in committee was ok as long as they called anonymously or had the press promise not to reveal their sources. The press is a willing accomplice to this when it serves their purposes.

Illegally detaining journalists my eye. Post of link where these innocent reporters were mistreated. Being "detained" until your story checks out is routine all over the Middle East. It's not "illegal".

[Swarmlord]

Straight from the mouth of Rush Limbaugh. Wait- no "liberal media" comment yet? You're slipping! :rolleyes:

It goes beyond liberal which is why I don't even use that term anymore. I prefer vapid myself just based on what the press even considers news much less how they report it.

[princealfie]

Because Leaky Leahey and other members of Congress decided that leaking information meant to be kept in committee was ok as long as they called anonymously or had the press promise not to reveal their sources. The press is a willing accomplice to this when it serves their purposes.

Illegally detaining journalists my eye. Post of link where these innocent reporters were mistreated. Being "detained" until your story checks out is routine all over the Middle East. It's not "illegal".

Yes, that's very illegal. People should never be detained whatsoever unless you are interested in importing Stalin soon.

[Swarmlord]

Yes, that's very illegal. People should never be detained whatsoever unless you are interested in importing Stalin soon.

Something tells me you don't have a future in the security or law enforcement industry any time soon. :rolleyes:

[leekohler]

Something tells me you don't have a future in the security or law enforcement industry any time soon. :rolleyes:

The more I hear you the less I believe you're a Libertarian. Is there a party for people who believe "as long as it doesn't affect me directly, I don't care" or "the ends justify the means"?

[Swarmlord]

The more I hear you the less I believe you're a Libertarian. Is there a party for people who believe "as long as it doesn't affect me directly, I don't care" or "the ends justify the means"?

No, I believe in enforcing laws or changing them, not making up rights and laws willy nilly as I feel apply. The other poster immediately applying the "illegal" label to whatever detaining went on didn't state what legal authority was applied or supposed to be applied when and where this happened. Without an applicable law something by definition can't be illegal.

I've been "detained" dozens of times as I traveled to and from the Middle East and I never thought it was "illegal" nor did I have any problem with it once things were worked out. So, I have been affected directly by this, but it is the job of the military and the government to provide security and that requires procedures that may include detaining someone. I don't see how this violates my libertarian beliefs.

[princealfie]

No, I believe in enforcing laws or changing them, not making up rights and laws willy nilly as I feel apply. The other poster immediately applying the "illegal" label to whatever detaining went on didn't state what legal authority was applied or supposed to be applied when and where this happened. Without an applicable law something by definition can't be illegal.

I've been "detained" dozens of times as I traveled to and from the Middle East and I never thought it was "illegal" nor did I have any problem with it once things were worked out. So, I have been affected directly by this, but it is the job of the military and the government to provide security and that requires procedures that may include detaining someone. I don't see how this violates my libertarian beliefs.

Yeah, of course, it's not fun being detained, whipped, then returned back in a body bag :eek:

Honestly, if I were libertarian I would value my privacy. I kinda think that detention is going against that.

Unless it's like the last sentence of Orwell's 1984.

[Swarmlord]

Yeah, of course, it's not fun being detained, whipped, then returned back in a body bag :eek:

Honestly, if I were libertarian I would value my privacy. I kinda think that detention is going against that.

Unless it's like the last sentence of Orwell's 1984.

What journalists did we detain, whip and then ship back in a body bag?

I do value my privacy. Since when is performing a very public job in a public place private?

[TheDance511]

Reporters without boarders has placed the United States 53rd in regards to freedom of press. We are now behind Canada, UK, South Korea, Japan, Gernamy, and most other western nations! The state of Alabama is trying to ban all pro-gay literature from its state. We are touturing "suspected" terrorists and not giving them a trial. The ultra right is trying to pass more laws to regulate what they deem "obscene". Anyone who speaks out againt the government is "helping the terrorists"! Where did our freedoms go? We have pissed on our constitution.

yeah...OBAMA 2008!!! **** bush and the republicans.....they always screw things up....and always have some war.... i hate it... i jsut want to live in peace and eat my food and just be left alone....anyway....terrorists...what a lie...just dont get me started

[leekohler]

No, I believe in enforcing laws or changing them, not making up rights and laws willy nilly as I feel apply. The other poster immediately applying the "illegal" label to whatever detaining went on didn't state what legal authority was applied or supposed to be applied when and where this happened. Without an applicable law something by definition can't be illegal.

For now- I'll let you off the hook. :)

I've been "detained" dozens of times as I traveled to and from the Middle East and I never thought it was "illegal" nor did I have any problem with it once things were worked out. So, I have been affected directly by this, but it is the job of the military and the government to provide security and that requires procedures that may include detaining someone. I don't see how this violates my libertarian beliefs.

Umm- how do customs procedures have anything to do with freedom of the press?

[princealfie]

What journalists did we detain, whip and then ship back in a body bag?

I do value my privacy. Since when is performing a very public job in a public place private?

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Jan06/Rajiva24.htm

Quite a few eh buddy? :rolleyes:

[halfprep455]

I have fairly wierd political beliefs. I am very libertarian when it comes to social issues. For example, I think that the obsenity laws need to be rethought as thay are curently unconstitutional. I think taht the FCC should regulate broadcast TV much less then they do now and they need to stop regulating cable and Satellite TV all together. I think what two adults do in their bedroom is strictly their business and not the governments or anyone else's. Gun Control laws should be repealed and citizens should have the right to bear arms. Gun Control does NOT stop crime at all. The drinking age needs to be lowered to 18 and drugs need to be de-criminalized.(I have never once in my life done any drug.) Our prisons our full of people convicted for victimless crimes. Prisons need to be used for real criminals. It is not the governments right to decide what adults put into their body. Prostitution should be legalized and turned into a profitabal, legal and safe industry much like it is in the Netherlands. Our schools nationwide need to teach a comprehensive sex education program which includes education on how to properly use contreseptives. However, abstenince should be taught as the only 100% way to avoid STD's and pregnancy. Abortion is none of the governments business and should be left up to a woman, her doctor and her beliefs. Businesses should be regulated much less then they are now. Strictly Regulating companies does not protect consumers or workers. It raises prices, hurts companies, and eliminates jobs. The free market should be left on its own with some government regulation to prevent monopolies or worker exploitation. The welfare state needs to end. Welfare hurts poor people more then it helps them. People should be given job training and jobs; not government handouts. People who deserive welfare are people who are disabled, the elderly, and people who are completly incabable of working. There needs to be a flat tax and tax exemptions for the rich need to disappear. This country needs a strong national defence and should continue to keep its forces deployed around the world to defend us beyond our boarders. We need to let businesses spread overseas to open more economic relations and cooperation with other nations. We should use diplomacy before we declare war on a nation. We need to get out of Iraq very soon. The war has cost this nation billions of dollors and has accomplished absolutly nothing but thousands of deaths. Immagrints should be allowed in this country to work and better their lives for themself and their families. However, we should keep track of wh enters our country to prevent people with a criminal backround or terrorists from entering the US. These our my political beliefs and I think all of the issues above our issues that involve our freedom and are constantly being attacked by the far right and the far left.

[Swarmlord]

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Jan06/Rajiva24.htm

Quite a few eh buddy? :rolleyes:

I read that several died, not that they were executed by Americans. I love their confirmed sources they didn't identify also.

[leekohler]

The shroud of the Darkside is upon us, but the gay community needs to shut the **** up. Keep it in the bedroom and out me and my childrens face. :)

You'd better be joking. Do you think you're kids are gonna catch something?

I was kid too once. It would have been nice to know that there were other people like me in the world. Instead I felt like a was the only one.

[pseudobrit]

You'd better be joking.

At first I gave him the benefit of the doubt because it seemed so hilariously over the top. But now I know better.

[leekohler]

At first I gave him the benefit of the doubt because it seemed so hilariously over the top. But now I know better.

Yeah, I left him a few words in another thread. I know I'm too much a hothead sometimes, but I can't help it. ;)

[solvs]

Yeah, ours has been so supportive of the whole effort! </sarcasm>
Were you not around in 2003?

I sure hope that a backlash comes against the Bush administration soon.
Were you not around in 2006?

I prefer vapid myself just based on what the press even considers news much less how they report it.
I like how Fox News and CNN kept talking about the Anna Nicole story. :rolleyes: I hope you aren't trying to say only liberals are vapid. I'm pretty sure that crosses party lines. ;) Not that CNN is as liberal as they're made to seem, though I don't really watch them much except when someone posts some inane thing someone said on a CNN show, and a majority of the time, it seems to be full of conservatives.

I was going to quote the anti-gay comment, because it was so ridiculous I didn't know where to start, but it disappeared, so whatever.