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Five Reasons Why Liberals May Dislike the Betancourt Rescue

July 10, 2008

Exclusive: Five Reasons Why Liberals May Dislike the Betancourt Rescue
Gabriel Garnica, Esq.

As a proud native of Colombia, I am aware of both that nation's inherent beauty and its tough times over the past 50 years. Although I am an American citizen now, I still smile whenever I hear any good news from the land of my birth, and the recent Betancourt rescue was no exception. Unfortunately, I must temper my pride with cynicism when I consider the five reasons why liberals were likely not leaping for joy when they heard news of the rescue.

1. The rescue mission made Marxist rebels and America-hating terrorists look foolish, and whenever such people look foolish, it hits home for liberals.

Given the fact that Al Gore seemed so willing to embrace such luminaries of freedom and human rights like Kim Jong II and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Nancy Pelosi seemed more like a contestant on The Bachelor when meeting Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, I will assume that liberals regularly have crushes on twisted despots and tyrants.

We all recall how weepy Katie Couric became when describing the hunt for Saddam Hussein, practically looking like she was a cheerleader for Hussein's escape. No doubt about it; make purveyors of cruelty who hate America the clowns and you have ruined the day for the law firm of Gore, Pelosi and friends.

2. The rescue mission made Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Bush's support of that fine leader look good.

Gore and Pelosi have both treated Colombian President Uribe like he was a combination of Hitler and Stalin despite the fact that he may well be this country's most loyal and popular ally, carrying an approval rating over well over 80% after nearly six years in power. Despite the absurd claims of liberals and Human Rights Watch that Uribe oversees great corruption and human rights violations, the facts show quite the opposite.

Over his tenure, violence and corruption in Colombia has shown a steady decline, and to point fingers at Uribe for human rights violations while ignoring what is going on in Venezuela, Cuba and Haiti is prima facie evidence of stupidity, blind bias or, most likely, rampant hypocrisy.

There is no doubt that Uribe came out of this rescue smelling like roses, and he acknowledges Bush as a great partner in his success, so none of this can please those whose pastime is bashing Bush and any friend of Bush.

3. American Citizens were rescued without a single shot fired.

If making Uribe and thus Bush look good were not enough torture for liberals, the rescue mission was one of the most daring and successful operations by any nation in years. It succeeded in rescuing the most important bargaining chips of ghouls without one shot being fired, and it demonstrated that good military intelligence combined with daring, courage and an assertive attitude can accomplish wonderful things.

Above all, from an American perspective, the mission rescued three U.S. military contractors without a scratch on any of them or one single shot being fired, robbing liberals of any chance to wail about the loss of American lives at the expense of Wild West tactics.

4. The Rescue was good news.

For the liberals, bad news is usually good news. It feeds their sense of "I told you so" which works because they paint every effort of peace-loving, brave and confident forces of freedom as ill-conceived, ill-timed and doomed to fail. Liberals thrive in chaos, destruction and failure.

They are the vultures who wait for disaster and then swoop in for the political kill.

The Betancourt rescue was no such disaster, no such failure, no such bad news for Uribe, for Bush or for any rational person. Rather, it was, as today's teens love to say, "all good", except for those whose bread and butter are America's downfall. This time, the vultures were left with their mouths open, waiting for the political fallout that never came.

5. The Rescue Mission Reminds One of Operation Entebbe

On July 4, 1976, nearly 32 years to the day of the July 2, 2008 Betancourt rescue, a similarly daring counter-terrorism hostage rescue mission occurred in which members of the Israel Defense Force (IDF) rescued all but four hostages out of 105 hostages remaining from the hijack of an Air France jet which had left Israel and was bound for Paris. The two Palestinian and two German hijackers were later joined by three additional terrorists at Entebbe Airport in Uganda, supported by the pro-Palestinian forces of Uganda's notorious tyrant, Idi Amin. The hijackers threatened to kill the hostages if numerous detainees held in Israel and other countries were not released.

While there are some distinctions between these two outstanding examples of successful tactical military operation, there are notable similarities. Both missions involved excellent military intelligence, shrewd and creative planning and execution of daring plans and the outmaneuvering of terrorist forces by forces of freedom. Considering the large number of Entebbe hostages, the minimal loss of life was remarkable.

Another interesting comparison between the two missions is that, in both cases, there was an arrogant, cruel and delusional despot in the background whose interests and agenda were tainted by the raids. Entebbe had its Idi Amin and the Betancourt mission had Hugo Chávez, every bit as much a tyrant and enemy of freedom as Amin was. Chávez has assisted FARC, the thorn in Colombia's side, for many years because he would love nothing more than to destroy Colombia's democracy. He hates Uribe and detests Bush, and even tried to be the catalyst for the release of these and other hostages, probably more as yet another pathetic ploy to appear important than out of any noble intent.

Both the legendary Entebbe mission and this similarly historic Betancourt rescue stand as testaments to what forces of freedom, aided by excellent planning and execution and inspired by a determination to crush forces of cruelty, can accomplish.

The reader may ask why liberals would dislike these two missions. Simply put, they represent everything the liberals are not. Both efforts were fueled by aggressive, proactive and precise military operation. They both remind us that the forces of evil are best answered with assertive action and not diluted appeasement drivel. They display the greatness of two nations unjustly hated by much of the world: the U.S. and Israel, which have both been the target of the liberals' unique brand of international diplomacy.

My personal favorite similarity is that both missions left egg in the face of despotic imbeciles who have covered their pompous ignorance with army uniforms and fancy titles while spitting at freedom, peace and the rule of law and pointing fingers at others for outrages they committed on a daily basis.

Conclusion

Every once in a while history shines a light on ignorance, misguided agendas and blatant unfairness. Every once in a while, history also shines a light on the good fruit springing from seeds planted in good soil. On rare occasions, one event manages to show us both.

The Betancourt rescue was just such an event. It highlighted just how foolish, misguided, biased and hypocritical liberal mistreatment of Alvaro Uribe's Colombian government has been. It also showed us that the support offered to Uribe and Colombia by President Bush has been seed planted on the good democratic soil of Colombia, and that seed is now bearing fruit.

Let the pompous tyrants pump their fists and spew their ignorant rants. Let the liberals continue to pretend that they have a clue about places like Colombia, leaders like Uribe or what it takes to bring America to greater heights. At the end of the day, tyrants and their enablers are all about rhetoric and efforts like the Betancourt rescue remind us that terrorism, treachery, cruelty and tyranny are best answered with action.

Let Gore, Pelosi and friends hug tyrants, smile with despots and offer friendship to dictators.

Let these people talk about Uribe's human rights violations while breaking bread with the worst violators of all. Let them criticize Bush's support of Uribe and refuse to help one of this country's greatest allies in Colombia by attacking free trade agreements.

Empty rhetoric, misguided policies and choosing the wrong sides; liberals have turned these things into a science. The Betancourt rescue is a reminder of precisely that, and that is why Gore, Pelosi and friends cannot be happy right now.

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.570/pub_detail.as...

By tasco66 on Jul 10, 2008, 07:05 in Politics & the war.

tasco66 says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:06:

Many Euro and Canadian lefties also did not like it

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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Monita Linda says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:09:

Good! I hate leftist-liberal crap that gets forced down your throat in west europe...

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billyb says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:10:

so i noticed, jeje.

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vladimiro says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:11:

Interesting that the hostages were in such good health. It almost seems like the FARC was feeding them up in preparation for their release :)

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Albatross says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:25:

Just another asshole who has absolutely no idea of what Liberal Ideology actually is.

For example, today Bush will sign the Wiretap Bill which will grant immunity to the Telecommunications industry for illegally eavesdropping on our phone calls. Any true Freedom-Loving American, Liberal or not, should have a real problem with our government acting like the KGB. But opposition the to the bill was twisted into the idea that "Liberals" want the terrorists to win... blah, blah, blah.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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McGringo says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:32:

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august says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:38:

Obviously this piece was meant to incite, but really there´s just holes all over the place in this simplistic tract. Being at work, I´ll take the time only to address point 1, regarding the supposed liberal embrace of world leaders with unimpressive human rights records. 5 Historical friends of US conservatives:

a) Saddam Hussein
b) Osama Bin Ladin and the Taliban
c) The Apartheid regime in South Africa
d) President Musharraf in Pakistan
e) Augusto Pinochet

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quantum says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:39:

While I agree with you in general I have to take issue with you on your liberal bashing. For one thing, American govt. support of Uribe may well be the only thing that this neo con administration has done right, for they surely have been a total disaster in every other way. Talk about tinpot despots. Look at Bush, Cheney, Ashcroft, Rumsfield. They put most of these ego maniacal deranged despots to shame. And as for Amadinejad, he may be one of the only world leaders speaking the truth when it comes to the current inflated artificial value of petroleum. While I am very happy about the rescue and even Uribes track record in Colombia, these things are not in any way vindication for the American regime. And although on the surface it all looks good, u dont really think that Bush&Cheney and Co. are doing theze things out of the goodness of their heart now do you??

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Albatross says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:41:

I gave up after the author brought up that sap Katie Couric like she's some sort of Liberal bellwether.

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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aztec says on Jul 10, 2008, 07:45:

Thanks tasco66 for the post.

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miamimike says on Jul 10, 2008, 08:03:

And again, lets not forget it was BILL CLINTON, A DEMOCRAT, who originally initiated Plan Colombia with its Billions in Assistance which enabled Uribe and Colombia's Military to develop this Rescue Mission,,,Credit to who it is due,,,It seems like some here persist in ignoring the history of the matter and only credit one side for postive current developements in Colombia. A cursory review of the Facts will show this simply is not true,,,Plan Colombia started way before Bush and the republicans ever came into power in 2000.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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romy says on Jul 10, 2008, 08:07:

it didn't take a genius to guess that this article would be completely flawed by omission and commission.

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august says on Jul 10, 2008, 08:16:

True enough, miamimike.

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aztec says on Jul 10, 2008, 08:29:

miamimike I am willing to concede Slick Willie initiated Plan Colombia but how about your admitting both houses were controlled by the Republicans. All funding bills must be started in the House.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 10, 2008, 08:56:

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august says on Jul 10, 2008, 09:22:

Tinto, also good points. However, I don´t think the magnitude of US funding, and thus control over structure and priorities, of the Colombian military prior to the initiation of Plan Colombian can really be compared to that which ensued afterwards.

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miamimike says on Jul 10, 2008, 10:28:

MiamiMike, Go back far enough and you'll see military aid and training throughout the 1980s and it really stepped up in the early 1990s. I don't know why some see this as a Republican or Democrat thing or that the genesis of all good or bad in the Colombian military is Plan Colombia
==================================================================

Tinto, You are preaching to the Choir! LOL I don't need to go back and look as I already am aware of that fact, as well as a few other salient points concerning Colombia's History. I'm NOT the person who only credits one side as a Repub/Dem issue. Please show me a past post where I said that here on PBH. For that clarification, you need to point your questions at others. Since a few brought up the issue and presented it as a One side only issue, I made the comparison. Its called telling the story in its Entirity !

Aztec, you may want to go back and reread the Congressional Record on who in Congress signed onto the the Plan Colombia Initiative. You will clearly see it passed with equal Bi-Partisan support from from Both Houses. You yourself Aztec have a Bad habit of always presenting a one sided arguement and on this one(as well as other political issues), I see, in your prior posts, you made no mention of this fact---that Clinton signed the Plan Colombia Bill and it pretty much passed with Bi-Partisan support. Republican House members back then were NOT the only supporters of Plan Colombia by a Long Shot! You may not like that, both sides receieving equal credit, but the facts in the Congressional Record support it.

On the Andean Trade Preference act which was signed(1991) into Law by then Prez Bush One, that Bill contained the langauge that allowed for one sided unfair trade between Colombia and the USA. The same one that Republicans are complaining about now! That is, our US Industries were&are slapped with High Tariffs anytime they export their products to Colombia while Products heading from Col into the USA pass tax free. If it was so unfair at the time in 1991, why didn't Bush One refuse to sign the Bill until these unfair trade provisions were stripped out that put our US Industries at a distinct disadvantage????? This unfairness has been going on for 17 years why NO COMPLAINTS back in 1991? WHy wait 17 years and now attempt to pass a FTA in record time? What's the hurry? Where was the Outrage then in 1991?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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dwmte7 says on Jul 10, 2008, 11:00:

nice post mike..........

dwmte

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Zach says on Jul 10, 2008, 11:04:

Good post, OP.

Nothing sadder to a liberal than communist jackholes being crushed somewhere in the world.

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aztec says on Jul 10, 2008, 11:32:

An Ally Betrayed

July 10, 2008

"Last week’s daring rescue of 15 Colombian hostages held by the Marxist FARC has been universally hailed as a triumph of military strategy. But at least one group besides the gulled guerrilla jailers looks diminished in its aftermath: Congressional Democrats."

http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=C4F88BB6-FA32-4172-A27...

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sloopskipper says on Jul 10, 2008, 12:42:

Are the Democrats
SLEEPING in congress?

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august says on Jul 10, 2008, 12:51:

Oh god, enough with the party flag waiving. Party politics just isn't sufficient to explain policy realities.

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august says on Jul 10, 2008, 13:32:

No man, split party White House-Congress politics is all about back scratching. Continuing this talk of the wiretapping bill, in the NY Times they were saying that Dems passed it because they felt they had inserted enough safeguarding language into the bill (eg. no more secret courts) so that the Exec. branch would be sufficiently limited in its surveillance ability. You know, so both sides get something out of the bill in the end. I'm still not totally comfortable with the wiretapping concept myself, but I do think we should refrain from cartoonish simplifications of politicians if we really want to understand the situation.

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august says on Jul 10, 2008, 13:52:

Bah, cynicism as productive...hmmm

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sloopskipper says on Jul 10, 2008, 13:53:

Bush is STILL getting everything he wants, DAMNNNN! The country mights as well have stayed with a Republican congress.

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quantum says on Jul 10, 2008, 15:24:

Exactly the point slooper. Whats the difference anymore anyway??George Wallace even, said years ago that there is not a dimes worth of difference between the two parties. If you really want to effect change, you have to look for another party. Tired of the theatre of two party system. The leading lights of both are in the same pockets........

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august says on Jul 10, 2008, 15:41:

Right, but how are you going to introduce that third party? Instant run off voting? OK, well who has to vote to introduce that system? The two parties. So then, you have to work with the two parties if you want change without armed rebellion. No more cynicism. More realism. More change.

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aztec says on Jul 10, 2008, 15:54:

You can always vote for Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 10, 2008, 16:42:

You mean "B1 Bob Bar", or "Bible Bob"?

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miamimike says on Jul 10, 2008, 17:04:

docwilliam says on Jul 10 (today): flag

"For example, today Bush will sign the Wiretap Bill which will grant immunity to the Telecommunications industry for illegally eavesdropping on our phone calls. Any true Freedom-Loving American, Liberal or not, should have a real problem with our government acting like the KGB. But opposition the to the bill was twisted into the idea that "Liberals" want the terrorists to win... blah, blah, blah."

Sorry Albatros, it was passed by the Democratic controled Senate before making it to Bush. Obama even voted for it! Why not give credit where credit is due, by including the Democrats?
I believe they may be going to far bypassing the use of Warrants too. But like I said....without the Democrats, it never would have made it to Bush.

I love this article and wish it was pasted on the cover of every History book because it is exactly where it belongs. History repeats itself and it is at the cost of Millions of lives. Does anyone remember how sad The Major Media was when the Iron Curtain came down? They were crushed, as were many of the Liberal extremists on the Hill. I have watched this Circus of events unfold for Decades and it is a welcome sight to see someone who can express, what has happened in history so well.

I want to frame it so every generation will understand this problem.
===================================================================
Doc, Good post! This is just what I meant in my earlier post. Bi-partisan support as in todays's wiretapping Bill that Bush signed. Without the Democrat's support, where would it be? Too many times here, one party, mistakingly, is given all the credit. Thanks for pointing this out today!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Rikito says on Jul 10, 2008, 17:20:

Why worry? If you ain't doin nothin wrong why do you care if they listen? And there are many restrictions if anyone bothers to read the bill. Albatross obviously did not. Maybe you should study before making uninformed opinions. I am not going to go into how the wiretapping business works because it would take to long and people like albatross wouldn't read it anyway.

Like someone else said, the democratic majority passed the Bill. Hillary said no, Mr. O said yes, and McCain was no where inside the beltway.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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briarblue says on Jul 10, 2008, 17:21:

Tasco, thank you for sharing the piece from Mr. Garnica. I found it to be an interesting read. Thanks again.

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Chriscan says on Jul 11, 2008, 01:48:

If you can only see politics as left vs right, you have a very limited mental capacity

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 02:59:

What a ridiculous post. Almost trolling I'd say.

Poor but snappy

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 03:01:

"how sad The Major Media was when the Iron Curtain came down" - you got to be kidding? It was a happy day on all the news channels.

Poor but snappy

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Albatross says on Jul 11, 2008, 04:18:

"Sorry Albatros, it was passed by the Democratic controled Senate before making it to Bush. Obama even voted for it! Why not give credit where credit is due, by including the Democrats?" - Docwilliam

I wasn't letting the Democrats/Liberals off the hook, tf you read my post I said "Any true Freedom-Loving American, Liberal or not". I wholeheartedly agree that there is little difference between mainstream Democrats and Republicans these days... maybe there never was.

And the truth is that I am much more disgusted with the Democratic Party (it has become little more than Bush's bitch) than I am with the Republicans... after all, I expect them to not give a fuck about us.

After all the Democrat's tough-talk before the mid-terms, just about the first thing Nancy Pelosi did was to take any talk of impeachment off the table... essentially granting Bush a complete pardon.

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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Albatross says on Jul 11, 2008, 04:30:

"Why worry? If you ain't doin nothin wrong why do you care if they listen?" - Rikito

Comments like that illustrate the inherent problem with Demoracy, every idiot has an equal vote.

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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aztec says on Jul 11, 2008, 04:59:

You may be interested in knowing that Conservatives share your concern about the wire tap bill. The right and left are in accord on this matter. History has too often proved that an unsupervised controlling government is more dangerous than any ideology.

Having said that, let me paraphrase one of the Justices, "The Constitution is not a contract for suicide"! There must be a balance which protects us and at the same time guarantees our freedom.

Where one draws the line is where the controversy exists. Someone with cultural backgrounds like Peter and Desi would place the restrictions at a different location than someone like me and others who see Government as more dangerous.

That is not a value judgment but rather my perception they see the world differently. Doesn't mean they are wrong or right. Fortunately those two views of the modern world can coexist in the center of political thought.

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tasco66 says on Jul 11, 2008, 05:30:

Now that’s funny, Buggy aka Cassini has posted numerous propaganda messages from Indymedia/anncol/polo/chavez etc… that were much more ridiculous than this, but I never saw any mod call it “ridiculous post. Almost trolling I'd say"

I think mods should be a little more neutral or if they want to be critical, do it with both left/right wing posts, or change the name of the web site to “leftie but happy', or now that Uribe has achieved the impossible with the successful rescue of Ingrid, “the unhappy leftie'

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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Rikito says on Jul 11, 2008, 07:46:

Albatross, than that means that you vote is equal to mine right? Fair enough.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 07:54:

Aztec, Europe is struggling with the same issues right now. In the last week or two there have been protests in Sweden over new electronic surveillance legislation (that includes email, I believe) and I think some aspects of UK law (and even French law!) are becoming fairly harsh when it comes to detaining suspected terrorists.

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vdubelu says on Jul 12, 2008, 10:12:

I don't get why everything has to be a Republican/Democrat issue. Facts should be just that, facts. You are entitled to your opinion, but not in breaking the law which is exactly what wiretapping is.

No Government in the world should be allowed to do what they want with their citizens, whether it be in the name of "Safety" or "Control". There is a very faint, gray line between the two. If the wiretapping story would not come out of the USA instead of Venezuela, oh how the tune would be different.

Us in the USA live with fear shoved down our throats every day, sorry Republicans but the king of fear in media is FOX, that is just a fact. Every news story that comes out of their mouths sounds like an ex-girlfriend just nipping at getting people scared or agitated. The government has people believing that without all these "rules" we are going to get hit by a plane, blown up by a roadside bomb, or worse converted to Islam. When the truth is that the probability of this happening is zip to nil. Even in Colombia when the worst was happening the chances of you getting killed or kidnapped or mugged was very low.

I believe, and this is just my opinion, that the real cause of all our problems here is the division we have as Americans - not the government. Yes, the government has caused it but we let it happen.

This whole terrorism story, although real in some cases has turned into "the boy who cried wolf". Very few people are taking all those alerts seriously, it's red, it's orange, it's green...no wait, it's always orange. The fear has been installed into our brains, so nobody is really panicking since it's now a fact of life, but the government keeps using it to pass all of these controlling rules.

We aren't FREE, we're controlled and these blatant illegal acts of the government in the name of freedom and security are just the beginning if we don't wake up from this American Dream.

Sorry for the rant.

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