True Tales of the Citizen Corps: A New Breed of Secret Agent

Ever Vigilant ^ | 07/24/2002 | Lee R. Shelton IV

[sheltonmac]

BUMP

[billbears]

I would laugh but it's not funny. This could very easily happen and I think when Bush leaves office it may very well will happen.

[dd5339]

You left out the part about getting busted by the cigarette nazis!

Semper Fi

[phasma proeliator]

It's already happening... even without the 'Citizen Corps' or the Patriot act.

it's been happening for years.

[billbears]

I agree, but it's never been as bad or as out in the open and fully supported by the general government as it is now. I've yet to see any politicians (except maybe for Ron Paul) actually come out against this. The problem is it's very hard to fight against. They're using security as an issue. We're just trying to protect you and the sheep are falling in line quickly. It's organized, that's another major difference, organized at a level I think that may have been suggested in the past but never fully implemented

[Tauzero]

Most excellent, IMO.

[phasma proeliator]

I disagree.

the ATF and FBI have been doing this for years... (along with local law enforcement).

all are government supported and security and "protection" has always been the B.S. story. it's not organized - if anything it's less organized.

[Diamond]

Cable Guy leaves out the part where the FBI burns down Mrs. Benson's house and bulldozes everything.

Cordially,

[Dukie]

Rod Serling was so very prescient with his many episodes of the "Twilight Zone" - still seen on various cable channels and in video format. I highly commend the episode : "Nightmare on Elm Street" as a perfect illustration of the societal consequences when suspicion of each other is sewn among the citizenry.

The local government in Pittsburgh has implemented a kind of a paid TIPS program: An informer can annonymously turn in a report of an individual possessing a handgun which he believes may be illegal for the cops to check out. No need for other manifestations of criminal activity or knowledge of a history of criminal activity on the part of the subject. If it turns out to be an illegal possession, the rat ... er.... informant... stands to collect $100. If not, well, it was a training exercise in big brother's further intrusions into the lives of law abiding citizens.

[eshu]

This is great

[medzork]

what makes you think it will happen as soon as bush leaves office..it will happen BEFORE he leaves office.. thats the whole point of this citizens spying on citizens program..either that or its a way to profile w/o their agenencies coming under fire for profiling.. but you think Bush is noble for pushing for and instituting this program, but that his successors will use it irresponsible..isn't the whole program irresponsible?

[billbears]

No I don't think Bush is all that noble, not anymore at least. Yes I did vote for him, so I still have a tendency to give him the benefit of the doubt. My point was that it's not being used against conservatives completely..yet. Will that happen before he leaves office? Maybe. But when he does leave office and someone like Hillary or John Edwards gets in, it will be much worse

[Red Jones]

very funny.

[headsonpikes]

Funny, but not shocking.

He doesn't really capture the fear felt by the quarry, and therefore can't really give voice to the lust of the informer.

This cautionary tale paints a very rosy picture of life in an American 'security' state. As foreshadowings already indicate, the reality will be much meaner. :^(

[sheltonmac]

"I highly commend the episode: 'Nightmare on Elm Street'..."

Actually, I believe the name of the episode to which you are referring (according to the TZ Episode Guide) is "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street." That was one of my all-time favorite TZ episodes. Another one of my favorites is "The Obsolete Man." That one starred Burgess Meredith as a man sentenced to die for his "obsolete" belief in God. I think we're headed in that direction as well.

[Democratic_Machiavelli]

Thanks. :)

"I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob."

[Fred Mertz]

Excellent article!

[Democratic_Machiavelli]

All they need is another attack as an excuse to suspend the Constitution. They're already starting to do it.

Justice Dept. Forges Ahead With TIPS, Despite Armey Ban

[HarryDunne]

Creepy article. Reminds me of a Monthy Python sketch.