OT: Patriot Act more likely to used for normal crimes than terrorism

[JohnL]

Something I wasn't aware of; The Patriot Act is being used more often for non-terrorist crimes than it is to go after terrorists.

Patriot Act used for non-terrorist crimes

[Scott]

Here's a good site for you JohnL

http://prisonplanet.com/

[JohnL]

Thanks for the link. Very interesting, and fairly scarey.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Just more proof we are now living in a police state.

[Eirik]

"Just more proof we are now living in a police state."

I'm not a fan of the Patriot Act...  but come on, man.

[Eirik]

"I'm not a fan of the Patriot Act... but come on, man."

Allow me to elaborate since we're off topic:  the US legislature passed the Patriot Act and the US legislature can get rid of the Patriot Act.  In an actual police state, the powers of the central government are not derived from a representative body and they are unassailable once in place.  In an actual police state, activists (and actorvists) wouldn't be allowed to voice concerns and opposition to those powers - they'd be silenced and jailed.  In an actual police state, you wouldn't have the guts to say what you just said in such an easily traceable forum.  I've spent some time in an actual police state.  Trust me, you're not living in one.

[Velvet Brotha]

I think they need to focus on the real criminals out there. Not the people that watch porn or send stupid e-mails to each other. It's getting so bad that you can't even enjoy a hobby without being tagged like a freaki'n animal.

[Scott]

"There is a time for everything under the sun" Solomon.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Eirik,

Sorry about the confusion.  The worst thing about chatting/posting online is not being able to properly convey sarcasim.  I posted the police state comment in sarcasim, but as I go back and read it now I see that it didn't come across that way.

I know 100% that we aren't in a police state.  Hell I love my freedom, even if I don't like our leaders.

[Eirik]

No problem, Skaboi.  I have fallen into that trap and really p**sed people off on line because you can't inflect your voice or roll your eyes in this medium.  It's my understanding that there are little abbreviations and symbols you can type to indicate sarcasm and such, but I'm not too well versed in that stuff.

[Bmeansgood]

Did you notice What it is being used to prosecute?  
white collar crime, spies, corrupt foreign leaders, drug traffickers, money launderers, and child pornographers.  

A lot of people complain that white collar crime (see Enron) does not get prosecuted as vigourously as other types of crime.  

I think there could be a legitimate relationship between spies, corrupt foreign leaders and terrorists.  

Drug traffickers and money launderers, I don't know if there is a relationship there, maybe a weak one in limited situations.

Child pornographers are admittedly not even remotely related to terrorism.  But I would point out that child pornographers have been public enemy #1 for a few years now.  

Just trying to look on the bright side.