So...

I believe it was me who stated that this would never happen. It seems that I was incorrect, sadly (sadly in that this is a sad incident, not that I'm upset about being incorrect). It's MY door, not the state's door, and the decision about whether it's locked or not is MINE. This should result in a breaking and entering charge -- it would if you or I went around to all of our neighbors' houses jiggling doorknobs and poking around.

 

If they did it in my home I would either
A. Have shot one assuming it was a thief or
B. Filed a law suit against the police department for Trespassing, and unlawful search.

 

If something like this were to happen around here, I'd go to the police department, and inform them that if anybody comes to "check my locks" they're likely to get shot, so for the safety of their officers, I suggest they skip my house. Of course then I'd probably be put on surveillance on the suspicion of "hiding something". Funny how protecting one's own rights can be considered suspicious, or even a felony nowadays. In regards to guns, I'm afraid to own one because if I shoot an intruder, I am just as likely to end up in jail for murder, or have to pay the "victim" a settlement of millions of dolloars. Remember the case of the burglar that sued the home owner because when he entered through the skylight, he cut his leg on a knife on the table? He won. Justice isn't so clear cut is it?

Until the masses get their heads out of the media's ass, nothing will ever be done about this. You can bet your life there are powerful people out there working to remove our freedom in favor of profit and power. But if the news doesn't say so, then it isn't true. Conspiracy junk, right? I'll be buying a one way plane ticket right the f*ck out of this country if the fascism movement gains much more ground. While I still have the freedom, you know?

 

I just don't know what to say. I'm in shock(especially about the part where the burgalar got away with robbery and a lawsuit). What's to stop, let's say, one of them from stealing something expensive. Their cops. They can do anything and get away with it too. California is turning into a mess with stuff like this. You guys here the news. This country has changed the world for the best, but right now I'm scared it's going in the other direction. The only problem is, is there really a place to turn to? America is still the best place to live in the world right now. I've never seen another country with everything we have here. I just hope we learn or this will be the biggest downfall in the history of the world.

 

I would beg to differ. We are pampered sheep. We obsess about which celebrity is going to jail today. Or what will happen on the next American Idol. When it comes to politics, most people don't even have the foggiest idea what is going on, yet they have been fed with biased bull$hit from Republicans and Democrats alike to form their own "unbiased" opinion. Sooner or later it doesn't matter what is *really* going on. Republicans will defend things like the war in Iraq not because they agree with it, but because it is the Republican thing to do. Democrats are in the same boat. It all comes down to the simple fact that the majority is uneducated, but unwilling to admit it. They are comforted thinking the news is all they need to watch to gain a real world view of what is going on. The news is also strictly regulated so that only the news people want to hear, or the news that will generate more viewers is broadcast. Just about all of America goes by "what they heard on TV" about politics and the like.

I think Americans have a severe cling-to complex. Once an opinion is formed, it is locked down and labeled as "read only". I don't know if it is because people don't want to admit they may be wrong or something else, but it sucks.

 

Well said Hamma.

 

I never suggested an ideal society. Everybody has their own problems. I disagree that the rights of people are suppressed more everywhere else though. The things America originally stood for? I'd fight to the death to protect them as well. But with our rights being plucked away bit by bit under the guise of "the war on terror" I really can't say I would support such a machine. It seems like that would be the American thing to do if I'm not mistaken.

I fully support the original America. Not so much the America 2.0 that we see being molded into reality today.

Who does that? I'll make sure to stay away from that country .

But wouldn't you agree that the level of ignorance and stupidity in the United States is significantly higher, due in part to the comforted lifestyle everybody is so addicted to? Meanwhile those pesky rights to privacy and the like are being plucked away while the news bombards its viewers with terrorism propoganda as justification.

Is America the free really what it used to be? Rights that countless men gave their lives to protect are being willfully surrendered away as if they were never really that important in the first place. That scares me just a little bit. So forgive me if it seems I am dwelling on it.

 

I have lived in other countries. In my opinion, even with all her warts, there ain't no place like home (the US)!

 

I agree, Mani. Sure, we can all agree that the country isn't perfect, but what country is? Our system of government does work, though -- the US Constitution has actually been in use longer than any other constitution currently in effect. Comparatively, we actually have an extremely stable society, though it may not seem that way sometimes.

Now, this isn't to try to diminish Kai's concerns regarding the direction of the country, I think they're valid and he's right to be concerned. There is, and always has been, a fairly mean-spirited authoritarian streak in our culture, and that type of thinking currently permeates our politics. Now, I don't think we have to worry about the US turning into Nazi Germany 2.0 -- the economic and cultural conditions aren't right for something like that. But, this has, and could continue to be, problematic for the country in the short term. Long term, I think we'll be fine -- there's a lot of attention being drawn to this lately, and ultimately the largest individual counter to authoritarian compartmentalized thinking is education -- and education is increasingly important in our society.

 

Increasingly important, yet at an all time low :\

Those that wish to advance a personal adgenda still need the majority's consent. But look how easily they slipped the Patriot Act into action. It's a game of masterful manipulation. Ignorance (mixed with a little bit of fear mongering) just makes it an easier process.