Our rights do not originate with government, but they are to be "secured" by government.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Damned if You Do, Damned . . .

By Tom Rhodes

We as citizens are now in the position that if we do as the government has asked us to do then we are to be considered terrorists. If you follow the recommendations provided by our government through FEMA and prepare for an emergency the FBI says you’re a terrorist.

The government through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, specifically advises citizens to collect stockpile and keep a "Kit" ready in case of emergencies.  The FEMA site recommends that we stock our disaster kits with such items as:

  • Food that does not require refrigeration and has a long shelf life (MRE’s)
  • Emergency preparedness manual
  • Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Knife
  • Compass
  • Matcheas in a waterproof container
  • Waterproof storage containers
  • Maps
  • Cash and Coins

    Identity theft is a major problem, many government web pages urge people to guard their personal information. One of the best ways to protect your identity is not to give it out and to use cash whenever possible.  When somebody shows an interest or requirement to have your identity and know your business, common sense dictates that you should not provide that information. 



    The FBI has distributed a flyer to retailers, some of the purchases/activities that the FBI has requested they be on the lookout in a recently purchased flyer:
  • Waterproof Match Containers
  • Meals Ready to Eat
  • Night Flashlights
  • Paying with cash
  • Wanting to protect personal identity

  • This FBI produced flyer titled, “Communities Against Terrorism” states:



    Preventing terrorism is a community effort. By learning what to look for, you can make a positive contribution in the fight against terrorism. The partnership between the community and law enforcement is essential to the success of anti-terrorism efforts. 

    Some of the activities, taken individually, could be innocent and must be examined by law enforcement professionals in a larger context to determine whether there is a basis to investigate. The activities outlined on this handout are by no means all-inclusive but have been compiled from a review of terrorist events over several years.

    Included in the flyers is a request by the FBI that among other actions retailers:
  • Require valid ID from all new customers.
  • Keep records or purchases.
  • Talk to customers, ask questions, and listen to and observe their responses.
    br />So if we are good citizens and do as our government asks by protect our identities and take personal responsibility to take care of ourselves in the event of a disaster by storing reserve food supplies, water, self defense armaments, cash and tradable goods, etc. then we have become “persons of interest” and domestic terrorism suspects.

    I often say we have “Too Much Government.” When the very act of doing what some parts of the government asks us to do is now considered an indicator of terrorist activity or intent, it is clear that saying we have “Too Much Government” may be the understatement of the century.

    This blatant example of Too Much Government had me worried and mad, then I remembered a quote by Thomas Jefferson that gives me hope. 

    "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." ~ Thomas Jefferson.

    Obviously a significant portion of the justly people fear the government. Just as obviously the government fears the people, especially people who are willing to take responsibility for their own security and wellbeing.  Maybe, just maybe, this irrational fear of the government has for the people is an indicator that liberty is not totally gone, but it is a warning to us all, that the government is not our friend or benefactor but a necessary evil which will take our liberty with the slimmest of excuses and we need to remain vigilant against the intrusion of government tyranny into our lives. 
  • No comments:

    Post a Comment