VIA terror plot

[Guest American Woman]

My apologies. You did say "could have had trains blow up." I read it as "would have had trains blow up."

[-TSS-]

I always get very sceptical when there are news of foiled terrorist attacks. They are always used as an excuse to further curb individual freedoms. After all, if the objective is to foil terrorist attacks you don't report about foiling them so that any would-be terrorists could learn from the mistakes made by others.

[Guest American Woman]

I always get very sceptical when there are news of foiled terrorist attacks. They are always used as an excuse to further curb individual freedoms. After all, if the objective is to foil terrorist attacks you don't report about foiling them so that any would-be terrorists could learn from the mistakes made by others.

Reporting them lets others know that they, too, could be caught - and dealt with. It could be a deterrent to some. It also lets the public know that the government is doing its job. It also raises awareness of the threat. Furthermore, if it weren't reported, I'm guessing there would be cries of "secrecy" and all that goes with it from many of those who complain about the curbing of individual freedoms.

[Michael Hardner]

I always get very sceptical when there are news of foiled terrorist attacks. They are always used as an excuse to further curb individual freedoms. After all, if the objective is to foil terrorist attacks you don't report about foiling them so that any would-be terrorists could learn from the mistakes made by others.

As AW pointed out, this is another damned-if-they-do-damned-if-they-don't situation. NOT reporting would bring accusations of cover-up, etc, when the news eventually got out.

Also - individual freedoms curbed would chiefly be the right to not have your email and electronic communications snooped with a warrant. I think I have asked for other examples of lost freedoms in the past but I don't remember what they are.

[Guest Kenneth]

We lose freedoms all the time when we allow special interest groups to force their agendas upon us all - and there have been many such cases in the last few decades alone. Also if you want to regain some of your freedoms, I'd suggest that you disconnect yourself from the Internet completely. Everything you do on the Net is being recorded and stored - this kind of "reality" is something Orwell could only have dreamed about.

[Michael Hardner]

We lose freedoms all the time when we allow special interest groups to force their agendas upon us all - and there have been many such cases in the last few decades alone. Also if you want to regain some of your freedoms, I'd suggest that you disconnect yourself from the Internet completely. Everything you do on the Net is being recorded and stored - this kind of "reality" is something Orwell could only have dreamed about.

I'm making a choice to be on the internet. It's fine for me.

What freedoms again ? Specifically, I mean.

[Guest Kenneth]

Exactly what I expected.

[Michael Hardner]

Exactly what I expected.

Are you retracting your statement "we lose freedoms all the time" ?

[jacee]

My apologies. You did say "could have had trains blow up." I read it as "would have had trains blow up."

Ya, lighten up a bit AW. The RCMP puffery is a bit of a political game Harper's playing. We make fun of them too:

RCMP to FBI following terrorist bust: Whose hats look stupid now?

Every time we go to some international terrorism conference,the FBI guys show up in their tailored suits and skinny ties,looking like Don Draper but if he carried a gun and had the legal right to detain you for up to 48 hours, said RCMP National Security chief Bob Lang. And they go on and on about their advanced forensic equipment and detailed registry of suspected terrorists. Then they look over at us and ask where the ponies that match our hats are.

The other day I swore that if I heard one more Dudley Douche Right joke,I was going to punch the son of a bitch who said it right in his brimless face, added Lang.

...

The bust couldnt come at a better time for the RCMP, which has recently been the target of vicious online bullying from the FBI and other older crime fighting agencies,who sent tweets,Facebook messages and emails to RCMP accounts with questions like have you caught any stage coach robbers lately and do those hats come in not insane looking as well?

It's like they dont even get how good they are for keeping water off your face when it rains, sighed Cook.

[Guest American Woman]

Ya, lighten up a bit AW. The RCMP puffery is a bit of a political game Harper's playing. We make fun of them too:

"lighten up??" What part of I read it wrong didn't you understand. Someone apologizes, and your reaction is to tell them to light up? Okaaay.

[Guest Kenneth]

Are you retracting your statement "we lose freedoms all the time" ?

Something seems to be retracting here - but it's not my statement...

[Michael Hardner]

Something seems to be retracting here - but it's not my statement...

I'll ask again - what freedoms are we losing ?

I don't think being coy about your reply helps your argument. It makes me think you don't have anything to back it up, actually.

[Guest Kenneth]

Speak for yourself.

[jbg]

I always get very sceptical when there are news of foiled terrorist attacks. They are always used as an excuse to further curb individual freedoms. After all, if the objective is to foil terrorist attacks you don't report about foiling them so that any would-be terrorists could learn from the mistakes made by others.

Are you skeptical that in 1970 Israel's airline, El Al threw a plane into a steep dive so that a "freedom fighter" fell over in the aisle before "liberating" a planeload of passengers?

Edited April 29, 2013 by jbg

[Michael Hardner]

Speak for yourself.

Actually, it's not just my point of view here. Part of putting together a coherent and worthwhile argument is backing up your facts. And it's not just a matter of good style, it's a guideline here. ie. If you are stating a fact, be prepared to back it up with some official sources. At a certain point, if you refuse to rationalize your arguments, people will start to complain to the moderators.

I'm interested in speaking to people with opposite points of view, but only if their opinions are well thought out, not just prejudices.

[WWWTT]

As AW pointed out, this is another damned-if-they-do-damned-if-they-don't situation. NOT reporting would bring accusations of cover-up, etc, when the news eventually got out.

Also - individual freedoms curbed would chiefly be the right to not have your email and electronic communications snooped with a warrant. I think I have asked for other examples of lost freedoms in the past but I don't remember what they are.

If there was an actual train that blew up or another kind of terrorist act that occured,then yes it would be a rock and hard place scenario.

Keep in mind that the two arrested are innocent until proven guilty.

Just because they were charged,it is not evidence of guilt.

Proof,evidence and witnesses must come forward.The crown and the RCMP have to provide very much to prove what is alleged.

I'll wait to see what comes out of the trails before I make judgement.

WWWTT

[guyser]

We lose freedoms all the time when we allow special interest groups to force their agendas upon us all - and there have been many such cases in the last few decades alone.

Care to expand and tell which ones? I dont seem to be missing any. I checked my 'rights drawer' and its still full.

ETA: I see others have asked with nary a reply. So I guess you can ignoe my request too....not that you have any semblance of an answer anyhow.

Edited April 29, 2013 by guyser

[guyser]

I'm quite serious.

NO you're not.

[WWWTT]

Care to expand and tell which ones? I dont seem to be missing any. I checked my 'rights drawer' and its still full.

ETA: I see others have asked with nary a reply. So I guess you can ignoe my request too....not that you have any semblance of an answer anyhow.

G8 G20 Toronto 2010.

WWWTT

[guyser]

G8 G20 Toronto 2010.

WWWTT

Nice try, but nope.

[Guest Kenneth]

G8 G20 Toronto 2010.

WWWTT

If by that you mean the leftist dimwits and rock throwers - you're on the right track.

[Michael Hardner]

G8 G20 Toronto 2010.

WWWTT

Actually, I do think this is an example of freedoms being removed. In this case, the Ontario Government of Dalton McGuinty removed the right to free expression temporarily, although it was not in response to terrorism.

I agree that this is an example of governments taking away rights, though. Luckily, they never intended to take them away permanently - and they used tactics of deception that will likely not work again.

I don't know, though, whether we're in an era where governments can be said to be 'taking away rights' as a general statement. Often, I find, those who say that prefer to speak very generally.

[Michael Hardner]

If by that you mean the leftist dimwits and rock throwers - you're on the right track.

Hi Kenneth - can you please read the rules again ? Insults aren't allowed here. Thanks.

[PIK]

Come on mike, he is not stepping over the line on that one. I have heard alot worse about the righties. People need top grow a thicker skin.

Hi Kenneth - can you please read the rules again ? Insults aren't allowed here. Thanks.

Edited April 29, 2013 by PIK

[cybercoma]

Come on mike, he is not stepping over the line on that one. I have heard alot worse about the righties. People need top grow a thicker skin.

I'm not going to ask you for a link because it's irrelevant, but you need to report those posts because they are against the rules. It has nothing to do with the thickness of peoples' skins.