Politics & Government - 29 June 2006

Have they lost it, are they working for some other country?

2006-06-29 07:57:33 · 15 answers · asked by gokart121 6 in Immigration

If so, why do you support it?

2006-06-29 07:56:27 · 17 answers · asked by gokart121 6 in Immigration

Do Orwell’s Predictions Ring True?


By Derek Shaw
The Daily Trojan
October 4, 2002
George Orwell's "1984" depicts a world that has been reduced to absolute governmental control over all areas of life, banishing the freedom to love, read and even think freely. The threat of constant warfare falsely propagated by the "Party," the single political power in the totalitarian state of Oceania, allows the government to maintain and expand its reign over the lives of its people.

Sound somewhat familiar? Well it should ...

As the likelihood of war in the Middle East continues to escalate, American citizens are slowly and methodically being stripped of some of their most fundamental civil liberties. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has successfully created an unprecedented fervor of patriotism, causing Americans to blindly hand over their freedoms in exchange for the promise of security.

Without attempting to cast any unmerited aspersions on our government or immaturely parallel a piece of fiction to reality, it is nonetheless interesting and rather eerie to compare the events in "1984" to the affairs of today.

Let's look at the facts.

In "1984," the bold slogan of the Party is "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." This set of socio-political paradoxes serve to justify the actions of the government while forcing the population to abide by the imperishable laws. The assumed objective of protecting the nation rationalizes all violence and corruption.

The state of Oceania in "1984" is involved in an eternal war with an unclear, ever-shifting enemy. The government leads the public to

believe that they are always in danger, when in fact

much, if not all, of the war is fabricated. One day the enemy is Eurasia, and the next day the government announces that the enemy is Eastasia and has always been Eastasia. The people swallow the lies and digest them as truths without raising a single question. The real purpose of war is to control opposition of the government and maintain total authority by cultivating fear and hatred.

Today we are facing imminent war with Iraq. A year ago our target was al-Qaida and bin Laden. Then it became a battle within Afghanistan. And just to be sure, President George W. Bush openly labeled Iran, North Korea and Iraq as the "axis of evil." In a later speech, he added Cuba, Libya and Syria to the growing list of nations that are allegedly seeking to obtain or develop weapons of mass destruction.

Indeed, the war on terrorism has spread out of control. On Aug. 22, 2002, Bush called Saddam Hussein a threat to the civilized world and announced that it was in everyone's best interest to see him removed from power. Granted, Hussein is not the first person on most of our Christmas card mailing lists, but what has really happened in recent years to warrant such treatment? Surely it is a mere coincidence that Bush (former oil tycoon) is targeting Iraq, which just so happens to have one of the most plentiful petroleum supplies in the world.

In many ways, Bush has become the physical manifestation of Big Brother, the omnipotent, all-knowing symbol of leadership in Oceania. In "1984," Big Brother is both feared and loved by the people. His power goes untested. Similarly, the Bush administration has sculpted an infallible image of integrity for itself, and the American people have responded with a show of faith and support. In fact, it has become accepted, if not fashionable, to show American pride with stickers, T-shirts and flags. A frenzy of nationalism has infected our country; and consequently we have put trust in the government to do all that is necessary to defend and vindicate the United States.

As a result, American freedoms are being cleverly attacked by new legislation, which is taking advantage of the vulnerability of its citizens. In "1984," signs reading "Big Brother is watching you" constantly remind the people of Oceania that their every move is being monitored and judged. The Bush administration has enacted programs such as TIPS (Terrorism Information and Prevention System), which allows the government to recruit citizen-spies within the United States to supplement law enforcement. In addition, the USA Patriot Act now allows law enforcement and intelligence agencies to expand surveillance to monitor phone conversations, Internet usage and business transactions. All the while, it eliminates the checks and balances system which allows courts to oversee the legality and integrity of the affairs.

Bush's proposal for a Department of Homeland Security, which happens to include an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act, intends to combine 22 federal agencies for the purpose of fighting terrorism more effectively. It sounds good on the surface, but the problem is that many of the actions will be performed in secret — hidden from the media and the public. Bush himself outlined the goal of the operation in a speech on Oct. 17, 2001.

He announced, "Ours will be a broad campaign, fought on many fronts. It's a campaign that will be waged by day and by night, in the light and in the shadow, in battles you will see and battles you won't see." The ambiguity of this statement is indicative of the whole war on terrorism. Just who are we fighting and why? These questions deserve answers.

Is America gradually slipping into an Orwellian society?

Maybe not, but no nation is indestructible. Bush has made it clear that war is imminent. The trend of violence is only growing stronger, and we are steadily becoming blind to the injustices perpetrated by our government in the name of freedom. So as we focus our attacks on Iraq and our rivals become more unclear and arbitrary, ask yourself, "Who is the real enemy?"

© 2002 The Daily Trojan

2006-06-29 07:54:18 · 6 answers · asked by Hoolahoop 3 in Other - Politics & Government

2006-06-29 07:53:24 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Immigration

My mom left the country over 6 months ago with plans to start a new life in France and to have my little sister brought over when she was stable.
She left my younger sister with my older sister. Now my older sister is trying to obtain gaurdianship of my younger sister (now 14 yrs old) without my moms permission. Can she do this?

P.s. - my mom cannot come back to the US due to HER immigration status but my lil sister is a citizen.

2006-06-29 07:51:46 · 16 answers · asked by MidnightEnigma 2 in Law & Ethics

Its been said there are a large number of scientist that say global warming is a natural planetary occurance and yet others claim man is causing it. Someone was citing stats on this a few months back but I can't find them. Is it 70/30 or 50/50 or what percentage believe man causes global warming and what percentage doesn't? Can you provide a link?

2006-06-29 07:50:23 · 9 answers · asked by netjr 6 in Politics

This would be easier because employers could verify employment via the resume and database. It would store all employment data including why they had left. You could also store educational information. This could be equvalent to a credit report.

2006-06-29 07:50:21 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Law & Ethics

G Bush seems to be a war monger and if he wants to invade another country, Mexico seems to be the best country, he could then control the immigration and take over all of Mexico's oil wells.

2006-06-29 07:50:03 · 12 answers · asked by pilot39@sbcglobal.net 1 in Military

A person charged with a crime can go through so many courts, so many procedures. Is the system more important than the lives of the people affected?

2006-06-29 07:49:45 · 1 answers · asked by mike2700 1 in Law & Ethics

Yes, ladys and Gentlemen Al Gore Has just confirmed that he indeed Invented the internet.. or was that an imposter...

2006-06-29 07:47:36 · 8 answers · asked by ralphtheartist 3 in Other - Politics & Government

They don't wear uniforms, they target and kill civilians, they torture mercilessly, cutting off heads of live victims, and other horrible violations of the Geneva Convention. WHY ISN'T THE WORLD UP IN ARMS ABOUT THIS? WHY DOES THE U.S. HAVE TO OBSERVE THE GC WHEN THE TERRORISTS DON'T?

2006-06-29 07:45:57 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Civic Participation

Or is there anywhere else I can get help with payments at all?

2006-06-29 07:45:41 · 14 answers · asked by Mummy of 2 7 in Other - Politics & Government

2006-06-29 07:45:26 · 20 answers · asked by fourlines9 2 in Law Enforcement & Police

when most of the people that are here come from immigrants?

2006-06-29 07:43:48 · 22 answers · asked by ? 4 in Immigration

2006-06-29 07:43:48 · 12 answers · asked by Suasana L 1 in Immigration

Presidents dismal approval rating, recent Supreme court defeat, prominant NEOCONS getting busted for illegal posession of drugs, quagmire in Iraq, etc.

2006-06-29 07:43:47 · 17 answers · asked by Dr.Feelgood 5 in Politics

Do I have to get a lawyer to type it up or can I do it my self?

2006-06-29 07:43:40 · 8 answers · asked by victoriaelaine2004 3 in Law & Ethics

I am sick of all the people who all they do is badmouth the government and the choices of Bush. I would like to see any of these people do any better in leading the nation. Am i the only one that feels this way?

2006-06-29 07:40:00 · 5 answers · asked by eddie_287 2 in Other - Politics & Government

sister solija,,sounds like soldier. cause a rastist still back in the 70's? i though she was nice and strong minded.

2006-06-29 07:38:05 · 2 answers · asked by cletus_fraley 2 in Other - Politics & Government

2006-06-29 07:37:21 · 6 answers · asked by krystalbay2005 2 in Military

2006-06-29 07:36:41 · 4 answers · asked by farvey 1 in Law Enforcement & Police

2006-06-29 07:35:56 · 19 answers · asked by midi_junkie 3 in Government

2006-06-29 07:35:02 · 6 answers · asked by xxXJokerXxx 2 in Other - Politics & Government

Many military recruiters have been calling asking my interest to join, and tell them that I would turn to the military as a last option. and if I did what branch would I join. If I was going the join, which should I choose, my interest lye with air force but which one enables access to the most top secret information,

2006-06-29 07:32:38 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Military

I think I have a solution to the problem of the shutting down of the hospitals that is caused SOLEY(sarcasm) by the illegals.I'm gonna go slowly for those Angry ppl out there,they don't seem to read too well.When your in vehiclular accident the hospital puts a lien on you.(A lien means you owe the hospital)The lien is filed in the courthouse(thats a big building where the keep all the county records,so they know who owns what).If there is a judgement in your favor($$$$$) the hospital gets their money before YOU do.Thats what the lien is for.
Now,use that general idea for the illegals.If they go to the hospital they get a lien put against them.The lien can be against their property,or their automobile.If they sell their property the hospital gets their money out of that.
Do you get it now?
It could work.

2006-06-29 07:31:53 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Immigration

I would love to see this ticket in 08 for us. What are your thoughts people

2006-06-29 07:29:33 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics

do you get frustrated when driving around in your cop car??
i saw a person today that was in the left lane and police car was in the right lane...well, this idiot refused to pass the police car, so they just drove right there, next to them backing up traffic and probably sitting in the officer's blind spot!
the kicker is that i was ahead of this moron in the left lane and i passed the police car b/c i wasn't breaking the speed limit and i was flowing with traffic.

so, are drivers instant boneheads when they see that car with lights???
do you ever get frustrated at people who start paying more attention to you than the other drivers and so, become potentially dangerous???

just curious...thanks!!!!

2006-06-29 07:27:57 · 15 answers · asked by joey322 6 in Law Enforcement & Police

I really need help finding this for school

2006-06-29 07:26:20 · 4 answers · asked by dougmiller929470 1 in Politics

i need some help finding this

2006-06-29 07:24:56 · 2 answers · asked by dougmiller929470 1 in Government

2006-06-29 07:24:43 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Government