Are we taking seriously the threats to our freedoms and way of life?

Answer 1

No we are not.However nothing new.
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller
Bread and games.Most people are more interested in the outcome of American Idol than they will ever be in the specifics of the patriot act just to name one issue.It's a sad scary world.Upside is the real evil is also not with as many as it seems.Key to victory of reason and common sense is to somehow penetrate the enslaved masses and make them aware of what's going on.Get them away from their thought killing entertainment and make them into the critical citizens this world needs if it wants to survive.

Answer 2

No we aren't but should be. (BTW justgoodfolk, I read Bertrand Russell too) The profiteers and Corporate America have many Americans exactly where they want them. They are so heavily in debt from credit card mania and mall madness they can only live from paycheck to paycheck. Some can't make it that far and have to get advances on their paychecks from these salary sycophant, check cashing, and payday loan sharks. This puts them in the dilemma where they get the second job and can't focus any time and effort into analyzing the situation they've gotten themselves into. They're as much as gullible in analogy as the cigarette smokers in the fifties and sixties were to the lies and deceit of the tobacco companies. How can anyone focus any attention on current events, world news, and/or political controversy when they have to keep their nose to the grindstone constantly just to pay the bills? For all practical purposes these people are dead already. These ARE the ones who if they ever did get a chance to wake up and see what was going on COULD and probably would make a difference.

Answer 3

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, here’s a nice little piece about how the bad guys are taking over, little by little.

WASHINGTON – Rep. Tom Tancredo’s charge that Mexican drug cartels are buying up legitimate businesses in U.S. cities to launder money and using some of the proceeds to win local mayoral and city council seats for politicians who can shape the policies and personnel decisions of their police forces, has been backed up by a veteran gang investigator.

Richard Valdemar, a retired sergeant with the L.A. County sheriff’s department and a longtime member of a federal task force investigating gang activity, went beyond the charges made by Tancredo, the chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus who has led the fight to secure America’s southern border.

In fact, he cited first-hand experience in investigating attempts to take over seven cities in Los Angeles County – Southgate, Lynwood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens and Huntington Park.

He also told WND in an exclusive interview that he has since become aware of similar efforts by Mexican drug cartels throughout the Southwest – in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.

And here’s how they do it:

“In the typical scenario, a wealthy Mexican immigrant opens a business in a small town,” he says. “It could be a very nice Mexican restaurant. He’s well-dressed, speaks English, seemingly a real gentleman. He gets involved in the community. His business welcomes police officers with discounts. He makes friends with city officials and other businessmen. No one has any idea where his money comes from – the Mexican drug cartels.”

Valdemar says the agent of the cartels often sets up other businesses – including the sale of cheap used tires and used autos. These businesses are used almost exclusively as fronts for laundering money.

Then he begins targeting political power in the town. When election time rolls around, Valdemar says, he sponsors – directly or indirectly – a number of candidates for the city council with the express purpose of winning a majority of seats for his handpicked operatives. Some of the candidates are simply in place to level baseless accusations against incumbents, while others keep above the fray, positioning themselves for victory.

As soon as they take power, the new majority fires the city attorney and names a replacement. Often the second city official to go is the city manager. Both of these moves are designed to cover up the illicit activities that will follow.

City contracts for trash collection and other services are given to friendly businesses – also in league with the cartel. Regulations on auto-repair businesses and alcohol sales are lifted – again, making it easier for cartel-tied businesses to operate more freely. Gambling ordinances are changed to permit casinos and bingo parlors. Loan sharking, prostitution and increased drug business follow – all of which increase revenues for the cartels and power for their agents in the city.

Valdemar says very few prosecutions are successful because of the wealth and political ties of those involved. The situation in the Southwest is grave, he says, and the problem is spreading nationwide.

“We lost California,” the Arizona resident says. “That’s why I don’t live there any more.”

Nice, eh? After reading this, I hope you can sleep at night, because this is going to bother me for a while.

Answer 4

Apparently not. A lot of people still vote for Republicans.

Answer 5

No, unfortunately, Justgoodfolks is absolutely correct, and the link he posted is right on the money! *sm*

Answer 6

yep.

The greatest threat to our way of life is terrorist extremism.

Answer 7

justgoodfolks answer is spot on

Answer 8

NO!!!!!!