Have you noticed, in your study of history, that when a government becomes ultra-secretive . . .?

Question

. . . and the citizenry is forced into transparency (vaporization of privacy), that tyranny ALWAYS follows?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071217/ap_on_go_pr_wh/white_house_secrecy

Does EVERYTHING have to be a big damned secret with these folks? If they've done nothing wrong, they have nothing to worry about . . . or something like that.

Answer 1

There are ten steps that fascist dictators take to gradually shift a democracy into a fascist regime. Here are the steps:
1. Invoke an external and internal threat. -Global War on Terror.
2. Establish Secret Prisons. - Abu Gharib
3. Develop a paramilitary force.- Blackwater
4. Surveil Ordinairy citizens. -Illegal warrantless wiretapping, opening private citizens email and mail.
5. Infiltrate citizens groups. - Anti-war groups have been infilitrated by undercover police, etc.
6. Arbitrarily detain and release citizens.
7. Target Key individuals. -Valerie Plame, Michael Moore, Dixie Chicks.
8. Restrict the press. -See: Lead up to Iraq War.
9. Cast Criticism as "espionage" and dissent as "treason." -Two words, ONE witch: Ann Coulter.
10. Subvert the rule of law. -Bush's EXCESSIVE use of "signing statements" which allow him to sign legislation into law, but HE decides which laws are enforced and which aren't.

And to those who would question your wanting to know everything or telling you not to worry about it, to only worry about yourself, I say that our government works for US. If they wish to turn a blind eye to what our government does, that is their right. But it's just as much our right to turn a watchful eye toward our government and to hold them accountable. Our government works for the American people and in our name. Therefore, we have a right to know everything they do and have done in our name. And if those politicians in Washington wish to sully their own names, they're welcome to it, but they will not drag the name of America and Americans through the mud with them.

Answer 2

Absolutly....
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.
James Madison
It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad.
James Madison
Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty.
James Madison
"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. … No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare."James Madison
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
Thomas Jefferson
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.
Thomas Jefferson
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson

Answer 3

I agree. Trouble is that we allowed it to happen. We were bored in history class and did not remember that the governmental power come from our consent. Somewhere along the way Americans decided it was more important to feel safe than to be free. We never fought when they took this group's or that group's freedom. Now, they're taking everyone's freedom and there is no one left to fight. You get an answer like the one above; "just pay your taxes and shut up."

How about; write your representatives and get your freedoms back. They say that if a congressperson gets 20 handwritten letters about one topic they pay attention. 30, they start getting nervous and 40, they do something about it.

Vote and have your voice heard. Participate, instead of asking these questions.

Answer 4

You hit it right on the head..." if they have done nothing wrong"... Well, I think we all know that they have.. and they are coming to the end of their term.. they want to hide as much as possible.

The test will be for the next administration.. will they have the intestinal fortitude to delve into all these secrets and get these law breakers.. or will it be cronyism.. and they will let it slide.

Answer 5

Yes I have, and it is always done under a guise of security, getting the citizens to accept...."If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear!" Meanwhile, anyone who sees what is going on and opposes it, are denounced as unpatriotic or traitors.

Answer 6

Funny...Tyranny didn't follow the American Civil War after Lincoln suspended Habeus Corpus...Tyranny didn't follow World War II--would you not agree that the respective governments were pretty darned secretive during WWII?

Therefore, you must also agree with my assessment of your inane generalization as nothing more than the usual partisan drivel. Thanks for playing.

Answer 7

I disagree with you. Tyranny comes JUST BEFORE all the secrecy. Then more tyranny to cover their butts.

Answer 8

I have noticed that throughout history, the rulers don't make a habit of full discloser to anyone, even here and now.
I don't know where you got your degree, but I have a hisory degree from Berkeley with a minor in Near East Studies and the situation your decrying has always been the case, or in other words,
The King doesn't consult the swineherd!

Now, tell me about all you know of history, put it in a thimble, and mail it to me!

Answer 9

In a playful devils advocate role, I'll turn that one back around. Why is it that we feel the need to know everything? Why can't some things be as they are? Again, not trying to be a nasty answerer, just turning it around for thought?

Answer 10

Yeah, it's a shame what these guys are doing:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/01/clinton.documents/index.html

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