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Air Marshal Law In America ?
What ? Marshal Law being enforced in the USA ?
Well, read the rest of this, then you tell me.
Since no sooner have we learned of American Air Marshals acting as accusers, prosecutors, judges, jurists and executioners of a mentally ill man in Miami -- than we now learn this.
Air marshals test patrols on land
The TSA is trying to expand the role of air marshalsUS air marshals are expanding their work to bus and train stations, ferries and other mass transit facilities under a three-day test programme.
What ? You mean you hadn't heard ?
No sweat. Don't feel duped -- again. Nor too dumb either.
When Richard spoke today to an US friend of his who's an American radio broadcaster - and as smart & savvy as it's possible to be - she hadn't heard anything about it either. She said this immensely important info, unfortunately hadn't "reached the colonies yet".
But surely everyone should have heard by now -- because the BBC broadcast this loud & clear enough -- as long ago as yesterday.
The TSA is trying to expand the role of air marshals to bolster home security ....
See ?
Okay, now look again;there's more.
Undercover marshals and uniformed officers will be conducting anti-terror surveillance, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.
But where?
You may well ask. Try the following, for starters.
Amtrak's North-east Corridor and Los Angeles rail lines; ferries in Washington state; bus stations in Houston; and mass transit systems in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore.
Eh ? So how many of these armed marshals are mingling amongst us?
Sorry, it's a US state secret. See here for yourself.
The exact number of air marshals working across the US is classified.
But the new name of this new force isn't a secret at all. It seems there's even a certain amount of smugness involved, as far as the title bestowed on this latest lot of gun-slinging, bunch of big brothers are concerned
" Visible Intermodal Protection and Response " teams -- or "VIPER" teams ....
What another absolutely, bloody brilliant brainwave by some sick Bushista barmpot, eh?
I mean, ask yourself the question. How could just the police, National Guard, FBI, CIA, spooks, SWATs, covert-ops, black helicopters, Army, Navy and Airforce ever hope to continue to cope - all alone - without these fine fellows?
Don't worry. We don't expect an answer. That's just another of Richard's regular rhetorical questions. But you already realised that. Erm, didn't you?
But bear this in mind -- if from now on you're ever approached aggressively, by a bunch of bellowing armed bruisers -- you'd better beware.
Do NOT run for your life.
Definitely. Don't do it!
Since the odds are you may stand a much better chance of survival if you simply stop in your tracks, then hang round to see if they're merely regular terrorists, run of the mill homegrown thugs, completely crazy crack-heads or maybe nothing more menacing that the friendly, neighbourhood thieves.
A couple of chaps chatting over coffee in Rick & the old Brit's local cafe today, were clearly heard to say in conversation, words to the effect that these privateer-type law enforcers would be more correctly called -- if they were working only overseas -- 'contractors'.
Hmmmm. While we won't yet call in the jury on that one, we will wonder aloud whether the once fairly thin edge of a certain American authoritarian wedge hasn't grown much thicker, far, far too quickly for comfort.
And incidentally, in the not too distant past, Richard wrote on this blog how close it appeared that the US and UK were to becoming police states. And from certain quarters, Richard received in reply rather a lot of ridicule. So right here and now Richard unreservedly retracts those remarks.
Police state? Naw. Not really. Never. It's now even worse than that in America.
So, get set finish by feasting your unbelieving eyes on the full BBC piece at the link below. Then prepare to defend and to fend for - yourselves, your families and your friends.
And Richard and This Old Brit ?
We think we've seen, heard and said quite enough. For one day anyway.
So good night, and good luck America.
posted by Richard at Thursday, December 15, 2005
16 Comments:
Ridiculing ?!! Who was ridiculing ? The police-state is here. Aside from death-squads patrolling transport, it's also come out that the Pentagon is spying on civilians who may be a 'threat' which now includes anti-war groups.
There is a hell unfolding on this earth that isn't life at all. The same shit is happening in the UK. It's any excuse at all to get martial law provisions in there. Bush is obsessed with the concept, and Blair similarly.
We are all in so much danger.
This Air Marshall pilot program is just more of the same old crap - putting up a smokescreen in the hope that we will ignore is really happening. We have all seen how well the Air Marshalls performed in Miami. That whole incident has been swept under the carpet. I have not read one report on bullet entry wounds on poor Mr. Alpizar. We don't even know if he was shot in the back. The only thing we know is that he was behaving strangely and was shot for not stopping when ordered. That really bodes well for the deaf population! Does anyone actually believe that the presence of these roving viper teams are going to make us any safer? These marshalls are federal employees I am not sure whose jurisdiction they fall under probably Homeland Security. We just seem to lack all common sense. We have air marshalls roaming yet we are now allowed to bring small scissors again on aircraft, and you can still get real cutlery and bottles on board. Maybe Homeland Security needs to go on a field trip to an Irish traveller wedding to see what damage can be done with a broken bottle! At San Jose airport you can get speedy security clearance for a mere $80 -like terrorists won't pay the extra money. Sorry to rant it's enough to make you want to put your head in the Aga!
I broadly agree with you. We made the world an unsafer place by the outrageous response to 9/11 and now we're sliding further down the slope of a police-controlled environment, in the name of security.
Rationally though, I prefer more "homeland security" to more invasions and the "spreading of freedom", Allied-style.
We've really created a mess of epic proportions, haven't we?
Contractors is ok - but mercenaries is more like it.
Christ!
How dumb can some people be?
I just read some idiot on a forum singing these marshal's praises.
he thinks they're a great deterent. he thinks suicide bombers will think twice before getting on planes if they know these guys are aboard --- 'cos they don't want to risk being shot.
Can yoy believe it??????
Suicide bombers who are scared of dying?????????????
Jeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzusssssss !
How effin' dumb can they get?????
an old guy was held for questiong at the labour conference for shouting one word - RUBBISH!
now a lady has been arrested - for just reading out the names of british soldiers who have died fighting the blair-bush oil-war --
belmarsh? rendition? etc, etc?
and some think everythings just as it fine & dandy as it always was
that it's a free country?
that there's free speech?
that everyone's innocent till proved guilty?
that everyone has the right to legal councell and reprensentation?
and we're not turning into a police state?
some people are so dumb they deserve evryounce of shit that that this government tips over their heads ------ really and truly DESERVES IT !!!!
jultra,
What best describes the 'don't wanna knows'? Ostriches? Blissful ignoramuses? The blind who WILL not see? Who knows? But they're out there - plenty of them. They'll probably wake up eventually - but when it's too late.
graniab,
Sorry to rant ? Ha. Well you shouldn't be. It's those who stay silent who need to apologies - to those of us who try to enlighten them. So, rant on all you like.
gotham,
Spot on about the cover up over here. And now the survivors of the tube bombing are being brushed aside too. No public enquiry needed says the Bliar.
As for 'where it gets us' - well, I don't think we'll ever find out - if we don't keep at 'them'.
(I'll get on over to your blog later and take a look at your latest.)
gert,
"Mess" I think is an understatement. Haven't any of these so called intelligent men ever heard about the very first rule of holes?
Apparently not. And, they've also chosen to bury the whole concept of the UN peace force/keepers - under all the shit they've been shovelling.
Weren't those multinational troops 'invented' to clear up such messes?
Of course, that's just another 'quaint' notion, according to the neocons & cohorts.
bluey,
Same difference, eh? A rose by any other name.
Anon,
Great example of some of the loony's logic! Thanks. Sadly, we'd better believe it, 'cos that's the way so many still think.
me,
Thank you too. More reminders & examples of how it's already gotten be. When anything like this hits the doubters 'a little bit closer to home' and maybe involves someone near & dear -- maybe they'll remember all the things they choose to want to forget.
Well, a suicide bomber is afraid of dying before the job's done. Dying in vain is a really terrible thing.
However, say what you like about suicide bombers, it doesn't attract the stupid. Nor the irresolute. If this is what people are putting their faith in, then they're in for a big nasty shock if someone actualy puts it to the test.
In the meantime, a lot of non-suicide bombers are going to be shot. The deaf, the drunk, the uncontrolled diabetics, the mentally disturbed, the epileptic, the frightened -- you're all on notice.
I wonder what's next: the same way you see a lot of people carrying see-through backpacks in London, we'll now have people carrying great big signs explaining that they sometimes have problems?
dei,
I won't go into detail but your list just put myself and my missus on notice. Forunately for us, from where we live, whenever I fly it's never in a westerly direction - ie:toward the US. Never has been before, and now it certainly never will be.
Blair's so called New Labour party is nothing more than old conservatism.
He's openly admitted from day one that mad Maggie Thatcher was one of his role models. Really.
He's a two faced toadying tw*t who's as happy and at home with Bush as he [still] is with ole Bill C.
'Course, come to think of it, Poppy Bush has been bossom buddies with Bill too, for quite a while now.
Politicians ? Political parties? Heh. Don't get me goin'. Heh. Y'know when y'hear people sayin' things like "He's old enough to know better" ? Well, This Old Brit is --- and he does.
Over 90% of all pro politicians are proven pricks ;^)
I have an articale I should send you- now the TSA is going to make a list of defectives- and ban their flights- things here are bad... and they get worse by the day- I am on a no fly list- because I blew the whistle on a large chemical comp.and hazardous waste dumping , as a nurse it was making 1000's sick, and so a year ago I was sick and I could not fly- because I am on the no fly list- how batshit insane is that ? In California I was not allowed to buy books at this one bookstore- because my records had been requested- and they were not comfortable with my "situation". So I am also on a Watch List, it is much longer story than that- and I could and would love to tell you more- But here is the thing I am a MOM and a Nurse, that is it plain and simple....But I foiad the govt for their own records, because I had sick neighbors and friends, I ran a non-profit for health issues- oh, and did I mention the Comp pres is GOOD friends with - guess? Bush. This is not about terrorism, it is fascism. Please know Americans are frustated....not just me. It is disgusting.....
3AKVv4 The best blog you have!
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