L. J. James
February 2010

Is America
Still America Since 9/11 ?
on 9/11/01
America was scared. We had for only the 2nd time in our history, taken a
real hit. This one was not a shot to the body like the one we had taken on
December 7th, 1941. This was a Punch in the face. Our collective noses were
bleeding. Americans were terrified. The whole country had been injured.
Then out of the smoke and
darkness, our Government stepped forward and said sign this paper and We
will keep you safe! Americans did not look at the paper because they were
scared. Nobody thought of the consequences. All we wanted was to feel safe
again. No one thought twice when President Bush signed into law The Patriot
Act on October 26, 2001. The contrived acronym stands for Uniting and
Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept
and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.
Eventually the smoke cleared, we
wiped the blood from our noses, and the fear subsided. We started getting
back into our normal routines, although the horror of 9-11 had been
permanently etched upon our minds, engraved into our souls.
In 2002, George W signed the
"Homeland Security Act" and created the United States Department of Homeland
Security. With 9-11 behind us, freedom loving Americans began to wonder if
the US Government was using 9-11 as an excuse to infringe upon our
constitutional rights. People began to question if, in our state of panic,
we'd given away the very rights and freedoms that make America, America!
When the Act was first signed, it was suppose to "sunset" by the year 2005.
Instead, George W made the Act permanent by signing it into law in 2006.
Now the Government had virtually
unlimited power to do whatever it wanted under the disguise of keeping us
safe! In our moment of weakness, We had willingly signed away our
constitutional right to privacy, our protections against illegal search and
seizure? The law is very far reaching and has been criticized as being a
threat to our most basic liberties
I just think about the hundreds
of thousands of lives that have been sacrificed to protect the very rights
the so called "Patriot Act" has taken away. Just the thought makes me sick.
It's an affront to every American Soldier who has fought, been injured, or
died to protect these rights for all American Citizens.
Soon after the Act was signed
into law, we began seeing the Government use these powers to monitor United
States Citizen's phone logs, Internet traffic records, and bank and credit
information. The FBI and other Government Agencies are abusing their newly
expanded powers to investigate US Citizens who may or may not be involved in
Criminal Activity. In fact, there is solid evidence that certain departments
of the US Government and law enforcement are actually using the powers
granted to them to stop terrorism to actually "fish" for criminals. As time
has passed, more and more groups and individuals are coming forward to
complain about the abuses and to demand an end to the US Patriot Act. The
governments continued response is, they need the powers to keep us safe.
On November 5, 2009 an Army
Psychiatrist opens fire on an Army base killing 12 people and wounding 31.
We later learn that the government had been monitoring this person and had
knowledge that he was in communication with known terrorists, yet they
elected to do nothing.
On December 25th 2009, a Man boarded a plane heading
to Detroit tries to ignite a bomb. Luckily, he was stopped by passengers.
Again, the Patriot Act did not ensure our safety.
Since the Patriot Act was signed
into law, it's obvious that even though We have given up our freedoms in the
name of Safety, nothing had changed. We are no safer then we were on
September 10th 2001. All that has Changed is we've lost the basic Freedoms
guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Today, it appears that the US
Government is using the US Patriot Act as a way to ferret out would be
criminals, but what about tomorrow? Since 2001, this great nation has been
in constant "Crisis". We had the Financial Crisis, Housing Crisis, Credit
Crisis, and we are now in a Health Care Crisis. Seems like there is nothing
better than a good Crisis to keep Americans from thinking about
De-Industrialization, Inflation, the rise in fuel prices, Joblessness, and
the coming consequences of our tremendous debt.
Does anyone remember the
Terrorism threat of the late 60's & 70's? What about the Civil Rights
Activists and Anti-War Activists? I bet if the Government had the technology
and the powers they have today, they could have nipped those movements in
the bud.
Has anyone ever seen a Homeland Security truck in
their neighborhood? You know, the ones with about 20 antennas on them. Do
you think there is a possibility that they are driving around your
neighborhood eaves dropping on you and your neighbors conversations? Better
watch what you say. You wouldn't want them coming down on you for being some
anti government zealot or terrorist for saying what you really think. I
wouldn't want to see you get arrested because you we're planning on
attending a "Tea Party".
How many rights do we have to lose? How far will we
watch this once great Nation fall until we finally say enough? We're being
swindled out of our Children's futures by the Global Corporations and a
corrupt US Government. When do we start to say enough is enough? The time
has come for all Americans to stand up for the freedoms and rights that our
forefathers fought for and many true Patriots died for. The simple truth is
we are stronger and safer as a Free America then We will ever be as a
Government/Corporate Controlled America !!!
Do yourself a favor, take a few
minutes to read the Bill of Rights and the American Constitution. These are
the documents that were crafted by our forefathers to protect us not from
terrorism, but from our own government and to ensure that all Americans
would enjoy the freedom they worked so hard for.Today, America is still a
Free Country, One Nation Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL.
Standing on the principles of freedom against a Corrupt Government is
Americas Foundation. It seems we're at a cross roads. We can stand up for
what we know to be right, to fight as our forefathers have or we can let
America fall.
It begins with a letter to your elected officials.
Electing independent candidates who aren't part of the status quo. Pushing
for campaign finance reform so that the Global Corporations don't control
our Government. Participating in Protests, Rally's and National Strikes!!!
Written by Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com with Thanks going out to
NY-Biker.com for all their help.
The LJ James Archives
All columns contributed by L. J. James are considered copyrighted upon publication and are the sole property of L.J. James. Articles contained in this feature are published with the permission of L.J. James. Unauthorized use of ANY content found on New York Biker is prohibited by law. LJ James© 2009, All Rights Reserved
New York Biker © 2010, All Rights Reserved |