If you thought the SOPA bill was scary

[Sekto Springs]

Get a load of this shit.

[Nate]

That headline is a bit overdramatic, don't you think?

Whilst I think the bill is bullshit, of course, I'm not going to put too much trust in to anything given to me by a website that appears to contain nothing but conspiracy theories.

[Sekto Springs]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the indulgent sensationalism proposed in this article is just that.

It's been a pretty hot ticket in the American media. Hotter than the SOPA bill actually, which saw almost zero coverage. A 93-7 voting is pretty staggering for a senatorial vote. I doubt, however, this will squelch passed Congress.

[Nate]

I heard that Obama is planning to veto it, so that's a plus.

[Sekto Springs]

Some folks are theorizing that this is a response to the Occupy movement(s). If that's the case, the occupiers are only making it worse. Trololol.

[Daxter King]

Meh, I plan to move to Switzerland eventually anyways.

[Dynamithix]

All these IP protection bills are getting fucking stupid.

[moxco]

Close. This is an anti-terrorism bill.

[JennyGenesis]

Only in America *faceplam*

I tend to say that an awful lot

[Dynamithix]

Close. This is an anti-terrorism bill.

Oh. I thought it was another IP bill.

[Jordan]

I didn't fully understand the purpose/effects of this bill. I apologise. Could someone give me a brief explanation as to what it means?

[Crashpunk]

I'm going to be honest as well, I don't really know whats going on

[STM]

I can't make much of it either but I'm sure whatever it is, it's not waging outright war on the people of America. Fuck off.

[moxco]

The American government now has the ability to kill and detain people without a warrant - presumabley terrorrists. That sensationalist article, written by September 11^th was an inside job people, who are confusing reality with Nineteen Eighty-Four, is implying the government is out to assassinate your grandma.

[STM]

My grandma is the chief executive of a cocaine cartel in Bolivia. It's more than likely.

[Sekto Springs]

I wish the government would assassinate my grandma. She's a cunt.

[T-nex]

Huh? But he bakes you yummy lemon tarts Or whatever they are called.

[Nate]

The American government now has the ability to kill and detain people without a warrant - presumabley terrorrists. That sensationalist article, written by September 11^th was an inside job people, who are confusing reality with Nineteen Eighty-Four, is implying the government is out to assassinate your grandma.

I hadn't heard about the killing. From what I understand, it's giving the President the discretion to order the arrest of anyone for an indefinite period without charge. Which is still pretty shitty.

[MA]

fuck sakes.

[Sekto Springs]

What you guys have to understand is, despite the sensationalism of this particular article, this bill allows the judicial system to forgo certain fourth amendment rights. Though I doubt the passing of this bill will yield the Orwellian dystopia described in this article and others like it, it has the potential to be very invasive. Also, if this passes, it opens the door for other unconstitutional bills that would otherwise be ousted.

Any bill that lets government step over the constitution should be thrown out immediately. The fact that it's gotten so much support from the senate is very troubling. Bear in mind that though the bill targets terrorists, the term "terrorist" as recognized by law is comically broad. Anyone who owns firearms, has served in the military, or even has an unusually large stock of food can be suspected of terrorism.

[MeechMunchie]

So fat people are terrorists? No wonder the US is convinced the threat is everywhere...

[STM]

Hell, one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. The American government really can convict absolutely anyone of being a terrorist, but then, they could do that before. In the UK, if you are a suspected terrorist, you can be held without trial by the police.

[Sekto Springs]

The American government really can convict absolutely anyone of being a terrorist, but then, they could do that before.

Right, but they still had right to a fair trial and proper imprisonment. When they don't, it usually gets out and causes a huge fuss, as in the case of the Abu Ghraib scandal.

[Nate]

Right, but they still had right to a fair trial and proper imprisonment. When they don't, it usually gets out and causes a huge fuss, as in the case of the Abu Ghraib scandal.

I dispute your use of the word 'usually'. How many people were renditioned to Egypt and other politically friendly but legally dodgy places for torture?

Hint: The answer is 'More than you can name.'

[Sekto Springs]

That's true. I can't tell you how much "enhanced interrogation" takes place, but since the coverage of Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghaib, I'm certainly more aware of the possibilities. That's what's so frightening.

All in all, every American privy the frequency of unfair/inhumane interrogation/imprisonment as it is knows the dangerous potential of this bill. Based on some of the articles I've read about the prison system (as well as a few firsthand accounts from a friend who used to work in one), I wouldn't be surprised to learn torture is already being committed on American soil. I feel like this bill, in it's vagueness, almost guarantees some ignominious treatment towards suspected terrorists.

[Dixanadu]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and assume this was a conservative republican's idea.

[Wings of Fire]

You get liberal republicans now?

[Dixanadu]

Only in Norn Iron, boss.

[Sekto Springs]