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woo me with science

(32,139 posts)

156. There's been a lot of rhetoric to normalize authoritarianism

Mon Jan 13, 2014, 06:49 PM

Jan 2014

from the corporate propaganda brigade.

I don't know this poster's history so can't speak to this post directly, but posts seeking "reasonable discussion" of options for trashing our Constitution as though they were reasonable, debatable ideas have been a staple in the propaganda coming from the usual corporate apologists and mouthpieces...e.g., for the NSA.

I have written about this normalizing tactic before:

Don't entertain this garbage.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022981567

The corporate-authoritarian propaganda in the MSM and right here on DU now is inviting you to "debate" your fundamental Constitutional rights. You are being asked to have very respectful and serious discussions about the pros and cons of the government's having the right to spy on every single one of us, and amass and store our private information and communication activities in databases that can be accessed at any time in the future. The rationalizations are varied but invariably outrageous: Corporations do it, so what's the difference? Doesn't the new world of terrorism demand new methods? Don't you realize some bad, bad Republicans are against this?

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

How does authoritarianism happen? Bit by bit, step by step. And the outrageous propaganda we are seeing now is designed to shift our thinking.....to invite us to debate, in utter seriousness and with great respect for the opposing arguments, our Constitutional rights, as though they should be debatable at all. We do not entertain "serious" and "rational" debates about the pros and cons of killing and eating small children. We likewise should not respond to these oh-so-serious bids to debate whether we really need our fundamental Constitutional rights and protections.

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There MUST be a law against donning bumper stickers so offensive, no, I don't have pix! [View all] MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 OP

How do people that ignorant wind up with 'LandRover money'? Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2014 #1

They're sociopaths. ForgoTheConsequence Jan 2014 #2

+1,000,000 lunasun Jan 2014 #151

Beats me... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #40

That had to have stolen from someone... seattledo Jan 2014 #92

They 'network' laundry_queen Jan 2014 #128

freedom of speech grasswire Jan 2014 #3

Just like the 2nd Amendment, there are limits to the 1st. NutmegYankee Jan 2014 #25

Obscenity is usually pretty tightly limited to sexual stuff.. sir pball Jan 2014 #124

That's the beautiful thing about free speech. TheMightyFavog Jan 2014 #47

"Congress shall make no law.....abridging the freedom of speech" brooklynite Jan 2014 #4

Call 911 JJChambers Jan 2014 #5

Thought police don't have jurisdiction over bumper stickers el_bryanto Jan 2014 #10

Just fine JJChambers Jan 2014 #57

Not really... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #23

Not legally. Sassysdad Jan 2014 #6

Where I live, bigoted gun lovers are the majority (although they all don't advertise it like Hoyt Jan 2014 #7

Some states use obscenity laws to cover this area... Shandris Jan 2014 #8

I'll have to see what PA has to say about that... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #15

Absolutely! Shandris Jan 2014 #22

The courts have reliably thrown out such laws as MineralMan Jan 2014 #60

Call your county attorneys office tomorrow Jenoch Jan 2014 #72

I saw one yesterday... BanzaiBonnie Jan 2014 #9

Really? Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #12

At the very least, I would have approached the vehicle owner to ask... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #19

I don't think these people would have held still for a slapping Boudica the Lyoness Jan 2014 #166

"If the owner of the vehicle had approached at the moment I read that, I might have slapped them." Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2014 #175

Really? I assume you want to censor offensive liberal stickers too? tritsofme Jan 2014 #11

"What's the deal with this censorship drive around here lately?" Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #13

Was there one? MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #24

Oh, there's been a few threads on whether or not Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #29

There is no censorship drive and you know it. Kingofalldems Jan 2014 #28

Look! It's my buddy!!!!! Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #30

I am definitely not your buddy. Kingofalldems Jan 2014 #44

LOL!!!!! Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #48

Here ya go U4ikLefty Jan 2014 #53

And your point is....................? Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #55

And here I thought that we were having a bonding moment. Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #118

Hey… I've been missing out on those posts... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #33

My bumperstickers are liberal and offensive AnalystInParadise Jan 2014 #69

Thanks... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #74

Is this offensive? Make7 Jan 2014 #70

Awesome AnalystInParadise Jan 2014 #71

Probably... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #75

No, it's damn near perfect! raven mad Jan 2014 #188

There's been a lot of rhetoric to normalize authoritarianism woo me with science Jan 2014 #156

good stuff nil desperandum Jan 2014 #163

Very well said, woo me with science Jan 2014 #174

You have no legal recourse, 1st Amendment. Shrike47 Jan 2014 #14

Yes, Often the valve stems are loose on Land Rovers. You might want to check. FSogol Jan 2014 #32

Better hope you don't get caught vandalizing someone's vehicle, Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #34

LOL. Freedumb! FSogol Jan 2014 #36

Who said anything about getting shot? Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #37

This land rover is your land rover... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #35

LOL. Woody Guthrie is probably doing back flips though. kairos12 Jan 2014 #117

Since then, my husband reminded me that it was a Pathfinder... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #140

Keep a camera handy. Should you see it again snap a photo. Solly Mack Jan 2014 #16

That's probably the best way to handle it, Solly Mack... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #26

I'm often amazed by what people will put on their cars. Proudly declaring themselves pieces of shit. Solly Mack Jan 2014 #63

I like this idea. People like this are frequently Ilsa Jan 2014 #54

Sometimes humor is the best defense. Solly Mack Jan 2014 #65

PoliceMAN? FrodosPet Jan 2014 #98

Well, I know it's not the norm, Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #100

sorry. I know better. It's shorter to type. Ilsa Jan 2014 #120

My staunchly liberal eldest son is a Criminal Justice major. He's a junior in college, and ... 11 Bravo Jan 2014 #148

Good job you're here to nip at our heels and keep us all in check Boudica the Lyoness Jan 2014 #167

LOL! FrodosPet Jan 2014 #171

On a serious note, though, degenderizing occupation names is important FrodosPet Jan 2014 #172

You'll have to have a word with the US air force then. Boudica the Lyoness Jan 2014 #178

Maybe Zoomies? FrodosPet Jan 2014 #179

Really? You think the deacon in a bible thumping church doesn't expect members of his church onenote Jan 2014 #114

I live in NM and got ticketed in CO rusty fender Jan 2014 #147

Did you fight it? 11 Bravo Jan 2014 #149

First of all, do you believe in Constitutional rights? Second... ChisolmTrailDem Jan 2014 #17

... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #42

Jag-off has had plenty of Constitutionally-protected speech, all one-way. Orsino Jan 2014 #51

I think the Constitutional right trumps everything... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #126

Yes, it does. If the 1st applies to us, it applies to them as well. And, to your point ChisolmTrailDem Jan 2014 #143

No. Just no. X_Digger Jan 2014 #18

+1000. eom Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #20

Some states have laws about obscene bumperstickers, others don't, those who do tend to specifically Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #21

If they succeeded in pissing people off RadleyJ Jan 2014 #27

True... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #31

Offensive and tasteless? Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #38

Why MUST there be a law? MNBrewer Jan 2014 #39

Doesn't have to be a law, but I would want to know what kind of recourse there could be... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #41

I don't think you should have ANY legal recourse MNBrewer Jan 2014 #58

Illegal = "whatever I don't like"... I looked it up! cthulu2016 Jan 2014 #122

Other than ramming the dildohead, no Warpy Jan 2014 #43

No, there doesn't have to be such a law and applied to your facts, it would be unconstitutional onenote Jan 2014 #45

Good explanation MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #64

Actually, during Shrub's reign of terro raven mad Jan 2014 #189

Is there some right to not be offended I'm unfamiliar with? eom TransitJohn Jan 2014 #46

Yeah there's a recourse... lame54 Jan 2014 #49

This is the best advice I've seen on this thread. Captain Stern Jan 2014 #52

This. Just this. flvegan Jan 2014 #56

Sorry, I support the 1st Amendment. Good luck with your "fight". nt TeamPooka Jan 2014 #50

No, there's probably no law against it, and if there were MineralMan Jan 2014 #59

Is is too much to ask for a little public decency? meanit Jan 2014 #61

Yes it is. Egnever Jan 2014 #62

Do you know the difference? meanit Jan 2014 #76

Yes common sense should tell you Egnever Jan 2014 #80

Anyone can say anything they want in private meanit Jan 2014 #86

It's not well accepted, but it's not illegal. Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #96

Never said it was illegal meanit Jan 2014 #99

And who, precisely will be in charge of... 99Forever Jan 2014 #66

You really need to get a grip. meanit Jan 2014 #78

My "grip" is just fine, pal. 99Forever Jan 2014 #88

I'll tell you what, meanit Jan 2014 #90

Nor do you. AnalystInParadise Jan 2014 #93

No, I'm no authority on others free speech. meanit Jan 2014 #101

The insults I can handle AnalystInParadise Jan 2014 #169

None of my posts on this subject ever meanit Jan 2014 #177

No pal, you'll fucking tell me nothing. 99Forever Jan 2014 #94

Thank you. meanit Jan 2014 #97

What if someone had called George W. Bush that during his presidency? PlanetaryOrbit Jan 2014 #111

First off meanit Jan 2014 #112

I would still claim that while it is wholly offensive, Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #113

Free speech is a right meanit Jan 2014 #115

Agree with you Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #116

Yep AnalystInParadise Jan 2014 #170

I agree with you, meanit. Curmudgeoness Jan 2014 #83

I call the GOP things 10 times worse meanit Jan 2014 #89

Benjamin Franklin: "Everything one has a right to do is not best to be done." onenote Jan 2014 #84

And when the day comes that the right doesn't have the market cornered meanit Jan 2014 #87

Well the day came in 2006 onenote Jan 2014 #134

The right sells many more bumper stickers than the left fated rom what I see, meanit Jan 2014 #145

Well MNBrewer Jan 2014 #119

Give 'em the middle finger if they're on the road... ProgressSaves Jan 2014 #67

That would fall under the Sticks & Stones Amendment. WillowTree Jan 2014 #68

The only possible protection would meanit Jan 2014 #95

Seems to be the mentality of NRA fans. Initech Jan 2014 #73

Think of it as doing you and the world a favor. It's an "idiot detection device". PeaceNikki Jan 2014 #77

I say the same about confederate flags. JoePhilly Jan 2014 #79

Also helps make decisions if said idiot wants me to yield. PeaceNikki Jan 2014 #82

recourse? No, of course not. bowens43 Jan 2014 #81

I feel your pain but ya gotta let it slide. Laffy Kat Jan 2014 #85

I like your attitude, Laffy Kat MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #125

It does make it very easy... 3catwoman3 Jan 2014 #91

the stickers are offensive, but they should not be criminalized bluestateguy Jan 2014 #102

True, that... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #127

hmmmmm........a racist, misogynistic homophobic gun humping coward Skittles Jan 2014 #103

Since you said that... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #129

bumperstickers are not big around here Skittles Jan 2014 #153

Many people are quick to call for offensive speech to be banned, until....... PlanetaryOrbit Jan 2014 #104

Pretty mild compared to this little gem... Hippo_Tron Jan 2014 #105

That's pretty fucking bad, H_Tron! MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #130

Only if there's a recourse for kiva Jan 2014 #106

Carry a stack of Obama bumper stickers demwing Jan 2014 #107

Had I passed this car... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #131

There's one around here Le Taz Hot Jan 2014 #108

That one could have several meanings... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #135

Nah, I think the meaning's pretty clear. Le Taz Hot Jan 2014 #142

Glad to see I'm not the only person aptly expressing... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #164

Unless they are a member of the Armed Forces shedevil69taz Jan 2014 #109

How exactly would such speech be banned? I'm asking a technical question. PlanetaryOrbit Jan 2014 #110

Yeah, it's not enforceable. MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #136

Move to an Amish community... Lost_Count Jan 2014 #121

It may date you Go Vols Jan 2014 #123

I remember that one… MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #137

It may just be Tenn. Go Vols Jan 2014 #141

I just take joy in my own stickers, only recourse get the red out Jan 2014 #132

Tasteful and humorous go a long way... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #139

The right wing stickers are nasty, ours generally aren't get the red out Jan 2014 #144

Excellent point about low brow expression. In quite a number of cases, you really can... 3catwoman3 Jan 2014 #157

Yes, your recourse is to learn to live with it. This is america and even assholes have rights CBGLuthier Jan 2014 #133

Unfortunately, no. Free Speech. However, it disgusts me that both conservatives and liberals ScreamingMeemie Jan 2014 #138

This ^^^^ meanit Jan 2014 #146

Yep... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #150

Your DMV has a phone number or website link underpants Jan 2014 #152

What they saw is not obscenity. onenote Jan 2014 #154

Thanks, underpants... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #159

Where I live people hang signs of the President with orpupilofnature57 Jan 2014 #155

I'm sure you'll get some true rednecks to take offensive ... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #160

I spoke to a police officer that I know in PA. Curmudgeoness Jan 2014 #158

DING! DING! ... WE HAVE A WINNER!!! MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #161

Sorry, but you don't have a winner. onenote Jan 2014 #176

I did see your post... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #180

It shouldn't hold because a bumpersticker with the word "cocksucker" doesn't meet the definition onenote Jan 2014 #182

The devil, you say... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #185

how does the single word 'cocksucker' meet the requirement of an "explicit AND detailed" onenote Jan 2014 #186

I define a "description or narrative account" as something not constituted by word count... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #187

If challenged, the ticket would be tossed. Guaranteed. onenote Jan 2014 #165

That may be true, I am not in law enforcement Curmudgeoness Jan 2014 #183

This message was self-deleted by its author Recursion Jan 2014 #162

Just a reminder Boudica the Lyoness Jan 2014 #168

Seen yesterday.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jan 2014 #173

This gem adds some class warfare... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #181

He shouldn't be arrested for it. But he *should* be shunned by all decent people. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #184

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2015 #190

Geez, you had to travel long and far to find that one... MrMickeysMom Jun 2015 #191