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Ultraperio · 12-03-2010, 04:03 PM

I remember it as:

1. If you weren't in full support of the invasion of Iraq you were a terrorist lover that wanted them to have WMD's
2. If you weren't in full support of the Patriot Act you were a terrorist lover and obviously had something to hide from the government. Innocent law abiding Americans had no need for things like civil liberties and the right to privacy apparently.

I don't think its entirely party politics, but clearly high profile republicans that have been around are jumping from the "stop terrorists, security trumps everything" GWB boat to the "civil liberties are the only thing worth fighting for, the government is too big and overbearing" libertarian boat because of the change in popular opinion. The republican party is transforming before our eyes, and its not just because new people are taking seats.

The change in popular opinion seems to stem from people actually paying attention and lack of trust in the government. At the beginning of the decade it was all about unifying the country against a common enemy and trusting the government as they'll see us safely through, lolly pops and gum drops we'll kill the evil terrorists in the place where all the brown people are and live happily ever after. Now after 7 years of war that arguably hasn't made us any safer, torture scandals, prison scandals, record debt and deficit, bailouts of major banks, etc. etc. etc. all on the taxpayers bill. People trust the government a lot less now. Partly due to unrealistic expectations of the government on the part of the public and partly due to just terrible terrible governing.

Besides, TSA agents taking nudie photos and rubbing your taint in an airport is a little more 'in your face' than an esoteric law bypassing your fourth amendment rights and allowing warrantless wiretapping if you are a 'terror suspect'. So its understandable more people are getting riled up.

12-03-2010, 04:03 PM	#12
Ultraperio Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 122 Tweet	I remember it as: 1. If you weren't in full support of the invasion of Iraq you were a terrorist lover that wanted them to have WMD's 2. If you weren't in full support of the Patriot Act you were a terrorist lover and obviously had something to hide from the government. Innocent law abiding Americans had no need for things like civil liberties and the right to privacy apparently. I don't think its entirely party politics, but clearly high profile republicans that have been around are jumping from the "stop terrorists, security trumps everything" GWB boat to the "civil liberties are the only thing worth fighting for, the government is too big and overbearing" libertarian boat because of the change in popular opinion. The republican party is transforming before our eyes, and its not just because new people are taking seats. The change in popular opinion seems to stem from people actually paying attention and lack of trust in the government. At the beginning of the decade it was all about unifying the country against a common enemy and trusting the government as they'll see us safely through, lolly pops and gum drops we'll kill the evil terrorists in the place where all the brown people are and live happily ever after. Now after 7 years of war that arguably hasn't made us any safer, torture scandals, prison scandals, record debt and deficit, bailouts of major banks, etc. etc. etc. all on the taxpayers bill. People trust the government a lot less now. Partly due to unrealistic expectations of the government on the part of the public and partly due to just terrible terrible governing. Besides, TSA agents taking nudie photos and rubbing your taint in an airport is a little more 'in your face' than an esoteric law bypassing your fourth amendment rights and allowing warrantless wiretapping if you are a 'terror suspect'. So its understandable more people are getting riled up.