Bush to Biden: 9 Liberties Lost Since 9/11
Marxists to Neocons, surveillance to militarized police: How many freedoms have you lost since 9/11?
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the United States government implemented a range of measures in the guise of enhancing national security. Two decades later, America is in far worse shape and Americans have lost many fundamental liberties.
In 2015, on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America, Cary Wedler wrote an article for the former website, theAntiMedia.org, outlining nine prominent liberties lost at the hands of an overreaching American government since the USA Patriot Act was passed in 2001.
The ruling class, led by the unholy union of Neocons and Progressives have turned America from her foundational principles of liberty toward soft despotism, nay, tyranny! Calling a spade and spade: we examine here the wedded works of the Machiavellian Alinksy-ite Luciferian Marxists and the false front fascist warhawks whose steady decrees, exactions, and ongoing emergency declarations continue to strangle the rights of Americans.
https://www.youtube.com/live/r0XoXdQcteY?si=rfMlZbSklw9HB7YO
1. Freedom of Speech
Government scrutiny and incremental criminalization and punishment for dissent, including George W. Bush’s creation of "free speech zones,” suppression of whistleblowers, and the Leftist tactic of digital ghettos and “cancel culture.”
The USA PATRIOT Act expanded surveillance capabilities, increased monitoring of speech, and broadened the definition of "terrorism," now commonly referred to as “extremism,” to include domestic and online speech activities. The designation of various groups as potential threats has led to increased surveillance and intimidation of inconvenient activists, primarily Conservative.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012 included provisions for indefinite detention without trial, often targeting those deemed as threats to national security.
"When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan." (Proverbs 29:2)
2. Right to Privacy
The expansion of unwarranted government surveillance post-9/11 has led to widespread privacy violations.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act allowed for the collection of foreign intelligence information from non-Americans outside the United States.
Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act permitted the NSA to collect telephony metadata enabling mass data collection on American citizens.
“Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (cf. Matthew 23:27-28).
Jesus condemned violations of trust via secretive actions and hypocrisy. Governments that secretly infringe on privacy violate the trust required for righteous leadership.
3. Right to a Fair Trial: Erosion of Due Process
The right to a fair trial has been compromised by provisions that allow for indefinite detention without charge or trial. Emergency declarations and various executive orders have expanded executive power at the expense of judicial oversight.
H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024 (NDAA) continues the authorization of indefinite detention of anyone labeled as a “suspected terrorist,” including U.S. citizens.
The Military Commissions Act established military tribunals for trying detainees.
“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed To rob the needy of justice…” (cf. Isaiah 10:1-2)
Unjust laws, oppressive decrees and denial of fair trials is an act of injustice directly condemned by God.
4. Protection from Military in Domestic Affairs
The militarization of police forces and frequent SWAT raids on civilians have become far too common.
The Pentagon’s 1033 program transfers surplus and new military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, equipping local police with military-grade weapons. Use of excessive use of force in civilian areas justified by the need to combat “terrorism” and maintain order. They also receive weaponry, personal body armor, armored vehicles, and state of the art surveillance and attack technologies.
VIDEO: Who is protecting your freedoms? (1033 program)
A complex web of private foundations and other federal programs, such as the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Areas Strategy Initiative (UASI), the Defense Department’s 1122 Program grant, and Byrne Justice Assistance Grants provide even better equipment and weaponry that is not second generation or military hand-me-downs, but shiny new state of the art weaponry and surveillance technology. The funding mechanisms behind the militarization of police in America are shadowy and well protected by law enforcement and their close relationship to lawmakers and the justice department. (Policing Project).
READ: New York Post: IRS has spent $10M on weapons, ammo and combat gear since 2020
Public officials, especially Congress who approved the program, pay very little attention to oversight of militarization. A new report by researchers at the Policing Project found that policing agencies acquire militarized equipment from sources beyond the 1033 Program, and in fact prefer doing so. One way or another they will get the equipment and weapons they want.
Over the past couple of decades, the size, scope, and power of the federal government has dramatically grown. There are 458 ‘Special Office of Inspector General Agents’ within Health and Human Services (HHS) armed with sophisticated weaponry and trained by military Special Forces contractors.
But these security forces pale in comparison to the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS owns 259,891 guns (not including the Transportation Security Administration, which doesn’t offer disclosure).
Why does the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) need 4,500 guns and five million rounds of ammunition? Why did HHS purchase four million rounds over the last 8 years and stockpile five submachine guns? And what about the 800,000 rounds purchased by the Social Security Administration (SSA)? Is it hypocritical for political leaders to criticize private gun ownership while simultaneously equipping non-military agencies with hollow-point bullets and military-style equipment? This is what is referred to as creeping normality, or death by a thousand cuts.
For a stunning, but revealing, comparison, there are 200,000 federal officers with arrest and firearm authority, and there are only 182,000 U.S. Marines.
A police officer's creed is to protect and to serve. A soldier’s mission is to engage his enemy in close combat and kill him. If cops are being trained like soldiers, dressed up like soldiers, and given the equipment and weapons of soldiers, should we be surprised when they act like soldiers?
We must not outsource our duty as Americans. Protecting our freedom is the duty of every American and no one else’s. Soldiers of our military, when deployed for righteous reasons, should be honored and treated with utmost respect. They defend our nation’s sovereignty from threats beyond our borders. But, inside our borders, in our states, counties, local cities, towns, villages, and communities, the protection of our God given rights rights and freedoms is the duty of every man. The Constitution secures those rights and freedoms but also requires that we protect and defend them. The Constitution doesn’t suggest or strongly encourage that we protect and defend our liberty, it is required.
Full Report: The Militarization of the U.S. Executive Agencies | OpenTheBooks Oversight Report
2006 — 2019: 103 federal agencies outside of the DOD spent $2.7 billion on guns, ammunition, and military-style equipment (Nearly $1 billion ($944.9 million) between 2015 and 2019 alone.
The IRS with its 2,159 “Special Agents” spent $21.3 million on guns, ammunition and military-style equipment The agency stockpiled 4,500 guns and five million rounds of ammunition.
2015 — 2019: 76 Administrative agencies spent $110.6 million on guns, ammunition, and military-style equipment
2015 - 2019: 27 traditional law enforcement agencies $800 million on guns, ammunition, and military-style equipment
SLOPPY CONTROLS: In the most recent audited three-year period: DHS lost 228 guns DHS also lost 1,889 badges and 25 secure immigration stamps
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
The Bible advocates for peace and justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. Militarizing the police contradicts these principles through fear and oppression. As it turns out, the greatest threat to American sovereignty is Americans.
5. Economic Liberty
Post-9/11, the government has expanded economic control under the guise of national security. This includes increased taxation, regulation, and the funding of military ventures through taxpayer dollars.
The Dodd-Frank Act introduced extensive regulations on financial institutions.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act increased government spending and intervention in the economy.
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7)
Excessive economic control and indebtedness to fund military operations place undue burdens on citizens, contrary to biblical teachings on stewardship and justice.
6. Liberty to Know Government Actions
Despite promises of transparency, successive governments, particularly the Obama and Bush administrations, have often shrouded government actions in secrecy, citing national security. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are frequently denied, and whistleblowers face severe repercussions.
The Espionage Act has been used to prosecute whistleblowers who reveal government malfeasance.
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
The Bible encourages exposing deeds of darkness. Governments that hide their actions from the public act contrary to this biblical principle of transparency and accountability.
7. Liberty from Harassment by Authorities
The militarization of police and the broadening of law enforcement powers have led to increased harassment of civilians. Programs aimed at preventing terrorism have often been misused to target non-violent individuals and communities.
The USA PATRIOT Act expanded law enforcement's ability to monitor and harass civilians under the pretext of national security.
Stop and Frisk Policies have been abused by the worst of law enforcement and used as an intimidation tactic by politicians through warrantless searches.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.’” (Zechariah 7:9-10)
The Bible calls for justice and mercy, instructing not to oppress the vulnerable. Harassment and unjust treatment by authorities violate this divine directive.
8. Liberty of Self-Ownership: Personal choices
The government has increasingly regulated personal behaviors and choices, particularly related to drug use and bodily autonomy. This expanded control has been justified as necessary for public safety and the perception of security.
The Controlled Substances Act enforces strict drug laws with imbalanced sentencing and violations of bodily autonomy.
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) includes mandates that impact many personal healthcare choices.
During the COVID-19 operation, millions of Americans were coerced and threatened to submit to arbitrary testing and vaccination with an unproven substance violating the sphere sovereignty clearly prescribed by God, the giver of law and establisher of all government authorities.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Governments that overly regulate personal choices infringe upon this biblical principle of self-ownership and personal responsibility attempting to usurp the dignity of the Imago Dei.
9. Freedom of Movement
Enhanced security measures and travel restrictions have limited the freedom of movement. The establishment of no-fly lists and stringent airport security protocols have often led to arbitrary and discriminatory practices. Likewise, in recent years, vaccine passports and arbitrary mandates and lockdowns have violated numerous constitutional provisions.
The REAL ID Act established stringent requirements for state-issued IDs and licenses as well as transferring the identification process from local governments to the federal government.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Regulations have implemented extremely invasive authoritarian-like security screenings of even children.
“‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)
The Bible instructs authorities to treat foreigners and travelers with kindness and justice. Excessive travel restrictions and discriminatory practices stand in opposition to God’s mandate for all those in positions of authority.
Our Duty
In the aftermath of 9/11, through a combination of legislative measures and executive actions, the government has expanded its control and surveillance capabilities at the expense of constitutional rights. As Christians, it is essential to critically examine these developments through a biblical lens, condemning actions that violate the principles of justice, mercy, and righteousness. Leaders who employ fear and coercion to maintain power must be held accountable. It is our duty to remind them who gave them their authority and that they will stand in stricter judgment before God. (Hebrews 13:17)
Politics affects policy and policy affects all people. If we don’t stand firm and glorify Christ, and advocate for America’s return to her foundational principles of liberty and traditional Christian values, we soon might not have a nation to defend.
Charles Spurgeon said,
“We have had enough of clever men without consciences—let us now see what honest, God-fearing men will do!”
The war we face today is not a rebellion, revolution, or even physical. Our greatest weapons, if we intend to fight for our country now, will be spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4). The weapons of our warfare are: Divinely powerful, for pulling down strongholds, for the destruction of fortresses.
How do we fight against wickedness in high places? We fight with the gospel truth. We fight with prayer, and by exposing evil. The only possibility for America’s return to greatness is for a great awakening, for God to bring a great revival in America.
But, a true awakening will not come to our nation unless we can learn to faithfully pray for our nation and our leaders, especially if they are our enemies. A biblical principle that many do not love.
“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, demonstrating all gentleness to all men. For we ourselves also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.” (Titus 3:1-3)
The worst problem we are facing as a church in this season of struggle is anger, resentment, and bitterness over everything that is happening. Expressing such bitterness and resentment means that the blessing of God is not resting on us. The blessing of God only rests upon those who are capable of blessing their enemies.
Unless we can faithfully bless our enemies, pray for them, and ask God to bless them, especially when they lie, cheat, steal, and kill, we cannot expect God’s blessing to rest on us or our nation. We do not get indulgences, my friends. We cannot buy ourselves a free shot at wicked rulers. There is no getting around the truth.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)
Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” and Jesus commands us to bless those who hate us, hurt us, and gripe us. Romans 12 has a chapter heading that says “Marks of the True Christian.” What are they?
“Outdo one another in showing honor . . . Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
We’re not only commanded to bless and pray for them, we’re not even allowed to hesitate! At our first opportunity, our command is to ask God to bless that person, bless his day, bless his family, bless his labors, etc.
Why would God want to bless someone so deep in sin?
Whether or not God actually blesses that leader or whoever it may be, is God's department. It isn’t for us to decide whether or not a person is worthy of God’s blessing. We already know that we are not worthy of God’s blessing! (Romans 3:10-18).
It doesn’t matter whether we think it would be good for that person or not, what we know is what God has said, and He has said that it would certainly be good for us to give the blessing. Our duty is to glorify God, and we do that through obedience to His will. We can trust God to do the right thing with our obedience.
It is certainly understandable that, after enduring the tactics of these darkened minds for many years, and after being overwhelmed by their constant lies and deceptions, we might get a little irritated with such nonsense, we might feel sad, discouraged, hopeless, or really angry and fire off hateful diatribes at our nation’s ruling class.
Take heed, when we fall into that temptation as reactionaries, when we allow anger to rule our hearts and bring us down, we have fallen for the devil’s ruse. The purpose of the 24/7 news cycle is not to keep you informed, it’s to own your mind and to evoke reactions in you. We are different. Let us be different. Let us be faithful in our duty as Christians living as sojourners in a great nation.
A version of the original article by Cary Wedler can be found here:
References:
- USA PATRIOT Act. Public Law 107-56. (2001).
- National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012. Public Law 112-81. (2011).
- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act. Public Law 110-261. (2008).
- Controlled Substances Act. Public Law 91-513. (1970).
- Affordable Care Act. Public Law 111-148. (2010).
- Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Public Law 111-203. (2010).
- REAL ID Act. Public Law 109-13. (2005).
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Seven facts on Christian Ireland
1. Ireland has been a Christian nation for centuries, the Proclamation of Independence states “We place the cause of the Irish Republic under the protection of the Most High God.”
2. Christmas and Easter are public holidays in Ireland where we celebrate Saint Patricks Day for helping to build an exclusively Christians Ireland.
3. The Bible is the Holy Book of the Irish Nation which is used within Irish courts.
4. The first commandment in the Bible is “Thou shall not have any gods before Me.”
5. Blasphemy was an offence in Ireland according the Article 40.6 of the Irish Constitution.
6. The lawful definition of Blasphemy is “the offense of speaking matters relating to God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, or the Book of Common Prayer, intended to wound the feelings of mankind or to excite contempt and hatred against the church by law established, or to promote immorality.”
7. The Irish Constitution recognises the Divinity of The Lord Jesus Christ and states “We, the people of Éire, Humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ”
Seven Facts the Anti-Christ Irish State Ignore
1. The Irish watchdog, Broadcasting Authority Ireland (BAI) undermined the democratic process by refusing to enforce their own Objectivity & Partiality Rules 19. Views and facts shall not be misrepresented or presented in such a way as to render them misleading. Presenters should be sensitive to the impact of their language and tone in reporting news and current affairs so as to avoid misunderstanding of the matters covered. 20. A significant mistake shall be acknowledged and rectified as speedily as possible, in an appropriate and proportionate manner. A broadcast correction or clarification shall have regard to the time and circumstances of the original broadcast. These rules were ignored when false information was broadcasted stating that Blasphemy was “the action or offence of speaking sacrilege against god anybody’s god” just before the public went to decide on whether to remove the word Blasphemy from the Irish Constitution.
2. The Irish High Court when addressing this matter stated “the presenter's reference to blasphemy in the context of the referendum could not be considered as inaccurate or misleading”
3. The Court of Appeal when addressing this matter stated “the presenter’s reference to blasphemy in the context of the referendum could not be considered as inaccurate or misleading.”
4. This Irish Supreme when addressing this matter stated “this Court is not satisfied that the applicant has not put forward any matter of general public importance”
5. Irish judges when appointed must take the oath “In the presence of Almighty God…..that I will uphold the Constitution and its laws.”
6. Irish Defence Forces swear “I will be faithful to Ireland and loyal to the Constitution” and that they will not join “any secret society whatsoever.”
7. Irish Gardai (Police) swear to “declare before God…..upholding the Constitution and its laws” and not to belong “to any political party or secret society whatsoever.”
One fact on Migration into Ireland
1. You Don’t Have to take an Oath that Recognizes the Christian Constitution of the Irish People….All You Have to Do is Just Swear to the Minister of Justice for Naturalisation….because No Devout Anti-Christ Would Ever Do Such a Thing.