BrainGlutton
12-29-2004, 03:42 PM
I was doing some research on think-tanks in the Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_economics_consultancies_and_think_tanks, and I happened across a page about a new one called the "Coalition for a New American Society" -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_for_a_New_American_Society:
Philosophy and objectives
According to papers released by the organization, Americans have a dogmatic adherence to a flawed reading of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was never meant to make it impossible for the government to combat anti-Americanism and subversion. Indeed, these threats to American society have grown to such a degree that they are in danger of overwhelming all of American society, and drastic action is needed.
Adherence to such principles as substantive and procedural due process and court-approved search and seizure have hamstrung the efforts of the government to keep Americans safe. Society needs broad new controls to prevent the outflow of dangerous ideas and information from splinter subversive groups that will inevitably emerge in large societies.
CNAS believes that there is a consensus in American society that these elements have to be dealt with strictly, foremost for the protection of minors. However, most Americans will not support substantive action with their current state of thought, and this needs to be remedied.
Action proposed
CNAS has gradually proposed a tightening of restrictions on the rights of criminals and an expansion of police powers without judicial interference in dangerous cases. It is essential that these new powers are afforded to the fight against elements that there will be broad support for applying them against.
Gradually, the police should be granted the authority to casually investigate individuals with no suspicion. Of course, no substantive action would be taken agaisnt them, because they have done nothing wrong, but this fair treatment will accustom them to expanded police authority.
This will gradually affect the mindset of the American people to make them more receptive to increased police and government authority. In turn, they will then support strict action against the elements that would harm all of American society if left unchecked.
:eek:
Now, this organization purportedly was founded in 2000 -- well before the 9/11 attacks. And their program is stuff nobody, but nobody, says out loud in American politics. This stuff is shockingly authoritarian even by John Ashcroft's standards. I immediately wished to know more -- who are these people? Where do they come from? Who funds their think-tank? Who uses their services? Do they have any influence with anyone in government? What kind of "subversive" or "anti-American" threats are they mainly concerned with? Islamic terrorists? American right-wing terrorists like Timothy McVeigh and the militia groups? American left-wing . . . well, there haven't been any left-wing "terrorists" in this country since the Weather Underground and the SLA, but maybe these people regard even the Greens or the Democratic Socialists of America or, for all I know, Howard Dean as dangerous to society. From the article, there's no way to tell.
But I can't seem to find out more. Unlike practically every other think-tank listed, the article on this one does not provide a link to their website, nor does it name any of their officers, members or employees, nor does it provide any contact information, not even in what city the organization is based. I tried a couple of different search engines and could find nothing about CNAS on the Internet. Does this organization actually exist, or is this an elaborate woosh that none of the Wikipedia editors have caught yet?
Philosophy and objectives
According to papers released by the organization, Americans have a dogmatic adherence to a flawed reading of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was never meant to make it impossible for the government to combat anti-Americanism and subversion. Indeed, these threats to American society have grown to such a degree that they are in danger of overwhelming all of American society, and drastic action is needed.
Adherence to such principles as substantive and procedural due process and court-approved search and seizure have hamstrung the efforts of the government to keep Americans safe. Society needs broad new controls to prevent the outflow of dangerous ideas and information from splinter subversive groups that will inevitably emerge in large societies.
CNAS believes that there is a consensus in American society that these elements have to be dealt with strictly, foremost for the protection of minors. However, most Americans will not support substantive action with their current state of thought, and this needs to be remedied.
Action proposed
CNAS has gradually proposed a tightening of restrictions on the rights of criminals and an expansion of police powers without judicial interference in dangerous cases. It is essential that these new powers are afforded to the fight against elements that there will be broad support for applying them against.
Gradually, the police should be granted the authority to casually investigate individuals with no suspicion. Of course, no substantive action would be taken agaisnt them, because they have done nothing wrong, but this fair treatment will accustom them to expanded police authority.
This will gradually affect the mindset of the American people to make them more receptive to increased police and government authority. In turn, they will then support strict action against the elements that would harm all of American society if left unchecked.
:eek:
Now, this organization purportedly was founded in 2000 -- well before the 9/11 attacks. And their program is stuff nobody, but nobody, says out loud in American politics. This stuff is shockingly authoritarian even by John Ashcroft's standards. I immediately wished to know more -- who are these people? Where do they come from? Who funds their think-tank? Who uses their services? Do they have any influence with anyone in government? What kind of "subversive" or "anti-American" threats are they mainly concerned with? Islamic terrorists? American right-wing terrorists like Timothy McVeigh and the militia groups? American left-wing . . . well, there haven't been any left-wing "terrorists" in this country since the Weather Underground and the SLA, but maybe these people regard even the Greens or the Democratic Socialists of America or, for all I know, Howard Dean as dangerous to society. From the article, there's no way to tell.
But I can't seem to find out more. Unlike practically every other think-tank listed, the article on this one does not provide a link to their website, nor does it name any of their officers, members or employees, nor does it provide any contact information, not even in what city the organization is based. I tried a couple of different search engines and could find nothing about CNAS on the Internet. Does this organization actually exist, or is this an elaborate woosh that none of the Wikipedia editors have caught yet?