Anybody else get the impression that the Feds are trying to manipulate public opinion in favor of the GOP? Take Gustav for instance: it's a category 3 hurricane, and they're playing it up like a 5. Even CNN is listing the wind speeds in kilometers-per-hour instead of the usual MPH.
Then of course, there is the effort to shut down protesters and independent journalists attending the GOP convention -- and not a breath about it from any of the main news outlets. And here's the scary part, the FBI is involved in these raids. This is an effort to squelch political dissidence from the top.
Of course we can't forget about what's happening in Georgia -- US instigated & US financed -- with such perfect timing to give 100-year-war McCain a war-sympathy advantage. (An interesting note here: Since the US is so big on freeing oppressed people, Russia would be the hero here.)
And back to the hurricane: if it turns out worse than it looks right now, that's just a good thing for Uncle Sam, but if it turns out to be nothing really, they can pull the excuse, "Remember Katrina! We're just being careful." The BIGGEST evacuation in US history!? My foot! Why? It's think to warn folks, but quite another to force them to leave their homes unprotected.
Notice how the MSM has been spewing praise for how FEMA is applying lessons learned from Katrina. The real lesson that should be learned is that government is like a broken staff -- lean on it and get your side pierced.
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Alright, so maybe there's nothing we can do about this -- and yes, I agree it's easier to assume the best of our police state -- but does it really help me to shut my eyes and pretend I'm in heaven? Look out! This world (and this country) is no friendly place. Speak out against the abuse; and where you can help the oppressed, but don't even think about doing it through support of Washington. If I have a personal responsibility to aid a suffering brother or sister, then I have personal responsibility and it cannot be passed off – especially not to a power wielding Big Brother.
If Gustav does turn out to be quite bad, any volunteers to go help folks out? (Of course the police and national guard will probably try to stop us.)