Friday, January 25, 2019

How about some pre-dawn raids to round up illegal aliens?

I've been dismayed for a long time by the tendency of law enforcement agencies to show up at the homes of non-violent suspects to make arrests dressed up like Stargate troopers or something. I don't know much about Roger Stone, and maybe he ultimately will be proved guilty as charged (and maybe even is guilty of one or more crimes - not quite the same thing); however, were a dozen or more FBI agents decked out in full S.W.A.T. gear really necessary to take the guy into custody? And how is it that CNN, apparently alone among news outlets, knew exactly when and where this event was to happen?

12 comments:

Steve Skubinna said...

And then... they released Public Enemy Number One on his own recognizances.

bruce said...

Disgusting.

rinardman said...

It's all about the narrative...and the optics of any actions supporting the narrative.

bruce said...

It's a scary narrative, white-anting the Presidency. They've gone from intimidating GOP supporters under Obama to intimidating the elected President. I don't see a way out of this. I hope I'm wrong. A generation ago the President would have had these underlings shaking in their boots.

Now we wonder where real power rests, I mean things seem in flux, 'Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer; / Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; / Mere anarchy is loosed...'

RebeccaH said...

Sometimes I feel like we really are descending into a police state.

Deborah said...

Thanks for expanding my vocabulary, Bruce. Never heard the term before. Is the term "white-anting" considered racist? What about the non-Whites who undermine foundations?

Deborah said...

Funny isn't it. I wonder what they thought was there. Guess they believed he must be armed to the teeth, and ready to go out in a blaze of glory. What was the cost of that dress-up party.

bruce said...

Ok Deb.
We do use the term in politics. Sorry I forgot it's one of our quirks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_anting

Same as termites. When you can't destroy someone at once you 'white ant' them, undermine them in every possible underhanded way.

I guess the words are too controversial in the US, but youngsters here are getting so much from social media they'll probably stop us using it as well eventually. It helps them feel superior.

bruce said...

Australian termites, some are pure white (grey):
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-04/not-all-termites-are-bad-according-to-science-teacher/7566646

'Caucasian' termites? I'm getting too old for these word games.

Jonah said...

Roger Stone, "You'll never take me alive coppers!"

Mueller, "The jigs up Stone, you don't have a chance!"

Stone, "I'll get ya, see? You ratfink you!"

Mueller, "Allright boys, quiet on the set! Ready...ACTION!"

Deborah said...

It wasn't a problem, my friend. I'm always happy to learn Aussie "quirks". It's a term that I'd never heard. My hubby told me what it is. He's more up on such things.

As for the questions, it was an attempt to be funny by poking at US sensibilities. Unfortunately, their tendencies are viral, and lead to the destruction of "quirks". Keep OZ, OZ!

bruce said...

Thanks Deb, yes I agree.

Yes Jonah, its like they'd have to have Edward G Robinson play Stone in the movie.