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Old 07-26-2010, 11:44 AM   #6 (permalink)
The_Dunedan
Junkie
 
Quote:
(a) this is specifically about the development of a new public/private complex of surveillance/"counter-terrorism"/"security" institutions since 9/11/2001. this poses a basic problem from all these references to clinton.
Except that the USA PATRIOT Act was mostly a pistache of Clinton-era "anti-terrorism" policies which were dreamed up in the wake of Oklahoma City, shot down by the Gingrich/Hannibaugh contingent, and then ressurected after 9/11. How do you think they came up with the damned thing so fast? Most of it was already written.

Quote:
(b) this sector is not--i repeat not---a matter of "big government." well it is, but the lines are all blurry, just as the lines are blurry in the context of the rumsfeldian "lean and mean" military with its extensive reliance on private contractors/mercenaries/infrastructure providers/friends of friends to provide what were at once point functionalities that the military itself would have done. now in the name of "shrinking government" we get these public/private complexes which are doubly free from any accountability--first behind the veil of secrecy second behind the veil of private-ness.
Which objections (corruption of Private Property, transparency issues, etc) have been being raised for a long time, especially in regards to "private" military contractors and prison construction/administration firms. Libertarians add the further objection that an allegedly "private" company which takes money (and therefore orders) from the Gov't is no more "private" than any other mercenary. Such situations also further and worsen the market distortions caused by Corporate Personhood. William Grigg has some excellent writings on this particular topic going back to the late 90s; I'll find the link to his older stuff, but check out the Pro Libertate blog for newer materiel.
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