and even more first amendment infringement - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

dksuddeth · 06-03-2006, 06:58 AM

On a local level, chicago, so jazz might be familiar with this one.

Judge shuts down 911 failure web site

Quote:

A judge has ordered the shutdown of a Web site reporting on 911 mistakes, arguing that it might be a threat to the security of the city.

The Web site, 911failure.com, was created by an attorney for the Rev. Dwayne Funches and his wife Emily, who lost three children and a godson at a Sept. 24, 2004, fire at their Austin neighborhood home.

The attorney, Daniel Biederman, says he posted the information so all Chicagoans know they are vulnerable in the event of an emergency, from what he calls “deplorable mismanagement and gross understaffing” at the city 911 center.

I've said numerous times that if you have to dial '911', you've already waited too long. Granted, this particular issue happens to be a fire and not a violent crime, but there's more to this story as follows.

Quote:

On Friday, a judge ruled that the Web site be shut down. She sided with city attorneys who had argued that the information on the Web site could be used by terrorist to help them figure out when the city might be vulnerable to an attack.

Doesn't that sound familiar? 'national security', 'city security', it's all the same hue and cry from authorities in trying to hide their failures.

Quote:

The city suspended a 911 operator who hung up on a neighbor who called to report the fire.

On 911 tapes, an operator is heard saying, “I can’t understand one word you’re saying… Oh, and they’re laughing. Yeah, all right, we’re not responding.”

City officials have apologized for the conduct of 911 operators, but have said it did not affect response times in the fire because trucks were already on the way..

How would fire trucks already be on the way if the dispatcher hadn't sent them yet because of their comprehension?

Dial 911 and die

Willravel · 06-03-2006, 07:07 AM

911failure is an active way to uncover a threat to a city. It is not a danger to anyone, and the "Let's do what I say or the terrrorists are going to kill you!!" thing was old 5 years ago. This judge is obviously a frightened little girl who is afraid of his own shadow and who has no busniess being a judge -or- this judge is obviously so corrupt that he's willing to openly support a broken system that should be set up to adequetly help people and has no business being a judge. I have cell phone numbers of several friends who are local firefighters, police officers and ambulence drivers, I suggest others do the same.

I kinda hope this judge calls 911 one day only to be put on hold for 5 hours. Well, not really, but it would be poetic justice ('justice' being something alien to this moron).

samcol · 06-03-2006, 07:56 AM

I don't know what is more insane shutting down the website or citing terrorism as the reason to shut it down.

The_Jazz · 06-03-2006, 10:45 AM

My friend at City Hall says that the judge ruled the way he was told to. This is a BS decision, and even the Tribune is saying so.

One thing I've seen first hand - if you want to have any sort of future in this town that requires any sort of political help, you don't critisize the mayor publicly.

On the flip side, crime is lower than its been in generations, the city looks great and things actually get done. Its a trade off.

dksuddeth · 06-03-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Jazz

On the flip side, crime is lower than its been in generations, the city looks great and things actually get done. Its a trade off.

I did read that there are 5 fewer murders in chicago this year than there was at this time last year. something like 152 so far. averaging 1 a day instead of the 1.5 of last year, but they also said that the reduction in violent deaths was most likely due to medical advances than actual crime going down.

I've been unable to find what the rest of the crime stats are for this year.

KnifeMissile · 06-03-2006, 11:21 AM

I think a link to this thread, Terrorism is the new Eurasia/Eastasia, might be appropriate, here?

Seriously, I don't understand why the novel isn't cited more because it is disturbingly prophetic. Is it even read in US highschools anymore? Or would that produce too much awareness...

If a value as sacred as the First Amendment can be suspended over "the war," you know your civil rights are in trouble! I mean, really, with power like that, it may even cause you to question whether the US government is really all that interested in finding Osama Bin Laden in fear of accidentally declaring an end to the "war on terrorism."

You want to speak of wars! Here's a war for you: The war on liberty!
Fight that war! Win that war! Because, until you do, the terrorists have already won...

Lastly, there are some who'd agree with Benjamin Franklin when he said, "Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserves neither." I wonder, is there anyone who'd disagree? Are you more of a "The bill of rights is not a suicide pact" bunch?

If I may say so, myself, these are some good ideas. I'm tempted to make them their own thread...

06-03-2006, 10:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	My friend at City Hall says that the judge ruled the way he was told to. This is a BS decision, and even the Tribune is saying so. One thing I've seen first hand - if you want to have any sort of future in this town that requires any sort of political help, you don't critisize the mayor publicly. On the flip side, crime is lower than its been in generations, the city looks great and things actually get done. Its a trade off. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

06-03-2006, 07:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	911failure is an active way to uncover a threat to a city. It is not a danger to anyone, and the "Let's do what I say or the terrrorists are going to kill you!!" thing was old 5 years ago. This judge is obviously a frightened little girl who is afraid of his own shadow and who has no busniess being a judge -or- this judge is obviously so corrupt that he's willing to openly support a broken system that should be set up to adequetly help people and has no business being a judge. I have cell phone numbers of several friends who are local firefighters, police officers and ambulence drivers, I suggest others do the same. I kinda hope this judge calls 911 one day only to be put on hold for 5 hours. Well, not really, but it would be poetic justice ('justice' being something alien to this moron).

06-03-2006, 07:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
samcol Junkie Location: Indiana	I don't know what is more insane shutting down the website or citing terrorism as the reason to shut it down.

06-03-2006, 11:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
KnifeMissile Location: Waterloo, Ontario	I think a link to this thread, Terrorism is the new Eurasia/Eastasia, might be appropriate, here? Seriously, I don't understand why the novel isn't cited more because it is disturbingly prophetic. Is it even read in US highschools anymore? Or would that produce too much awareness... If a value as sacred as the First Amendment can be suspended over "the war," you know your civil rights are in trouble! I mean, really, with power like that, it may even cause you to question whether the US government is really all that interested in finding Osama Bin Laden in fear of accidentally declaring an end to the "war on terrorism." You want to speak of wars! Here's a war for you: The war on liberty! Fight that war! Win that war! Because, until you do, the terrorists have already won... Lastly, there are some who'd agree with Benjamin Franklin when he said, "Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserves neither." I wonder, is there anyone who'd disagree? Are you more of a "The bill of rights is not a suicide pact" bunch? If I may say so, myself, these are some good ideas. I'm tempted to make them their own thread...