If the IRS scandal wasn’t enough to convince you that bloated, corrupt, bureaucratic government institutions pose a greater threat to our freedoms than any terrorist attack ever could, this story should settle it once and for all. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not only wasteful, power hungry, and entirely unnecessary, it is also rapidly transforming itself into the Vampire Squid of government. In light of the fact that pretty much every terrorist plot the U.S. government has “thwarted” since 9/11 has been either FBI or CIA hatched schemes rooted in entrapment, the DHS has a lot of spare time on its hands to hunt frightening acts of “domestic terrorism.” You know, like fake Gucci bags. This story is beyond unacceptable. From WIVB Channel 4 News:
AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – Federal agents swept through two shopping malls Monday, seizing fake merchandise and shutting down stores.
The Department of Homeland Security spearheaded the investigation that targeted mostly kiosks in the Walden Galleria and Boulevard Mall. Agents hauled bags and boxes out of the Boulevard Mall after stripping three kiosks of their merchandise.
Jim Spero, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Buffalo office of Homeland Security, says the sale of counterfeit goods – in Buffalo and beyond – poses a major security threat.
Oh please. Get over yourself Jim.
“When you purchase counterfeit goods, when you sell counterfeit goods, you don’t know who you’re dealing with. You don’t know what kind of criminal activity you’re supporting,” Spero said. “It’s actually organized crime that is behind the distribution of these goods. It could be terrorists as well.”
9/11 was bad, but the government created “war on terror” and all that has come with it, is far, far worse.
Full article here.
In Liberty,
Mike
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Just like every other department of government, they have to stay in the lime light to prove they are worth the money they are(over) paid.
thumbs up
Counterfeit goods… They have Bernakes address ?
Counterfeit goods do, indeed, represent the greatest crime of all in the New Normal: Diverting profits from corporate campaign contributors.
This has been the “official line” in the UK for over two decades. “Fake goods advancing terrorism” is utter crap.
There is no doubt in my mind that the DHS will morph into the SS of the USSA over time.
A few years ago, several men were purchasing large quantities of cigarettes here in the south and taking them to northern states to resell at a large profit, then funneling the proceeds to the terrorists group they were affiliated with. Therefore, there may be some credence to this policy.
So Johnny, by logical extension, anybody involved in any profit making trade whatsoever is a potential terrorist.
There is a well established connection between counterfeit goods and terrorism. As I studied white-collar crime in undergrad and grad school, the fact that stuck with me the most is that a HUGE portion (over $1 million) of 9/11 was funded by profits made on Canal street in NYC from solely the sale of counterfeit goods. So please, rid the ignorance of the government. I have my own critiques about them as well, but you should really do your research before discrediting theirs. If you don’t want them wasting their time and money on the investigation and seizure of counterfeit goods, you are allowing for future terrorist attacks such as 9/11 and are a disgrace to this country.