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Why is there so little discussion on the history of anti-terrorism statutes in the USA as they're being brought against Luigi Mangione? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Everyone seems shocked at this. I personally felt a lot less shocked and more like I'd been waiting for this shoe to drop for 20 years. I've been waiting for people to notice the tools of the Iraq War being turned against American citizens for over a decade now.

I spent the better part of 2001 and on arguing against the PATRIOT Act and its codification of terrorism as a crime. Lots of people were against it (we were in the minority, obviously), pointing out how the PATRIOT Act would consider the Founding Fathers terrorists. They committed violence to achieve political ends.

Did everyone just forget that at one point there was actually a nascent conversation on why this was a bad idea, especially considering people warning that they would soon use these laws against their own citizens?

Why did these conversations stop? More importantly, now that Mangione is being charged with terrorism, why aren't the conversations beginning anew?

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[–] makeshiftreaper@lemmy.world 53 points 5 days ago (1 children)

did everyone just forget

Yes. The American populace has very low political IQ, a short memory, and is very emotional. 2001 was 23 years ago, entire people were conceived, raised, and voted in that time. You have to understand that the majority of control of this country is decided on whims, opinions, and gas prices

Why aren't the conversations beginning anew?

America doesn't know how to discuss politics. We understand sports and can talk about politics as if they were sports, but we won't learn a lesson until there are opposing troops on our doorstep (and honestly, I don't think we will then)

[–] SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml 11 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Not only America at this point

[–] makeshiftreaper@lemmy.world 12 points 4 days ago

Well as an American, I only feel comfortable discussing our problems. I fully believe other countries have their share of idiots