I'm probably just paranoid but...

[MsDoodahs]

Just flicked over to CNN on my usual "RP watch" on the various networks.

There was a police chase of a carjacker in LA this morning.

In reporting it, the red haired bubble head babe said "tragically, one CIVILIAN was killed in the crash."

I instantly thought - they're preparing us already - calling us "civilians" instead of PEOPLE. Why didn't she report one PERSON was killed in the crash? She had already said the carjack suspect is in custody.

I got this chill....

<sigh>

 

[LizF]

Just flicked over to CNN on my usual "RP watch" on the various networks.

There was a police chase of a carjacker in LA this morning.

In reporting it, the red haired bubble head babe said "tragically, one CIVILIAN was killed in the crash."

I instantly thought - they're preparing us already - calling us "civilians" instead of PEOPLE. Why didn't she report one PERSON was killed in the crash? She had already said the carjack suspect is in custody.

I got this chill....

<sigh>

Maybe it was just to make clear that the person killed was neither a police officer nor the criminal. I agree that It is unusual to hear it in a "non-war/non-battlefield" context, but chances are it was just to keep things clear. In another era, reporters would have called them "innocent bystanders", but I suppose that's not considered PC/objective nowadays.

 

[Trance Dance Master]

Did the MSM news scare you? That's their job. Scarier stories mean more viewers who rely on them to supply the rush of fear that they get hooked on.

 

[LibertyBelle]

That is weird, are there so many military people on the roads that you have to use the word 'civilian' to make sure everyone knows it wasn't a military man? Is LA a war zone? I don't like it either. They slowly start creeping in new ways of saying things. Maybe this is just an isolated incident. Let's hope.

 

[mdh]

That is a war/battlefield context. I mean, that's los angeles... lol.

 

[tsoldrin]

Isn't the fleeing criminal a civilian too? Have we come so far that if someone is alleged to have been involved in a crime they're no longer civilians? What are they then, enemy combatants?

 

[Tim724]

It could have just been a peculiar word choice by saying "civilian." However, I see where you coming from with a bit of paranoia about the militarization of cities and towns in the US.

I hate this trend where the feds are giving (or selling at a discount) military "toys" to local police forces. From what I understand, there are usually strings attached so that local law enforcement becomes beholden to the Feds. The Feds love this tactic of giving handouts to localities so that if states or cities resist the federal government's will, they can threaten to cut off the money.

p.s. I think "innocent bystander" is a good term to use...is it really considered uncouth now?

 

[RonPaul4President]

"civilian" versus "police"

...divide and conquer.

 

[LibertyEagle]

That is weird, are there so many military people on the roads that you have to use the word 'civilian' to make sure everyone knows it wasn't a military man? Is LA a war zone? I don't like it either. They slowly start creeping in new ways of saying things. Maybe this is just an isolated incident. Let's hope.

What they now refer to as "civilians", used to be referred to as CITIZENS.

 

[LibertyCzar]

Did the MSM news scare you? That's their job. Scarier stories mean more viewers who rely on them to supply the rush of fear that they get hooked on.

But relax. Just remember that the terrorists want to kill us because of our freedoms.

 

[Noodles]

Everyone should check out theagitator.com

Blogged by Radley Balko, who I think is associated with the Cato Institute, and friendly towards Dr. Paul.

This site deals with the police state that used to be America.

 

[MsDoodahs]

Did the MSM news scare you? That's their job. Scarier stories mean more viewers who rely on them to supply the rush of fear that they get hooked on.

Actually, no - the MSM doesn't scare me. Not in the way you describe, anyway...

 

[torchbearer]

But relax. Just remember that the terrorists want to kill us because of our freedoms.

Yeh, the cops in my area want to kill us for our freedoms too. The U.S. government, i.e. the neocons, hate us for our freedoms.

 

[torchbearer]

bump for our freedoms.

 

[constituent14]

Suddenly the CATO institute has woken up to this fact? Where were they in the 80's and 90's? I know they were around during these last 6 yrs. (for those of us harboring anger since we saw the first days of cameras/cops on every corner -Number the Stars... a great book).

You know it is down the toilet now though if the CATO institute is saying it. We are no longer a police state, we are a military dictatorship. Rather than arguing that fact, we'll argue over the police. Coming from me this is strange... but we really have to start reaching out to our local police departments, let them know that there are people behind those faces they're smashing.