Daniel Ellsberg Warns of Possible ‘Police State’ in U.S.

[babylonsister]

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/092607a.html

'A Coup Has Occurred'

By Daniel Ellsberg
September 26, 2007 (Text of a speech delivered September 20, 2007)

Editor’s Note: Daniel Ellsberg, the former Defense Department analyst who leaked the secret Pentagon Papers history of the Vietnam War, offered insights into the looming war with Iran and the loss of liberty in the United States at an American University symposium on Sept. 20.

Below is an edited transcript of Ellsberg’s remarkable speech:


I think nothing has higher priority than averting an attack on Iran, which I think will be accompanied by a further change in our way of governing here that in effect will convert us into what I would call a police state.

If there’s another 9/11 under this regime … it means that they switch on full extent all the apparatus of a police state that has been patiently constructed, largely secretly at first but eventually leaked out and known and accepted by the Democratic people in Congress, by the Republicans and so forth.

Will there be anything left for NSA to increase its surveillance of us? … They may be to the limit of their technical capability now, or they may not. But if they’re not now they will be after another 9/11.

And I would say after the Iranian retaliation to an American attack on Iran, you will then see an increased attack on Iran – an escalation – which will be also accompanied by a total suppression of dissent in this country, including detention camps.

It’s a little hard for me to distinguish the two contingencies; they could come together. Another 9/11 or an Iranian attack in which Iran’s reaction against Israel, against our shipping, against our troops in Iraq above all, possibly in this country, will justify the full panoply of measures that have been prepared now, legitimized, and to some extent written into law. …

This is an unusual gang, even for Republicans. (But) I think that the successors to this regime are not likely to roll back the assault on the Constitution. They will take advantage of it, they will exploit it.

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http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/092607a.html

[Tempest]

1. I agree with Ellsberg

If there is an attack on Iran, the outcry in this country would be so great it'll spook the administration into declaring a state of emergency.

It's a sure bet Cheney is already preparing for it.

[superkia]

2. I wish everyone would read this and think before they vote!

This is an unusual gang, even for Republicans. (But) I think that the successors to this regime are not likely to roll back the assault on the Constitution. They will take advantage of it, they will exploit it.


The last line alone tells me that Dennis Kucinich is the best possible candidate for the people. he continues to speak out about the corruption and the attack on our constitution and people continue to ignore his important stance.

Dennis Kucinich stands at the opposite side of the field on many of the important issues!

[snappyturtle]

3. Off to the Greatest! I read this piece by Ellsburg on a website other

than consortiumnews.com and found it very interesting. (It was one of those sites not appreciated here at DU!) Glad you found it so it could be posted. I respect what Ellsburg says. Although, I wish this article wasn't so ominous sounding...but the times are what they are. I'm glad he put this out there for us. I think we should take heed.

[frylock]

4. i don't know about y'all, but i'm preparing for this eventuality..

I never thought I'd be part of the 'black helicopter' crowd, but I don't like what I'm seeing, and am preparing accordingly. I'm not about to allow myself to be "Katrina'd" by the Blackwater goons.