I’ve only seen the teasers for “Homeland Security USA.” That’s probably as much of the show as I will ever watch. I have no interest in glorifying a department of government that I consider an abomination. DHS is a training ground for the downfall of American freedom.
The DHS is a bureaucracy’s bureaucracy: unwieldy, inflexible, absurd, gargantuan. It makes work for roughly 210,000 leeches and will cost us $50.5 billion in 2009 – over $375 per taxpayer (based on 134,362,678 income-tax returns filed in 2005). The monstrous George Bush established this behemoth in 2002 as “the most significant transformation of the U.S. government in over [a] half-century…” Finally: a bit of truth from this utterly mendacious White House.
Strangely, there was more truth when it came to naming the mess: “Homeland” conjures the Nazis and all their brutality. Almost as stunning as Bush’s transparency here is the easy acceptance Americans grant this despicable term. Companies sell gadgets for “homeland security,” colleges offer majors in it, headlines casually twist it into an adjective, television programs swipe it for their title. Perhaps the phrase caught on because it captures the nuances of a ludicrously inept police-state that nevertheless takes itself very seriously. Our Masters may aspire to the Nazis’ ruthless efficiency and omniscient surveillance, but they’re essentially Barney Fife playing Gestapo.
If the end goal is the end of freedom in America, the Department of Homeland Security is an almost perfect tool, or as close to a perfect tool as a national government could ever hope to generate.
However infuriating, “Homeland Security USA” it isn’t breaking new ground. Americans will recognize its format from such kindred obscenity as “COPS”: armed bruisers in cruisers whaling on smaller men, women, and kids; ordering supposedly free people about as if they are slaves; laughing at the suffering of their victims. Why Our Rulers’ documented abuse hasn’t provoked a mass uprising remains among the most baffling and mortifying mysteries of our day. Instead, “COPS” is “long-running” and “critically acclaimed.” “Acclaim” is about what I’d expect from the general run of idiots masquerading as critics; what’s sobering is that over 6 million “viewers” watch Our Masters hammer their fellow serfs into submission. And apparently relish the hammering since they’ve tuned in for “20 seasons and over 700 episodes.” It seems that when the government claims a man has bought or sold an illegal drug, Americans not only devoutly believe that allegation, they also agree that he thereby deserves all the indignities and beatings Leviathan’s legionnaires care to dish out. This is barbarous taste in entertainment, one shared with the ancient Romans. They, too, enjoyed watching the State’s beasts tear “illegal and dangerous” Christians to shreds.
Are you not entertained? Don’t tase me bro! It was one of the most popular memes of 2008. The very fact that we all take for granted that Americans who step out of line, no matter how minor the infraction may be, will be violently silenced, is scary to me. Being tased is not a fun experience. Being abused by the Department of Homeland Security should not be one of the things Americans fear most, but it is.
No one dares to step out of the security line at an airport and complain about how ridiculous the rules are. We take for granted that our shoes all contain bombs and that to even question the efficiency of a government employee should be an offense. We may well be doomed. At least we have a show about our “heroes” to help pass the time from now until the end of America. If you weren’t bothered by the police state in action at our two joke political conventions last year, then Homeland Security USA is a good show for you. If you laughed at the “don’t tase me bro” guy then Homeland Security USA is your thing. If you enjoy being herded and micromanaged and condescended to this show will make you happy.