Over 20,000 NYC Public School Students Receive Anti-Hate Training Through AJCF's "Decode Hate" Program By www.ajcfus.org Jul 29, 2026 As Online Harassment And Digital Radicalization Increasingly Shape How Young People Experience Hate, The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), In Partnership With The New York City Council, Reached More Than 20,000 New York City Public School Students This Academic Year Through Its “Decode Hate” Program, A Program That Gives Middle And High School Students The Tools To Recognize, Navigate And Confront Antisemitism And All Forms Of Hate, Online And In Their Communities. Since September, dozens of specially trained facilitators have worked directly with teachers and visited classrooms across New York City, building students’ online critical thinking skills. The program includes advance and follow-up modules led by teachers, paired with workshops led by AJCF facilitators, teaches students to identify online harassment, understand, recognize and avoid manipulation and misinformation, and understand their individual social responsibility in practicing responsible online citizenship. In the classroom workshops, students participate in discussion-based activities, scenario exercises and sessions that build practical skills for navigating digital spaces, including how to identify manipulation tactics, report harassment, and intervene when they see peers targeted online. Students completed the program with greater awareness of online harassment and peer bias, a deeper understanding of bigotry and antisemitism, and practical strategies to respond when they encounter hate, on and offline. AJCF’s facilitators report that students are leaving the classroom prepared to speak up rather than stay silent. “This is how you defeat hate, not with slogans, but by giving every student the digital literacy and judgment to recognize manipulation the moment they encounter it online,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony. “We’re preparing a generation that recognizes hate and refuses to stay silent.” “‘Decode Hate’ is more than a program, it’s a movement to ensure that our young people are equipped to navigate the digital world they actually live in,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Chairman Simon Bergson. “By teaching students to think critically online as clearly as they would in person, we are building a generation committed to justice, empathy and moral courage.” “Seeing tens of thousands of students build these skills and then carry that awareness directly into their online communities is inspiring,” added Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Executive Vice President Michael Cohen. “Education becomes powerful when it gives students the tools to act against hate wherever they encounter it, including in the spaces where they spend most of their time.” Critically, students also learn at a young age about the permanence and impact of their own digital footprint and how their personal engagement in online hate can have long-lasting consequences to their futures. The initiative reflects AJCF’s broader commitment to ensuring that New York City’s public schools are not only safe spaces but places where students build the digital judgment to navigate everyday life online. The program’s impact has already led to meaningful conversations with school districts and legislators interested in bringing the model to communities beyond New York City. The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), headquartered in New York City, is dedicated to harnessing the lessons of the Holocaust to combat antisemitism, hatred, and bigotry while building a better future. In addition to its educational and leadership programs in New York, including Decode Hate, developed in partnership with the New York City Council and New York City Public Schools, as well as the American Service Academies Program and the RISE Leadership Program, AJCF maintains the Auschwitz Jewish Center in Oswiecim, Poland, including the city’s last remaining synagogue, a museum and educational center, and other preserved Jewish properties that serve as living reminders of a once-thriving Jewish community. Through its work with students, educators, civic leaders, clergy and law enforcement, AJCF equips current and future leaders with the tools to recognize and confront antisemitism, extremism, and hate in all its forms. For more information, visit: www.ajcfus.org . The “Decode Hate” program gives middle and high school students the tools to recognize, navigate and confront antisemitism and all forms of hate, online and in their communities. The “Decode Hate” program gives middle and high school students the tools to recognize, navigate and confront antisemitism and all forms of hate, online and in their communities. Previous Next

Critical Race Theory By Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, M.D. July 15, 2021 Share Just as Karl Marx interpreted all of human history as a fight between the “proletariat” (oppressed) and the “capitalists” (oppressors) using a method I can only call “Illogical Abstractionism,” so also do the “critical race theorists,” who use a rigid abstraction to divide all of mankind into one of two groups. Karl Marx had no understanding of history or the time course, in human affairs. He never set foot in the situations he wrote about with such certainty. Stupid. The “revolt of the proletariat” never happened, because the people whose strengths did not include invention of machinery, or founding of factories, (the proletariat) became much more comfortable and wealthier as a result of the existence and work of those whose strengths did include those things (the capitalists). The capitalists provided useful work and it was an enormous benefit to the workers (proletariat). Could humanity have managed without refrigerators and automobiles? We did so for millennia. Do you want to return to a world without refrigeration or the other comforts brought to us, thanks to capitalism? To take abstract theories and apply them with deadly force to human beings, does not appear to me to be a viable formula for happiness or for unchaining anybody from any kind of oppression. In fact, we have history as our guide in judging the result of the abstract theories of Marxism, as it was imposed in the Soviet Union. In all places where Marxism, Communism, Nazism, Fascism and Socialism have been imposed, the major result is not tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, but millions of corpses. Where less force has been used, the most benign result of these economic and political systems, has been economic stagnation and the blighting of human lives. At least a few people do well. Not necessarily, the people who are so eaten up with the abstract theories that have decided, that they must be imposed on everyone, but, those who survive the brutal political power struggle—like Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro and the Kims, in North Korea. They live in luxury while people starve and suffer all around them. Marxists like Patrisse Cullors, the “Black Lives Matter” queen, may hope to remain on top, but, should remember that the revolution devours its children. Perhaps a “trained Marxist” knows the story of Lavrentiy Beria, the chief of Stalin’s secret police. He bragged “Show me the man and I'll show you the crime.” That seems to be very like the mantra of the “Critical Race Theorists.” Several months after Stalin’s death, this slave labor camp supervisor and torturer was summarily executed by his rivals. Critical Race Theory’s view of the oppressor (whites) and oppressed (people of color) classes quickly leads to logical contradictions. Where is Barack Obama? He is half “white” on his mother’s side and half “black” on his father’s side, whether his father was the elder Obama or Frank Marshall Davis. So, is half of Barack Obama oppressing the other half? Sounds schizoid, but of course, that’s why we have psychiatrists. The question also arises, which half is which? Does the left half oppress the right? The right side of the brain is not exactly the same as the left half, so, right away we run into a problem. Same with the front side fighting the back. There are no eyes in the back of the head, so, they are not exactly equal halves. I suppose maybe each cell could line up its mitochondria, and uncurl its chromosomes and divide each, into half. Obviously crazy, but crazier than dividing society by skin tone? Psychiatry has not made much progress in treating sociopaths and psychopaths. Perhaps that is because those are moral diseases, not mental ones. More conundrums: Are Arabs people “of color” They enslaved “black” Africans for centuries. In fact, they bought “black” people as slaves from other “black” people in Africa and sold them to British slave-traders, or took them east to their lands, where they were enslaved. Arabs also enslaved “white” people. Do those “white” people somehow become “black” because they were oppressed? Do “black” people who enslaved other “black” people get transmogrified into “white” people? Perhaps an easier solution would be for all oppressed people to identify as oppressed victims. It works for gender, so why not for race? As we see, human beings and productive enterprises are not all that Critical Race Theories, Communism, Nazism, Fascism and Socialism kill. They also kill reason and logic, love and hope, the faith in Jesus Christ, whose teachings led William Wilberforce to get rid of the slave trade in the British Empire, think about it! About Dr. Tamzin Rosenwasser Dr. Tamzin Rosenwasser earned her MD from Washington University in St. Louis after putting herself through medical school. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and also Dermatology, has practiced Emergency Medicine as well. Dr. Rosenwasser served as President of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) in 2007 and 2008. Dr. Rosenwasser has written numerous articles, opinion editorials and has been a guest on many, media broadcasted shows. She is currently writing a book on medical practice. She also serves as a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Newfoundland Club of America. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Association of the American Physicians and Surgeons. As a life-long dog lover and trainer, she realizes that her dogs have better access to medical care and more medical privacy than she has and her veterinarians are paid more than physicians in the United States for exactly the same types of surgery. For interview requests only, she can be reached directly at: (941) 492-6996. Or, will get your requests to her by e-mailing her at: angelpublicity@aol.com . < Previous News Next News >

Promises Made Promises Kept: The State of Hallandale Beach - Part IV Thu Jun 06 2024 16:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

We The Targeted: How The Government Weaponizes Surveillance To Silence Its Critics Thu Sep 07 2023 16:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

5 Bad Money Habits Hurting Your Financial Future By BPT October 18, 2023 Share There's a good chance you may have a habit or two when it comes to money that is not doing your financial future any favors. The good news is you're not alone, and there are ways to break those habits and create better financial health for you and/or your family. According to a recent survey from OnePoll and National Debt Relief, LLC, over 60% of people in the U.S. claim to make poor decisions when it comes to money and 42% of people admit to having current financial struggles. That may be in part because most people either have information that they aren't using in their day-to-day lives, or like over 20% of respondents, they need more information to help them learn better habits. Natalia Brown, Chief Client Operations Officer from National Debt Relief, has broken down the top 5 most common bad money habits and offered actionable tips on how to avoid these pitfalls. 1. Writing Off Small Purchases As Insignificant While spending money on things like takeout or app subscriptions may seem minor, these purchases add up over time. Your coffee may only cost $4.99, but as a daily habit, it can become costly. If you add up these seemingly insignificant costs over a month or two you'll get a clear picture of how much you're spending. Additionally, while BOGO promotions may be appealing, if you don't need the second item, don't spend the extra money. 2. Gambling While you may not be a high-stakes poker player or spend hours at casinos, a regular lottery ticket habit can mean you're throwing away your hard-earned money. Instead, try saving any money you might put into gambling and investing it into a higher interest savings account, which will add up quicker than you expect, especially if you keep adding to it. 3. Using Credit Cards To Pay Bills Paying bills with a credit card can work well if you're paying your balance off in full each month. But, if you're not paying your balance off in full each month, you may want to reconsider. The interest you'll end up paying on the card will make your bills much more expensive. For example, if your credit card interest rate is around 20% and you have a $5,000 balance, it could take you around 11 years to pay this off with minimum payments. Plus, your total payments will end up being around $8,417. To avoid getting into this situation, try listing out your regular expenses, categorizing which ones are absolute necessities (like rent, utilities and food) and which are not (like entertainment and eating out). Then total your must-pay bills and compare that amount to what you're earning and cut anything that's not a necessity that you've been relying on credit cards to keep up with. 4. Taking Out Payday Loans Beware of payday loans. These short-term loans often have high interest rates and may cost you a lot of money. Other options you can consider before taking out a payday loan may be finding ways to earn extra income like driving for a ride sharing company or getting some part-time work, or saving money through strict budgeting and getting rid of those non-essentials (see above for more on that). 5. Spending More Than You Earn Start by listing out all your expenses and your income. This can help you get a better picture of where, and how much, you need to cut down. Minimize unnecessary expenses and look for creative ways to boost your income. People are always looking for help with tasks like cleaning, organizing or creative work. If you have any special talents, see if you can monetize any of them. "Managing money can be tough, and we all make mistakes," said Brown. "There's a lot of guilt and shame associated with being in debt or having money struggles. It's important to know that you're not alone and there are steps you can take to create a better financial future for yourself or your family. At National Debt Relief, we understand the importance of not just helping people with their immediate debt situations, but also giving them the tools, skills and guidance they need to feel more confident and in control of their finances." Need to break bad financial habits? National Debt Relief can help you resolve your debt more quickly and for less money than you owe. Their team will also help you learn skills like budgeting, how to save money, and how to live within your means so you can improve your financial health and feel confident about your future. If you're ready to fix your bad money habits and create long-term financial security, visit: www.NationalDebtRelief.com - Or call: 800-674-0907. < Previous News Next News >

New Summer Judaic Course for Retired Women: FREE and No Travel Necessary Mon Jun 13 2022 04:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Fire Rescue to Unveil Lifesaving Equipment from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Thu Jul 28 2022 04:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Is A Second Home The Same As An Investment Property? Thu Jul 06 2023 16:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hot In The City 2025 - Piegari Ristorante Unveils Fresh Summer Delights South Florida Sun Times Jul 23, 2025 A Miami Fine Dining Favorite Is Celebrating Summer 2025 With An Array Of New Offerings And A Streamlined, Casual New Neighborhood Vibe. Piegari Ristorante, The Celebrated Italian-Argentinian Restaurant In The Heart Of Wynwood, Is Reintroducing Itself To The Magic City With Vibrant New Menu Offerings, A Reimagined Guest Experience, Flavorful New Mocktails, And Nightly Happy Hour Offerings. Ensuring The Utmost In Hospitality, Guests Will Receive A Complimentary Welcome Drink – A Refreshing Blend Of Vodka, Grapefruit, Orange, Fresh Lemon, And A Hint Of Mint. Pours before plates, if you please. Available nightly from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., imbibers will find the new Happy Hour featuring 50% off all signature cocktails. This includes the restaurant’s most popular cocktails, which can be enjoyed at the bar or table: the Belladonna (Una Vodka, raspberry-sage infused syrup, and lemon juice); the Golden Wolf (Lobos 1707 Mezcal infused with Jalapeño, Lobos 1707 Joven Tequila, and pineapple juice) and the Mediterranean Breeze (Gin Mare, cucumber and mint infused Ketel One, and lime juice syrup). For those seeking great tastes without the buzz, Piegari now offers zero-proof versions of the above as well. Now, onto the plates. Before sampling from the generous new summer specials, a guest at Piegari would do best to begin their journey with one of the brand’s signature favorites. They include but are not limited to fresh and creamy Burrata, served with prosciutto di Parma, ripe tomato, and peppery arugula; Polpo alla Griglia – grilled octopus with Campari tomatoes, black olives and potatoes; Scampi alla Piegari – shrimp tossed with olive oil and garlic; its world-renowned Corde di Chitarra alla Carrettiera – guitar string pasta tossed with a light tomato sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes and black olives; its equally famous Ravioli alla Piegari – spinach and ricotta ravioli delivered to the table in a cast iron pan, baked in a sinfully delicious creamy tomato sauce, topped with Parmigiano, and Milanese alla Napoletana – breaded and fried filet mignon served with fresh tomato sauce, ham, imported cheese and a side of corde de chitarra pasta tossed with butter. Piegari’s Summer 2025 Specials Carpaccio Di Pesce – Made with Fresh Seasonal Fish, Frisée, and Fresh Orange Veal Milanese – Pounded Breaded Veal Chop served with Arugula and Cherry Tomatoes Scaloppine Al Limone – Veal pounded with Lemon, with White Wine and Caper Sauce, served with Garlic Spinach Risotto Milanese Al Frutti Di Mare – Zafron Risotto with Seafood Fettuccine Al Nero Di Seppia – Squid Ink Fettuccine with Baby Shrimp Tossed in a Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce, and Red Caviar Salmon Alla Griglia – Grilled Salmon served with Spinach Alla Romana Sweets at Piegari deliver, but none more than its ever-changing Gelato Del Giorno – a different flavor every day of the most luscious gelato made-to-order. Additional indulgences include Crepés al Dulce De Leche o Nutella, a warm crepe with dulce de leche or nutella served with fresh whipped cream, berries, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream; Tiramisu and Flan with cream and dulce de leche. “We’re still the same Piegari so many have grown to love, but we’ve made some small yet meaningful changes – new flavor-driven mocktails, more personalized service, and thoughtful touches – to ensure every visit feels unforgettable,” says Ruben Navarrete, General Manager. In sync with a more casual summer aesthetic, Piegari is kicking off its shoes, metaphorically speaking. Gone are the starched white table linens and the brigade of white-jacketed front-of-house staff. Guests will now encounter a still sophisticated and chic space, dressed down a bit with simple sand-colored place mats and chic black slacks and white dress shirts. The 160-seat restaurant is a mix of cozy booths, banquettes made for lounging, and front-row tables near the open kitchen, which features a glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled fresh pasta station. Piegari also has a beautiful private dining room, perfect for a curtained-off seated dinner party or a cocktail soiree. Piegari Ristorante Miami is located at 137 Northwest 26th Street, Miami, Florida 33127 in the Wynwood Arts District. The restaurant will offer dinner only throughout the summer, Tuesday through Sunday from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. For more information and to stay updated on restaurant news, follow Piegari on Instagram at: @piegariusa. Previous Next

Festive Fun for St. Patrick's Day Thu Mar 17 2022 04:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Non-Typical Smoke Shop PROFILES May 2021 May 15, 2021 Share Inside, you’ll find an extensive assortment of merchandise ranging well beyond the offerings of a typical smoke shop. “Smokes Unlimited” proclaims the sign above the front door of a shop on the southeast corner of North Federal Highway and Pembroke Road/Moffett Street in Hallandale Beach. Inside, you’ll find an extensive assortment of merchandise ranging well beyond the offerings of a typical smoke shop. Looking for incense? Smokes Unlimited has it. Some two dozen different fragrances are available. “Just light a stick and let its aroma dissipate cooking odors and freshen the air,” says the shop’s co-owner, Shafiul Azam. Incense also may be used for aromatherapy and meditation, and as an insect repellent. Another unusual item on sale at Smokes Unlimited is kratom, made from the broad, dark-green leaves of a tropical tree, Mitragyna speciosa. A member of the coffee family, it grows in Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and elsewhere in southeast Asia, and has a long history of traditional use in parts of that region to manage pain and opioid withdrawal and to counteract fatigue. In small amounts, kratom produces an increase in alertness, energy, and sociability. In larger amounts, its effects include a decrease in pain, an increase in pleasure, and a sedative effect. Despite its mind-altering psychotropic effects and a tendency to be habit-forming, kratom is not illegal. You can buy it in leaf form for brewing tea, as a powder, in capsules, and as an extract or gum. Smokes Unlimited also sells more typical smoke-store products such as: • Disposable e-cigarettes – known by the names fume, HQD, Vcan, and many others -- containing “juice” for 1,000 to 4,500 puffs. • Reusable e-cigarettes and the juices to refill them. • Commercially made tobacco cigarettes. • Premium papers for hand-rolling one’s own cigarettes. • Handmade cigars with tobaccos from multiple locations around the globe, including Connecticut, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. • Hookahs (water pipes), a type of smoking system that originated in India, spread throughout Persia and the Arabic world, and today is increasing in popularity in America. • The special shisha tobacco preparations to smoke in the hookahs, containing flavored tobacco or some tobacco-free herbal mixture with a molasses base, plus charcoal to create the combustion. • Lighter fluids and lighters, including butane torches. Cannabis Products Other featured items at Smokes Unlimited include products from legal strains of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, that don’t produce a “high” and don’t require a doctor’s prescription. These items contain cannabidiol (CBD) or Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol. “They come as pre-rolled cigarettes, gummies, and tinctures – oils you put under your tongue,” Azam explains. “You use them for relaxation, sleep, and pain relief. They’re available in doses ranging from 1,000 mg to 2,500 mg.” Just so you know, Delta-8 is a very close relative of Delta-9-Tetrahydro-cannabinol, a hemp strain popularly known as marijuana. Delta-8 is legal in most places, including Florida, and some consumers prefer Delta-8, alleging that it’s more effective than CBD. In Florida, Delta-9 is legal only for medical purposes and requires users to register with the state and to obtain a recommendation from a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy who has been certified by the state as a marijuana physician. Smokes Unlimited is not a medical marijuana dispensary and does not sell Delta-9. A Work in Progress Azam came to the U.S. from Bangladesh 11 years ago. Before emigrating, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Internation-al Islamic University Chittigong, the largest top-graded government-approved private university in Bangladesh. Upon arrival in the U.S., he spent almost five years working in a grocery store before beginning a commercial collaboration with a fellow Bangladeshi business partner, Sajib Choudhury. Today – in addition to the Hallandale Beach Smokes Unlimited – Azam and Choudhury own other smoke shops in Dania Beach and Hollywood, and convenience stores in Delray Beach and Pompano Beach. Three years ago Azam attended a business expo in Miami and learned from a business broker about the availability of Midway Food Store, a 2,100-sq-ft convenience store in a strategic high-traffic location just south of the boundary between Hollywood and Hallandale Beach. The partners bought it and spent a year operating it. Then they began rebranding it as Smokes Unlimited and adapting it to their own business model. “We’re changing the business little by little,” Azam says. Gone now are Midway Food Store’s canned goods, groceries, and limited fast-food menu. Merchandise remaining from its previous convenience-store existence includes a diverse inventory of beverages (beer, wine, flavored vodkas, mixers, energy drinks, sodas, and fruit juices) in a row of coolers lining the entire back wall of the store, and a modest selection of packaged pastries, bags of salty snacks, candies, over-the-counter pain relievers, baseball caps, boxes of feminine hygiene products, and plastic packages of underwear. The new sign above the front entrance mentions a lounge, although that hasn’t happened yet. “Because of COVID-19 we couldn’t get a lounge permit now, but we went ahead and put it on the sign anyway,” Azam explains. For more information, visit: Smokes Unlimited 1050 N. Federal Hwy. Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 Phone: 305-767-8139 Hours: 6 AM to 2 AM daily < Previous News Next News >

Weaponizing the Bureaucracy: Who Will Protect Us from the Government’s Standing Army? By John & Nisha Whitehead August 25, 2022 Share “A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty.” —James Madison. The IRS has stockpiled 4,500 guns and five million rounds of ammunition in recent years, including 621 shotguns, 539 long-barrel rifles and 15 submachine guns. The Veterans Administration (VA) purchased 11 million rounds of ammunition (equivalent to 2,800 rounds for each of their officers), along with camouflage uniforms, riot helmets and shields, specialized image enhancement devices and tactical lighting. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) acquired 4 million rounds of ammunition, in addition to 1,300 guns, including five submachine guns and 189 automatic firearms for its Office of Inspector General. According to an in-depth report on “The Militarization of the U.S. Executive Agencies,” the Social Security Administration secured 800,000 rounds of ammunition for their special agents, as well as armor and guns. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) owns 600 guns and the Smithsonian now employs 620-armed “special agents.” This is how it begins. We have what the founders feared most: a “standing” or permanent army on American soil. This de facto standing army is made up of weaponized, militarized, civilian forces which look like, dress like and act like the military; are armed with guns, ammunition and military-style equipment; are authorized to make arrests and are trained in military tactics. Mind you, this de facto standing army of bureaucratic, administrative, non-military, paper-pushing, non-traditional law enforcement agencies may look and act like the military, but they are not the military. Rather, they are foot soldiers of the police state’s standing army and they are growing in number at an alarming rate. According to the Wall Street Journal, the number of federal agents armed with guns, ammunition and military-style equipment, authorized to make arrests and trained in military tactics has nearly tripled over the past several decades. There are now more bureaucratic (non-military) government agents armed with weapons than U.S. Marines. As Adam Andrzejewski writes for Forbes, “The Federal Government has become one never-ending gun show.” While Americans have to jump through an increasing number of hoops in order to own a gun, federal agencies have been placing orders for hundreds of millions of rounds of hollow point bullets and military gear. Among the agencies being supplied with night-vision equipment, body armor, hollow-point bullets, shotguns, drones, assault rifles and LP gas cannons are the Smithsonian, U.S. Mint, Health and Human Services, IRS, FDA, Small Business Administration, Social Security Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Education Department, Energy Department, Bureau of Engraving and Printing and an assortment of public universities. Add in the Biden Administration’s plans to grow the nation’s police forces by 100,000 more cops and swell the ranks of the IRS by 87,000 new employees (some of whom will have arrest-and-firearm authority) and you’ve got a nation in the throes of martial law. The militarization of America’s police forces in recent decades has merely sped up the timeline by which the nation is transformed into an authoritarian regime. What began with the militarization of the police in the 1980s during the government’s war on drugs has snowballed into a full-fledged integration of military weaponry, technology and tactics into police protocol. To our detriment, local police—clad in jackboots, helmets and shields, wielding batons, pepper-spray, stun guns and assault rifles—have increasingly come to resemble occupying forces in our communities. This standing army has been imposed on the American people in clear violation of the spirit—if not the letter of the law—of the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the government’s ability to use the U.S. Military as a police force. Unfortunately, the increasing militarization of the police, the use of sophisticated weaponry against Americans and the government's increasing tendency to employ military personnel domestically have all but eviscerated historic prohibitions such as the Posse Comitatus Act. The menace of a national police force—a.k.a. a standing army—vested with the power to completely disregard the Constitution, cannot be overstated, nor can its danger be ignored. Historically, the establishment of a national police force accelerates a nation’s transformation into a police state, serving as the fundamental and final building block for every totalitarian regime that has ever wreaked havoc on humanity. Then again, for all intents and perhaps, the American police state is already governed by martial law: Battlefield tactics. Militarized police. Riot and camouflage gear. Armored vehicles. Mass arrests. Pepper spray. Tear gas. Batons. Strip searches. Drones. Less-than-lethal weapons unleashed with deadly force. Rubber bullets. Water cannons. Concussion grenades. Intimidation tactics. Brute force. Laws conveniently discarded when it suits the government’s purpose. This is what martial law looks like, when a government disregards constitutional freedoms and imposes its will through military force, only this is martial law without any government body having to declare it. We are sliding fast down a slippery slope to a Constitution-free America. This quasi-state of martial law has been helped along by government policies and court rulings that have made it easier for the police to shoot unarmed citizens, for law enforcement agencies to seize cash and other valuable private property under the guise of asset forfeiture, for military weapons and tactics to be deployed on American soil, for government agencies to carry out round-the-clock surveillance, for legislatures to render otherwise lawful activities as extremist if they appear to be anti-government, for profit-driven private prisons to lock up greater numbers of Americans, for homes to be raided and searched under the pretext of national security, for American citizens to be labeled terrorists and stripped of their rights merely on the say-so of a government bureaucrat and for pre-crime tactics to be adopted nationwide that strip Americans of the right to be assumed innocent until proven guilty and creates a suspect society in which we are all guilty until proven otherwise. All of these assaults on the constitutional framework of the nation have been sold to the public as necessary for national security. Time and again, the public has fallen for the ploy hook, line and sinker. We’re being reeled in, folks and you know what happens when we get to the end of that line? As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we’ll be cleaned, gutted and strung up. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: https://www.rutherford.org/ < Previous News Next News >