4 ms·

Keep an eye on the helicopter colors. Are the unmarked helicopters circling the area black? Probably World Government. We had a drug task force mass arrest sta

Keep an eye on the helicopter colors. Are the unmarked helicopters circling the area black? Probably World Government. We had a drug task force mass arrest staged a few years back. I swear the DEA and other agencies did everything they could to kick up the paranoia. It was unreal how they checked all the 'conspiracy nut' boxes in one operation. They cut the internet and cell phones in the area. Real nice since we had an online class going. They drove around in black SUVs and, just so stupid, had black helicopters flying overhead. I guess they did arrest some people, but I question that too. I'm sure someone was super pleased with themselves.

c3534l 6y ago
I've definitely gotten the impression that some agencies really get a kick out of feeling like badasses on super-secret missions and the whole thing is just tax-payer playtime for bored cops who want to feel special.
- throwaway0a5e 6y ago
  The less useful they are the more they try and act important. ATF, DEA, DHS, etc are always making big scenes because "look, we're doing things, we justify our budget" whereas the FBI just does their job without fanfare.
  - projektfu 6y ago
    Even the FCC has been known to raid pirate radio stations alongside armed Marshalls in riot gear. https://www.democracynow.org/2004/9/30/longest_standing_pirate_radio_station_free https://www.democracynow.org/2004/9/30/longest_standing_pira...
scrps 6y ago
You gotta put on a good show for the "tough on crime" crowd plus how do you expect them to justify funding if they aren't geared up like they are staging a raid on a terrorist stronghold to arrest some 20 year old for a couple of grams of meth (or someone growing okra¹)? They are fighting the ”War on Drugs" after all.² [1]: https://time.com/3479728/marijuana-okra-police/ https://time.com/3479728/marijuana-okra-police/ [2]: I say this with as much sarcasm as I can currently muster

c3534l 6y ago

I've definitely gotten the impression that some agencies really get a kick out of feeling like badasses on super-secret missions and the whole thing is just tax-payer playtime for bored cops who want to feel special.

throwaway0a5e 6y ago
The less useful they are the more they try and act important. ATF, DEA, DHS, etc are always making big scenes because "look, we're doing things, we justify our budget" whereas the FBI just does their job without fanfare.
- projektfu 6y ago
  Even the FCC has been known to raid pirate radio stations alongside armed Marshalls in riot gear. https://www.democracynow.org/2004/9/30/longest_standing_pirate_radio_station_free https://www.democracynow.org/2004/9/30/longest_standing_pira...

scrps 6y ago

You gotta put on a good show for the "tough on crime" crowd plus how do you expect them to justify funding if they aren't geared up like they are staging a raid on a terrorist stronghold to arrest some 20 year old for a couple of grams of meth (or someone growing okra¹)? They are fighting the ”War on Drugs" after all.² [1]: https://time.com/3479728/marijuana-okra-police/ https://time.com/3479728/marijuana-okra-police/ [2]: I say this with as much sarcasm as I can currently muster