Sen. Dan Coats On The Boston Bombing: You Know Who We Need To Keep An Eye On? Loners.

from the because-constant-surveillance-makes-the-unsocial-more-sociable dept

In the right hands, an attack like the Boston Bombing can make terrorists of us all. All it takes is a "type." Columbine turned trench coat ownership and Marilyn Manson fandom into signs of impending, shotgun-toting DOOM. (Or rather, "doom." Sorry.) 9/11 turned anyone with darker features and a copy of MS Flight Simulator into a suicidal zealot. Newtown turned Call of Duty players into ticking time bombs. (Mass Effect players already were ticking time bombs, but often exploded harmlessly into walls of text in Kotaku comment threads.)

Every tragedy creates a new archetype for politicians to focus on, as though suspects could be determined simply by one notable characteristic. If we (as one nation, under surveillance) could just track this one type of person, we'd be terrorist-free for years to come.

Senator Dan Coats has declared his pick for the One Type we should be keeping tabs on. In his appearance on ABC's This Week, Coats selected the Archetype Most Likely to Harm Americans. Of this, he seemed 100% sure, although his grasp on which Tsarnaev brother he is referring to is decidedly more vague, as Daniel Drezner at Foreign Policy points out.

If we go to the transcript, here's his first intervention, on whether Dzhokhar Tsarnaev should be Mirandized:

COATS: I think we should stay with enemy combatant until we find out for sure whether or not there was a link to foreign terrorist organizations.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Even though he's a citizen?

COATS: Even though he's a citizen. There have been exceptions to this before with the public safety issue of course on Miranda rights. But also the fact that he's traveled back to his hometown which is a Muslim area, could have been radicalized back there.

STEPHANOPOULOS: That was his brother though.

Now you have to hand it to Senator Coats here -- inside of ten seconds, he makes a dubious statement about the law and a factually incorrect statement. It wasn't like these were obscure facts, either, like the capital of Chechnya or something. So, great prep work, Senator Coats' staff!
Now that the Senator has gotten the "facts" out of the way, it's time to start making generalizations!
STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator, what do you do though if no connection to a specific group is found? Instead we just find that these young men were inspired by al Qaeda, but not directed. That's almost impossible to find.

COATS: Well it is. And that's the reality of the world we're now living in. Because we not only face terrorism from abroad, that is, planned and coordinated. We face these lone wolves or these others or whoever gathers together that has a vengeance or a demented mind or who has been kind of radicalized through over the internet or through a mosque or whatever. We're going to continue to have to understand that is a threat to America also.

That's why we all need to be engaged in not only looking out for this type of thing, but helping identify and see, whether these loners, is there a kid in the classroom that's just --

RADDATZ: He wasn't a loner. He wasn't a loner (emphasis added).
True, as Drezner offers "in fairness" to the confused senator, it did seem as though the Tsarnaevs were operating without any sort of supporting network (much as Coats seems to be himself). But is this what Coats really wants?
[L]et's skip the preliminaries and get to the more basic point. Is Dan Coats suggesting that high schools profile which kids are loners and put them onto a "possible terrorist watch list"?
"Loner" covers a lot of territory. There are loners who have been ostracized by their peers. There are others who have opted out, so to speak, and prefer a solitary existence. Coats doesn't really seem to know what he's aiming for, but he's obviously not going to let that stop him from dragging "kids in the classroom" into the national debate on terrorism.

If Coats were in charge, the acronymous agencies in charge of our nation's security would be filling their database with all sorts of presumed threats. The weird kids who just don't "fit in." The kids who have no desire to "fit in." Agoraphobics. J.D. Salinger. Sufferers of social anxiety disorder. Some shades of the autism spectrum. Lighthouse operators. Morrissey fans. Former world champion chess players. Florida Marlins season ticket holders.

More seriously, is this what Coats really thinks is a valid method for combating terrorism? Should we (meaning various law enforcement and security agencies) start tracking "loners" at an early age in order to prevent theoretical acts of terrorism? If anyone's concerned that a certain student doesn't have enough friends or participate in enough extracurricular activities, I'm sure additional conversations with school administration, guidance counselors, school psychiatrists and (the now de rigeur) "law enforcement liaisons" should make these troubled youths feel more "normal."

It's quite possible Coats didn't mean for the statement to come across as terribly as it did, especially considering his blissful unawareness of the subject matter at hand, but I'm sure there's an underlying comfort hidden within his moronic suggestion. Terrorists aren't like "normal" people -- they're weird and frightening fringe dwellers who are clearly defined by their stunted social skills and desolate Facebook profiles. Only freaks commit acts of violence, not someone who appeared to be, for the most part, your average foreign exchange student. This sort of "truth" is easier to take. It's just another form of stereotyping -- a very safe option that rarely arouses the ire of the targets and offends no particular group.

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Filed Under: boston, dan coats


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  • icon
    Akari Mizunashi (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 5:52am

    Seriously, politicians are so far out of touch with Americans, they're the true terrorists out to destroy our freedoms.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Ninja (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:51am

      Re:

      Considering everybody considers them a lone class with very low morals and completely corrupted I'd say you could be right, according to Coats.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    non-anonymous coward (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:23am

    I'm much more concerned with extroverts seeking political power. History has taught us to watch them very closely.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Rick Smith (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:33am

    At this rate maybe it would save every one time if the politicians would just come out and say that

    everyone not in the US House or Senate is considered to be a terrorist and is on the watch list.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:37am

      Response to: Rick Smith on Apr 30th, 2013 @ 7:33am

      You're very likely to be right. Only thing we can't lock people up just for being on a list. Until we make being on the list a felony.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Berenerd (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 10:52am

        Re: Response to: Rick Smith on Apr 30th, 2013 @ 7:33am

        Then we are good because I have put every politician on a list...

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    johnjac (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:34am

    This is simple,

    This is simple, we just need to look out for people who are either alone, or with a group. Everyone else can go about their daily lives.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:40am

    Except the modern world is entirely composed of loners now. Alone Together is only a few years old at this point.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Zakida Paul (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:42am

    Sweet Jesus, what stupidity.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Nigel (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:44am

    Sweet, now we can out OOTB, by that logic he is a terrorist.

    Nigel

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    jupiterkansas (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:44am

    We sure do elect idiots.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Zakida Paul (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:47am

      Re:

      That is the choice you have - red idiot or blue idiot. Some democracy, that.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:57am

        Re: Re:

        Only red and blue? I pity you Americans.

        We get to choose from a much richer palette of idiots in my country! It's like a rainbow of idiots over here.

        Sure, the end result is the same, but...uh...

        ...democracy? yay?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Zakida Paul (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:00am

          Re: Re: Re:

          Here in the UK our only realistic choices are red, blue and yellow. Although, yellow made a devil's pack with blue and may now be finished.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            Zakida Paul (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:01am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            Grr not pack but pact.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:30am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              I don't know, politicians tend to associate in packs, just listen to PM's questions.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • icon
                Zakida Paul (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:43am

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                That's good for a bit of low brow entertainment but not much else. A bit like Jeremy Kyle.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:26am

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                  I was suggesting it was the reason you used pack to describe groups of politicians, as it mainly exhibits pack behaviour, and not a rational question and answer session.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            jupiterkansas (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:01am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            So that's where the green party comes from.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          squall_seawave (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:47am

          Re: Re: Re:

          well what about mexico
          see the variety

          green moron
          yellow greedy bastard
          blue corrupt
          red idiot
          and tricolor who are greedy corrupt idiots

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 7:58am

      Re:

      Not like the other options are real bright either...

      I think it's more a matter of America's public intelligence (and common sense) declining.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:23am

        Re: Re:

        "Common Sense"? What a misnomer!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        TheLastCzarnian (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:26am

        Re: Re:

        I've generally found that people making this statement resemble it the most.

        They also shout "Woooo" the loudest while watching professional wrestling on TV.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:34am

          Re: Re: Re:

          This time I'm a computer engineer with a job, college degree, and perfect scores on the math portions of the SAT, SAT II, and GRE.

          Sorry to ruin your Red Bull drinking, jobless, professional wrestling fan steriotype.... Though I probably could challenge Tim on knowledge of real sports (football, baseball, soccer, basketball).

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        jupiterkansas (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:02am

        Re: Re:

        That implies our intelligence at some point inclined.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    ahow628 (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:04am

    My senator

    He's my Senator. How embarrassing for me.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:12am

    the ones that need an eye being kept on them are the ones that telling us to keep an eye on everyone else!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    WyoGuy, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:13am

    "Normal"?

    Who defines "Normal"? It is frightening to suggest that everyone who is not "Normal" must be scrutinized . . . Has anyone read Orwell's "1984" book?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Zakida Paul (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:22am

      Re: "Normal"?

      Where do you think they get these ideas?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:34am

        Re: Re: "Normal"?

        Nah, for them to be inspired by Orwell would mean that they know how to read in the first place.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      John Fenderson (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:38am

      Re: "Normal"?

      "Normal" is just another word for "average".

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 12:15pm

      Re: "Normal"?

      for a minute there I thought you said circumcised...

      But that was a different Politician's definition of Normal....

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:30am

    Fixed that title for you....

    "You Know Who We Need To Keep An Eye On? Loners."


    You Know Who We Need To Keep An Eye On? Congress!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:35am

    alone at last

    Great! Now I may be a terrorist because I choose to live alone and not participate in group activities...

    You try to escape the pressure cooker of life and wind up in the DHS frying pan.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    The Groove Tiger (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:47am

    "Columbine turned trench coat ownership and Marilyn Manson fandom into signs of impending, shotgun-toting DOOM"

    I think DOOM is a pretty cool guy. Eh kills zombeis and doesnt afraid of anything.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Vidiot (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 8:53am

    The Secret of Miranda

    I know it's just a minor point on the Senator's Idiocy Hit Parade, but that Miranda thing... seriously. The question of whether or not to "read him his rights" -- what, is Miranda a secret? Is it written in Esperanto, and needs to be translated so that you know you have rights? What if he's already heard it? Considering its repetition from the days of Jack Webb and Dragnet, all the way through all the dozens of Law and Order franchises... how can anyone, even an immigrant, not know what the words and concepts are?

    And better yet, Miranda isn't about having rights... it's about getting reminded of them. The rights are already in place.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Rikuo (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:32am

      Re: The Secret of Miranda

      The problem there is, the ASSUMPTION. Since you're dealing with law, with facts and evidence, you cannot assume anything to be true. What if a cop arrests someone today, and that person is a US citizen who hasn't watched/read Jack Webb, Dragnet and Law & Order? You can't just assume someone knows their rights. It is very possible for someone to not know that whatever they say at the time of arrest could be used against them.
      If you take the time to watch this video (over 40 mins long)
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc,
      I'll condense it down though. Basically, the law professor explains that even the most innocent of statements, spoken by innocent individuals in front of a cop, can and have been used to convict. What if the guy being arrested says something innocuous that ends up convicting him, but he wouldn't have said it if he'd been reminded of his 5th amendment rights?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Vidiot (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 11:10am

        Re: Re: The Secret of Miranda

        Guess I was looking from the other end... a suspect who, although not Mirandized, knows enough to invoke those rights nonetheless (and clams up). I understand Miranda's purpose... formal notice... but wondered, as that whole no-Miranda-for-you media cycle unfolded, whether the officials involved really thought that omitting the notification would actually change his right to remain silent. Or that it would force him to run his mouth, when simple common sense says otherwise.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        btr1701 (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 3:13pm

        Re: Re: The Secret of Miranda

        > What if a cop arrests someone today, and that
        > person is a US citizen who hasn't watched/read
        > Jack Webb, Dragnet and Law & Order? You can't
        > just assume someone knows their rights.

        I'm personally in favor of the Miranda rule being eliminated entirely. It was a ridiculous decision when it was first issued and only gets more ridiculous with each further judicial 'refinement' of the rule.

        The U.S. provides criminal defendants with more due process and substantive protections than any other society in the history of mankind. We bend over backward to give the accused every presumption of innocence and put high hurdles before the government to convict.

        If you as a citizen can't be bothered to educate yourself on the basics of what your rights are and what burden the government meet to convict you, then that's on you. There ought to be some minimum personal responsibility on the part of the citizen and that's where I'd draw the line.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Rambo Tribble, 30 Apr 2013 @ 9:56am

    An Old Song

    The electorate doesn't trust their government, so they elect politicians who promise to shut it down. These legislators succeed in hobbling it, making it ineffectual, so the public decries and distrusts this impaired institution. Rinse, repeat.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    zerostar83 (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 11:57am

    "Enemy combatant" until proven innocent.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Wally (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 12:12pm

      Re:

      Please tell me how you combat someone who has been brainwashed...then tell me how far you get not incapacitating the person before he does more damage under the right circumstances.

      I can tell you this right now...the brothers were brainwashed into doing what they did. It wasn't some belief in a latent lie like 72 virgins awaiting you upon your death which was used for the 9/11 attacks...oh no, just a brainwashing and conditioning plain and simple. It is much wiser to get a psychologist to detox his conditioning than to interrogate him in a police station.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        nasch (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 5:14pm

        Re: Re:

        I can tell you this right now...the brothers were brainwashed into doing what they did.

        How do you know this?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Wally (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 12:12pm

    Two confirmed reports about both brothers...1. The DHS got warnings about the from officials in Russia....in 2011...2. They were definitely brainwashed to do what they did.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    btr1701 (profile), 30 Apr 2013 @ 3:15pm

    > They were definitely brainwashed to do what
    > they did.

    Yep, no one's every responsible for the crap they do anymore. There always has to be an excuse.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2013 @ 4:48pm

      Re:

      OK....The SS was brainwashed to believe that Jews were bad...are you doubting the subliminal power of actually brainwashing some one??? I mean it doesn't really take much.

      The Chinese term 洗腦 (xǐ năo, literally "wash brain") was originally used to describe methodologies of coercive persuasion used under the Maoist regime in China, which aimed to transform individuals with a reactionary imperialist mindset into "right-thinking" members of the new Chinese social system. To that end the regime developed techniques that would break down the psychic integrity of the individual with regard to information processing, information retained in the mind and individual values.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        kitsune361, 1 May 2013 @ 3:13pm

        Re: Re:

        That's hilarious how backwards they got that etymology in the Manchurian Candidate.

        http://youtu.be/LBDhoUZgsDo?t=2m5s

        "Allow me to introduce our American... visitors. I must ask you to forgive thier somewhat lackadaisical manners as I have conditioned them, or BRAINWASHED them, which I understand is the new American word for it..."

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Transmitte, 30 Apr 2013 @ 4:13pm

    Methinks...

    Senator coats seems to take an overly large beLIEver in the ideas put forth in the film "Minority Report". If we're going to focus on "Loners", I'm screwed. Thankfully though I am not a Marlins fan. *whew*

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Uriel-238 (profile), 1 May 2013 @ 9:08am

    Oh great, another reason for me to be misanthropic.

    You know, socialites are all a rioting mob waiting to happen.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    oddfoxx, 3 Jul 2013 @ 4:07pm

    Re: Re: My senator

    "elect"...lol that`s classic..."elect"

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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