"Always Think Forfeiture"

Earlier this year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives put out a request for bids to produce a bunch of Leathermans for ATF trainees. Part of the request was that the Leathermans be inscribed with the phrase "Always Think Forfeiture," a reminder to the agents-in-training of what the agency apparently sees as its most important task.

The plan was halted after objections from Idaho Rep. William Sali. Sali is now introducing legislation preventing any federal agency from pushing a forfeiture-first mentality on its agents.

Well, at least overtly.

Comments

[Taktix®]

I'm still trying to figure out why we have an agency that polices legal items...

[Elemenope]

Taktix,

That's fucking bothered me for a while, too.

[sixstring]

I thought ATF stood for Aim, Trip, Fire.

[Workbreak 2]

These training aids were designed to increase awareness of the asset forfeiture concept so that persons who do not regularly employ the strategy as part of a criminal investigation might be reminded to consider it.

Anyone come up with any examples where they didn't "employ" the concept of theft?

[x,y]

What a half-assed measure. Rep. Sali wants to stop the marketing problem. Nary a word, though, about the root problem.

[some fed]

...why we have an agency that polices legal items...

Not all alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or explosives are legal--certainly not the ones which evade taxes.

See also the ATF's friendly July 4th message about all of your favorite (and illegal) fireworks.

[ed]

How about:

Always
Think,
Faggots

[Episiarch]

Not all alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or explosives are legal--certainly not the ones which evade taxes.

Right. And if an 18-year-old buys some liquor or somebody is selling untaxed smokes out of a truck in Queens, who deals with them? Not the ATF.

BATFE is utterly superfluous and should be disbanded, with prejudice.

[Taktix®]

See also the ATF's friendly July 4th message about all of your favorite (and illegal) fireworks.

Ooooo!

Someone might get a hold of some sparklers without a gub'ment stamp. Can't have that.

[mediageek]

I totally submitted this to Hit & Run on Mar 20th.

[18th Amendment]

ATF!?! Why'd they get rid of me but keep you?

[Warren]

In all situations where the state profits from enforcing the law, you have abuse.

[troy]

But for the badge, these guys are just the same thing as the armed toughs that worked for the mob to make sure the mob got its cut of the action?

[Mike Laursen]

What a half-assed measure. Rep. Sali wants to stop the marketing problem. Nary a word, though, about the root problem.

I'd actually prefer that they advertise what they're really up to right there on their leatherman tools, their t-shirts, and their vehicles.

[PC]

Always Think Funding
After Their Freedoms
Authoritarian Trained Fascists
Add The Fire
Always Trespassing Freely

[Workbreak 2]

http://www.fear.org/

[Pro Libertate]

America's
Thoroughly
Fucked.

[Apaulogist]

"In all situations where the state profits from enforcing the law, you have abuse."-Warren

And in all situations where the state doesn't profit, you have neglect.

[J sub D]

Rep. William Sali,

Here's some revolutionary thinking for you since your staff is too fucking stupid to do it. What if agencies that gain asset forfeitures did not benefit from them. What if it just went back into the treasury? Do you think their just might be less abuse?

No charge, congressman. I consider doing your thinking for you a public service.

[First Little Pig]

I'm sure whatever is left from that leatherman order can go to the IRS or DEA.

I hates me some government.

[KenK]

Why the fuss? Didn't the Sheriff of Nottingham have have something similar on the henchmen's swords?

[Pro Libertate]

Abuse,
Thugs,
Force.

[Pinette]

Arbitrary Task Force

[SugarFree]

Assless Taint Fuckers

[Ken Hagler]

There's an old joke that in a free country, "Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms" would be the name of a convenience store.

[LarryA]

What if agencies that gain asset forfeitures did not benefit from them. What if it just went back into the treasury? Do you think their just might be less abuse?

Do you really think that giving Congress access to the proceeds will reduce the incentive for abuse?

Somehow I just can't see the representatives saying, "You're sending us too much money."

[JW]

Attack
Terrorize
Fondle

Ass-fuck
The
Folks

Ape
Totalitarian
Functions

[liberty mike]

Associate

Terrorism (with)

Feds.

[Matthew]

Accept
The
Fraud

[John Markley]

This immediately made me think of Alec Baldwin's "Always Be Closing" tirade from Glengarry, Glen Ross. It takes brass balls to confiscate property...

[ktc2]

No, it takes no balls, merely evil laws writen by evil men and enforced by evil men.

There is NO EXCUSE for our current forfeiture charade. It's just theft.

[TrickyVic]

All
Things
Free

(when you always think forfeiture)

[liberty mike]

Bush (allegations of)

Arabic

Terrorism

False.

[Travis]

"I'd actually prefer that they advertise what they're really up to right there on their leatherman tools, their t-shirts, and their vehicles."

I agree.

Instead of "To Protect & Serve" on the squad car it should say "To Be Feared & Obeyed".

[J sub D]

The new U.S. Army motto -

Always think plunder!

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Hey, great for him. Shame on the Democrats for not coming up with this (I did not look it up but I assume an elected official from Idaho is a Republican).

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Asset forfieture is a terrible thing. It may suprise some people here but I think its bullshit for the State to be able to take someone's property under a lower standard than reasonable doubt through a civil action. Property is right up there with life and liberty in the 5th and 14th Amendment. It's last (of the three, reasonably I should say) but still there.

[TallDave]

Runner-up slogan:

"Asses To Fuck"

Also considered: "Awesomely Tipping Federales" and "All The Finest"

[h-dawg]

"Sali is now introducing legislation preventing any federal agency from pushing a forfeiture-first mentality on its agents."

You will ignore your clear incentives provided by my colleagues! You will not act in your personal best interest as we intend you to do! Any questions?

[Apaulogist]

"Why the fuss? Didn't the Sheriff of Nottingham have have something similar on the henchmen's swords?"-KenK

The Sheriff was fighting that wealth redistrubutionist Robin Hood. He should have been the hero. Alan Rickman is a much better actor than Costner.

[Josh]

"The Sheriff was fighting that wealth redistrubutionist Robin Hood. He should have been the hero. Alan Rickman is a much better actor than Costner." -Apaulogist

The Sheriff was also raping the people ala-Medieval Democrat.

As for the ATF, I have always like this acronym: Assholes Taking Freedoms

[Eriko]

Not that I agree with the whole concept of the ATF but following what you say we need to get the State patrol off of the roads as cars are legal to.

Just saying.

Taktix? | June 9, 2008, 3:31pm | #
I'm still trying to figure out why we have an agency that polices legal items...

[Elemenope]

Not that I agree with the whole concept of the ATF but following what you say we need to get the State patrol off of the roads as cars are legal too.

Speeding isn't. State patrol isn't called the "Cars & Bikes Squad" for nothing you know. They are putatively policing a particular behavior, not mere ownership of a particular legal good.

But please don't take this to mean I think that they should be doing that either. Fuck speed limits and highway patrols; there is no more common and corrosive irritant to freedom than the garden variety traffic stop (and also next to nothing more dangerous to the police officer, too).

[Elemenope]

And since that whole second sentence means exactly the opposite of what I intended, I shall now smack myself in the face.

[Terry]

Where is the Libertarian militia?
People, PATROITS, WAKE UP.
WE ARE IN A CIVIL WAR.
It is not to late YET.

[FilmCritic]

"Alan Rickman is a much better actor than Costner."

A cardboard lobby stand of Shrek is a much better actor than Costner.

"Unlike SOME Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent!" -- Cary Elwes

[Apaulogist]

My favorite game is "spot the liberal propaganda in the Costner movie"

Waterworld: Global warming! the badguys are "smokers" with internal combustion engines. The good guy has a sailboat.

Dances with Wolves: Whitey is evil!
White guys may have destroyed the plains horse culture, but we also created it. There were no horses in North America befor the conquistadors.

The Postman:American greatness is because of government services!

Field of Dreams: ignore the market! If you built it, they will come!

Play along, it's fun!

[Koko]

Apple
Tickle
Funny

[FilmCritic]

"My favorite game is "spot the liberal propaganda in the Costner movie""

Not much into challenges are you? That's like shooting fish in a baggie from a pet shop.

Myself, I keep hoping that all of these actors will finally do what they promised, and "leave the country if _________ is elected!"

[Mike Laursen]

The Postman:American greatness is because of government services!

The original novel, The Postman, was written by libertarian author, David Brin. He chose the postman as the central character because he symbolizes civil society.

[SIV]

I don't know about Brin being "libertarian" but The Postman was disgustingly communitarian in theme.Got a fine/fine HB from a thrift store for .50c
I threw it away so no one else would have to read that particular copy. Horrible book, saved me from ever picking up another Brin though.

[Apaulogist]

I thought of a great movie concept: ACLU member joins the Police Force, but then I though, oh wait. They already made TRAINING DAY.

🙁

[Kaganspawn]

Forfeiture doctrine is execrable law, so down with the jack-booted thugs. Neil and his foul offspring gave this one a wide berth. Someone was waxing mightily eloquent before the mild episode of cerebral flatulence ('there is no more common and corrosive irritant to freedom than the garden variety traffic stop')

[Marcvs]

I always thought that ATF stood for:

"A bunch of shit-eating fuckheads that deserve to have their cocks ripped off and shoved down their throats."

Hmm, guess that has a few more letters than "ATF" though...

[Marcvs]

and maybe even libertarians, I'm not really sure, you guys are pretty strange, I can never figure out where to put you guys

That whole "liberty" and "freedom" thing just confuses the hell out of people.

[Marcvs]

whoops, wrong thread.

[brotherben]

Attacking Traditional Freedoms

[joe]

Props, Congressman Sali. Good on ya.

[Kenneth P. Turvey]

Asset forfiture isn't wrong in and of itself. If it were used to confiscate the assets of convicted criminals that were actually doing something wrong and had earned the proceeds through a continuing criminal enterprise, I don't think any of us would object.

The problem is that they don't require a conviction and most of the time the offender wasn't really doing anything wrong.

The ATF should be completely disbanded. Right after the DEA.

[Art-P.O.G.]

Ha ha, ATF brass, you jokers (remind me never to run afoul of these guys).

[StupendousMan]

The people who work in these agencies and use forfeiture and other execrable methods when "just doing their jobs" need to be publicly shamed.

Their neighbors should know that Tom from down the street just took a family's home away, or took an older persons retirement account- and didn't return anything once the person proved themselves innocent. Cause that's not his job you know.

I would like to know if swat member or ATF thug lived near me.

[ed]

The Untouchables:

Government outlaws alcohol and wonders why bootlegging becomes popular with gangster types. Hilarity ensues.

[some dude]

Where is the Libertarian militia?
People, PATROITS, WAKE UP.
WE ARE IN A CIVIL WAR.
It is not to late YET.

Terry, you tell me when and where, and I'll bring my rifle.

Let's get this thing rolling!

[zig zag man]

American

Tyranny

Facilitators

[Hmm]

Acute
Theiving
Fascist

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