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Andrei Codrescu's avatar

ICE thugs will be replaced by AI dogs and will have plenty of human time to suffer

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Peace2051's avatar

The Brown Shirts were eventually disbanded (disappeared?) or forced to join Germany's military forces. The independence they once seemed to have to act with impunity would not be tolerated by the dictatorship. But your essay brings up a good question as to where these ICE people came from. A knowledgeable friend did not think they were hired criminals but rather that they were recruited from militia groups (Proud Boys?). The recent downing in East Africa of a plane with Colombian mercenaries suggests that the world is awash with people with belligerent who know how to monetize this proclivity. Good pay and huge signing bonuses (a red flag if you ask me) will draw them out. It might be that simple.

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William Abernathy's avatar

The Brownshirts were murdered on Hitler's orders after they'd outlived their usefulness to him (How's that for gratitude?). Recognizing the Brownshirts (Sturmabteilung) as a potential threat, Hitler had them rounded up and killed in a three-day purge/bloodbath known as the "Night of the Long Knives." Our modern equivalent would do well to read and consider some history, because things have a way of ending badly for the goon squad. Of course, goons and book learning are usually strangers to each other.

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