Advance Praise for
Battlefield America
Just like acknowledging the nature of the problem is the first step in an individuals recovery from alcoholism, acknowledging the fascist nature of modern America is a necessary step toward restoring American liberty. Battlefield America does not turn away from naming the true nature of the American regime. Mr. Whitehead draws comparisons not just from history but from dystopian fiction to illustrate how America has lost its way. The very fact that books like this can still be written and published shows that we have not lost all our freedoms. John Whiteheads work should motivate us all to redouble our efforts to reclaim our freedoms.
Dr. Ron Paul, twelve-term U.S. Congressman and former presidential candidate
Government surveillance, militarized police, sneak-and-peek searches, SWAT team raids, asset forfeiture schemes, overcriminalization, private prisons: these are all pressing concerns that transcend partisan politics and render the citizenry not merely suspects but criminals. Unfortunately, too many Americans have embraced the governments call to give up some freedom in return for greater safety, only to find that in doing so, they have lost freedom without gaining safety. Constitutional attorney John W. Whitehead makes a compelling and urgent case in Battlefield America for Americans to unite under one common goal: in defense of our freedoms. The danger is clear: if the government has the power to violate one right for one person, then no right is safe for anyone.
Nadine Strossen, former president of the ACLU and constitutional law professor at New York Law School
In his compelling book, Battlefield America, John W. Whitehead describes the danger posed to liberty and humanity itself by the control impulse of government and technology. American Democratic Capitalism is not liberating us; it is enslaving humanity.
Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary, US Treasury, and former Wall Street Journal columnist and editor
Once again, John W. Whitehead shows himself to be a thorough reporter, an insightful scholar and a tireless defender of the Constitution. Battlefield America is the most penetrating, eye-opening proof to date of the imperialist governments desecration of our constitutional personal liberties. Battlefield America is not only a warning of the danger ahead but also a detailed, systematic illustration of how a once freedom-loving nation can descend into tyranny. A must-read for anyone concerned about how to get us back on the road to becoming a self-governing republic. Citizens, journalists, activists, government officialsany and all Americans who have so little inkling about what it really means to be an American and actively safeguard our freedoms against all dangers, foreign and domesticshould take the time to become acquainted with this book. Students and teachers, especially, should make it a priority to debate and discuss this book in their classrooms.
Nat Hentoff, syndicated columnist and historian
John Whitehead is freedoms defense lawyer. Hell never give up, and neither must we. To join John in this fight, first read his manifesto: Battlefield America. You are much needed.
Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr., author and chairman of Mises Institute
The loss of personal liberty, the growth of big government, and the death of government respect for persons rarely occur overnight. It takes a fine eye and a fearless manner to discover and reveal these dangers before it is too late. No one in American today does this better than John Whitehead. In his latest magnum opus, Battlefield America: The War on the American People, he paints the case that Fascism is already here, liberty is already lost, we are in more danger from the government than from bomb throwers, and it is nearly too late for hope. I challenge anyone to read this book and then try to go to sleep. I found that impossible.
Hon. Andrew P. Napolitano, Senior Judicial Analyst, Fox News Channel; Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School
Copyright 2015 by John W. Whitehead
All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.
This edition published by SelectBooks, Inc.
For information address SelectBooks, Inc., New York, New York.
First Edition
ISBN 978-1-59079-309-1
eISBN 978-1-59079-315-2
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Whitehead, John W., 1946-
Battlefield America : the war on the American people / John W. Whitehead.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary: "Author paints a portrait of an evolving American police state as police authority expands into extensions of the military, and government's intrusions undermine basic freedoms guaranteed to American citizens under the Constitution, turning Americans into enemy combatants who are spied upon, raided, manhandled, silenced, locked up, shot at, and denied due process of the law"-- Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-59079-309-1 (hardbound book : alk. paper) 1. Civil rights--United States. 2. Electronic surveillance--United States. 3. Abuse of administrative power--United States. 4. Police--United States. I. Title.
ISBN-978-1-59079-315-2
JC599.U5W523 2015
323.4'90973--dc23
2014048520
Cover art and illustrations by Christopher Combs
Book design by Janice Benight
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To my wife, Nisha Whitehead, who keeps me in the battle
and inspires me to move forward
and
Nat Hentoff, whose dedication to freedom
has been an inspiration to me
If liberty means anything at all,
it means the right to tell the people
what they do not want to hear.
GEORGE ORWELL
Everything in our background has prepared us to know and resist a prison when the gates begin to close around us.... But what if there are no cries of anguish to be heard? Who is prepared to take arms against a sea of amusements? To whom do we complain, and when, and in what tone of voice, when serious discourse dissolves into giggles? What is the antidote to a cultures being drained by laughter?
NEIL POSTMAN
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH:
PUBLIC DISCOURSE IN THE AGE OF SHOW BUSINESS
Also by John W. Whitehead
A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State (2013)
The Freedom Wars: What You Can Do To Preserve Your Rights (2010)
The Change Manifesto: Join the Block by Block Movement to Remake America (2008)
CONTENTS
by Dr. Ron Paul
Foreword
By Dr. Ron Paul
M ost Americans react with confusion, disbelief, and even hostility when told that America is not a free country. This reaction is quite understandable. After all, we are continually bombarded with messages from politicians, the media, and even popular culture about how we are the freest nation on Earth. We are even told that the reason people from other countries hate us is because they resent our freedom, not our drones.
