OT: Here we go again ...

[David A. Bandel]

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 10:56:38 -0600
Collins Richey <erichey2 at comcast.net> wrote:

Moving this to general list where it belongs. ;-)

[snip]
> 
> While I respect your opinion, I find it to be rather simplistic.

gee, thanx.

> 
> Here's my own.  I wish that I lived in a time and place where Homeland
> Security were not necessary.  I have yet to hear about (and I doubt
> that I will) of any actions taken by Homeland Security that have a
> negative effect on average, peace loving, hard working citizens.  If
> the new law of the land means that we now have additional tools to
> eliminate the scum of the earth (the chemist fits the description),
> that's great. 

No, what we have are abuses of liberty and elimination of privacy.  I
think the chemist belongs under the jail.  But abrogating what would
have been his rights under pre-HS laws means we've eroded our freedoms. 
These laws increase significantly the likelihood that an innocent man
will spend years in prison.  Our system was built on the proposition
that that should not happen, better 10 guilty men go free.  I won't go
so far as to wish that you or your be that one innocent man, but think
about it.

> 
> If the Homeland Security guys want my library usage record, they are
> welcome to it- mystery readers have little to fear. Somehow I doubt
> that a library reader whose only straying from the fold is to read a
> bomb making manual has nothing to fear.  If, however, that same reader
> has known associations with hardline groups that advocate violence and
> spends most of his time with Arab/Moslem groups(non-citizens) that
> support Hamas (spelling?) or other Jihad groups, then I believe that
> Homeland Security has every reason to follow his activities closely,
> and I applaud their efforts.

Ben Franklin(?) said something about "the man who would trade freedom
for security deserves neither".  I agree.  And I volunteered my life
every day for 20+ years to back it up.  This HS makes that sacrifice
seem irrelevant.

> 
> Homeland Security is scarcely the same as the Nazi SS.  Where and
> when, pray tell, have they descended upon any innocent group of
> citizens, knocking heads and breaking up property?  You could,
> however, make the case that the ATF (remember Waco) has used Nazi
> tactics. And besides, we have had an active Nazi SS organization for
> decades - the IRS <grin>.. 

The new laws and powers being granted to already too powerful agencies
ought to make anyone stop and think.  It certainly makes me stop and
think -- and shiver.  I don't want to be that one innocent man either.

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
		Nemesis Racing Team motto
GPG key autoresponder:  mailto:david_key at pananix.com
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