From: Samantha Atkins (samantha@objectent.com)
Date: Fri Sep 27 2002 - 19:48:58 MDT
Dehede011@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 9/27/2002 5:00:14 PM Central Standard Time,
>bradbury@aeiveos.com writes: I'd consider Rumsfeld a greater threat than
>Ashcroft because he doesn't have to behave under the same set of checks and
>balances that Ashcroft does.
>
> I have to wonder why an American would consider these gentlemen
>threats, other than to erect a straw man for political reasons. If either of
>them get out of line we have beaucoup mechanisms to put them in their places.
>
Did you read the USA Patriot act? Have you watched for stories on how
that act and other legislation has been used in practice? Do you
remember when Ashcroft was for internment camps for Americans suspected
(with no jury of peers and so on) of aiding terrorists under very broad
definitions of both "aid" and "terrorist"? There is absolutely no need
to erect a strawman. I cannot understand why there is any question in
your mind at this time of the danger that these men and these events
represent.
> However if you read von Hayek's book THE ROAD TO SERFDOM and
>understand how Hitler came to power you will find that the Germans gave him
>the power -- they were looking for a leader.
>
>
Whereas we are a few incidents away from an excuse to declare marital
law. I am tremendously comforted.
> That is exactly why I don't fear any of the pretended threats to our
>liberty -- no one is looking to those people as saviors. On the other hand
>that is why I have occasionally considered certain people a mild threat
>
In the shock of 9/11 these people were given nearly carte blanche for a
time. Do you believe looking for a single savior is the only way for
freedom to be lost in a country?
The majority of Americans were so angered and scared that they went
along with more than they should to fee safer. But freedom and civil
rights should never be the price of alleged "safety".
- samantha
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