Letters to the Editor
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Shooter isn't an American
I told this story a couple years ago on the old UT but I'll tell it again. My 8th grade civics teacher started our lessons about "what it means to live in a democracy like ours," by asking us 13 year olds on the first day of class if we thought police should be able to go door to door searching every house in the neighborhood if somebody we knew got murdered. Naturally we took the bait, thinking this was some way to show how adult we all were, and almost every kid raised his or her hand to assent to the necessities of responsible living in a free society. We all said we'd allow the cops to go ahead and search. I guess we all figured if you're innocent you have nothing to fear, or something along those lines--the kind of thing you always hear from unAmerican authoritarian types like shooter.
Needless to say when he asked the same question at the end of 8th grade we all knew that to live in America is to accept the risks that come with the freedoms we cherish. We'd read about how those who will sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither and all that stuff--you know, basic American civics.
Glenn made this point abundantly clear in his last book as well. We all accept certain risks to live in a free society. Chickenshits like shooter need a place like the old USSR to feel safe from those scary terrists.
I already know what shitter will say. But I'd love to see him in a room with someone transported to America circa 2007 from 1940's London during WW2. He could tell them how he, like them, understands that in times of war we have to give up the freedoms we cherish during peacetime in order to beat an implacable foe like the Nazis or Al Quaida. They'd nod their assent and say they too live without all their freedoms but that's what war means. Then he could take them out to dinner and as they cowered and ducked at every siren he could laugh at them and explain to them that our war only had one real bad bombing about 7 years back but still, you never know when they might strike again. I'd love to see the looks on their faces as they tried to fathom shooter's willingness to live with the lack of freedoms they had to during a real war. They'd see him for the unAmerican coward we all do.
I'm glad you are willing to spell out exactly what we're dealing with shooter, in right wing authoritarian cowards like yourself, who don't deserve your security or your freedom. You've spelled out exactly what the differences are between real Americans and people like you. Thanks for making it clear for everyone.
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Beware The Savage Claw!
One World Government! Send Ron Paul your worthless fiat dollsrd! It is the tool of the devil! But first you must cross out the All Seeing Eye! Then poke it with a needle!
Novus Ordo Seclorum!
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re: OK, Shooter, I'll bite.
If legitimacy is not governed by the rule of law, then by what? Who decides then what's OK and what's not? What can a President do and what can a President not do? Who decides and by what rules?
We do indeed follow the law. What that law means at any given time is problematical. Moreover, when laws are vague or the Constitution contradicts itself, the Supreme Court is the final arbiter.
As far as executive powers are concerned, most of what passes for commentary is just hyperbolic ranting. Bush has followed the law well. As the President who here in a crisis, would wait for legislation that could take years, before acting. OTOH When the Supreme court has ruled against him he's either backed off or pushed for the legislation he needs.
All this pertains to the telecom immunity. In this case, I'm guessing that the telecom industry is our last remaining intelligence asset, and that Reid is bucking his people because he understands that if it is shackled we've got nothing else. Is what the telecoms did illegal? Maybe, maybe not, time will tell. Until a court decides though, everything else is an opinion.
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Yep... Right spot on..
Then he could take them out to dinner and as they cowered and ducked at every siren he could laugh at them and explain to them that our war only had one real bad bombing about 7 years back but still, you never know when they might strike again. I'd love to see the looks on their faces as they tried to fathom shooter's willingness to live with the lack of freedoms they had to during a real war. They'd see him for the unAmerican coward we all do.
We have government by hysteria.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysteria
Control people via their emotions.
The state religion of "the war on drugs" has now had a revelation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revelation
Terror is the new Satan, forever to be warred upon.
To believe without reason:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith
First they came for the dopers, but when they came for thee there was no one left to stand up for you since they were coming for all those who dared to speak out.
Think of the number of liberties you have let slide in the venal, vicious and totally irrational "war on drugs".
It's almost worth it to watch the sucker's faces as they too slowly realize what they've allowed to happen.
Mencken's Creed
I believe that religion, generally speaking, has been a curse to mankind - that its modest and greatly overestimated services on the ethical side have been more than overcome by the damage it has done to clear and honest thinking.
I believe that no discovery of fact, however trivial, can be wholly useless to the race, and that no trumpeting of falsehood, however virtuous in intent, can be anything but vicious.
I believe that all government is evil, in that all government must necessarily make war upon liberty...
I believe that the evidence for immortality is no better than the evidence of witches, and deserves no more respect.
I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech...
I believe in the capacity of man to conquer his world, and to find out what it is made of, and how it is run.
I believe in the reality of progress.
I - But the whole thing, after all, may be put very simply. I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than be ignorant.
Government, like fire, is a powerful tool and a frightful master.
I pity those who allow it to surround and engulf them.
Do you have children or grandchildren?
Better wake up and smell the Zyklon B.