Posted on 01/01/2006 2:55:51 PM PST by SunSetSam
I believe "convenience" went away when those aircraft slammed into the WTC and the Pentagon and crashed into that field in Penn.
If you are a member of a political party, the information collected from a phone tap can be used against you. It was used against Newt Gingrich when someone intercepted his cell phone call.
Information is power, and if you collect enough information on anyone, you can rule him. One of the very first things the Clintons did after they entered the White House was to requisition about 900 FBI files on various politicians.
Tyrants use bugs, and wiretaps all the time to control the opposition.
I would suspect that we are not really all that far apart, but if they do kick in my door or try to quarter a soldier here, you'll be reading about it in the paper. The headline will read:
"Crazed, lone gunman dead in gun battle with police".
The truth will be different, but that's how you'll recognize the story. Thanks for your offer to help. ;-)
Well stated. Thanks for a being voice of reason.
He could equally be talking about terrorists.
susie
He also says it is a religion of peace. Ya think some of that is just political talk?
I don't understand the rest of your post. How are we less free? What could he do to make us more free? susie
LOL
I think most of us agree on most things. I used to have this argument with my son all the time. Suddenly, he's turning into a conservative, I think.
What I really wish is that some of our founding fathers could come back, look at the world today (technology, the geopolitical landscape, etc) and tell us exactly what they think NOW about what they said THEN. I am willing to be absolutely wrong, but I would like to hear it from their lips (and not old quotes in which no one could have possibly imagined today's world).
I need to go work on that time machine!
susie
Exactly. When you give someone the right to not be discriminated against you take away someone else's right of free association. We once had that right. People who run airlines should have the right to deny service to people or to search a person based on whatever criteria they feel is appropriate without fear of being dragged through court.
In the first part, it might be construed as such. The second however, is quite clear. He is talking about men in government and not ceding power to them.
Government -- any government in any country -- can, and usually does do more violence to it's own people than is done by invaders. We have been quite free of that because we have zealously guarded our liberty and limited the power of our government.
Throughout history, as government grows it works to protect itself more than it does to protect its citizens. It becomes a power unto itslf. It doesn't seek to become smaller or to make do with less funding. It always seeks more.
As one of the Founders properly noted, "When the government fears the people, you have freedom. When the people fear the government, you have tyranny."
Remember too that the government that is large enough to give you everything that you want -- including the illusion of safety -- is also large enough to take everything that you have.
Enumerate what you think the govt should do (in the area of our safety).
susie
If you get it working, please take me back with you to their time. I would love to spend time in their presence.
I believe what they laid out for us is quite astute and based on an understanding of people and human nature and holds true regardless of the times. Freedom is freedom and tyranny is tyranny. Men will promise to be good masters, but they intend to be your master.
The Internet and the Uzi machine pistol would not change their minds about our rights to free speech or the right to keep and bear arms. I do believe that they'd be appalled that we let government and our tax burden grow to the proportions that we have. Of course, this is speculation based on my reading of their own words.
I've got to run, but it was great chatting with you. And don't worry. I'll work with you to get your mind right. ;-)
Happy New Year!
What does not being a democracy have to do with whether or not the Bill of Rights can be suspended?
If anything, the reverse is true. Being a constitutional republic where certain rights are guaranteed and the power of the state is restricted by the Constitution would imply that the Bill of rights is inviolate. But a "democracy" can do pretty much whatever the elected leaders deem appropriate.
Freedom is not a frivolous luxury, it is what we need to live our lives, create wealth and, most important of all, defend our security.
Freedoms can be regained, destruction and annihilation cannot.
Backwards. We can always rebuild our buildings. Terrorists can never kill so many of us that we cannot replace our population. But once enough freedom is lost, it can be nearly impossible to get it back. A tyrant can not loosen his grip without losing his life.
This country is the richest country in the world largely because, for years, we were the most free. Freedom creates wealth and wealth creates security.
Whenever you feel the urge to give the Federal government more power, always ask yourself this question: "Do I want President Hillary to have this authority?"
Our founders couldn't. Just about every other word in the Constitution restrains, limits and circumscribes the government.
And we should fight it. For the same reason, real conservatives believe in limited government, not expanding its authority.
We read about it pretty much every week. And the press only gets wind of these stories when someone complains to them -- so we can assume it happens more often.
Kids being sent home because they had a Advil tablet, or they drew a picture of a gun, or they had something with a religious symbol, or they had a religious discussion. Kids being scolded for praying over their lunch.
Fascism.
I might buy this if I didn't see them completely ignoring things that they have been specifically tasked with doing. They should be controlling the borders but they don't. But what they do seem to be doing is enlarging their authority to restrict our rights and collect information on us.
That's ok, I have to feed my husband on occasion too.
I agree with most of what you said, however, I'm not sure we have really worked out what's private and what's not in our brave new technological world.
susie
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