[Graymatter]

And by the way Rudy, we don’t grant rights.

[American Quilter]

And by the way Rudy, we don’t grant rights.

Excellent point, Graymatter! Rights exist in nature, and cannot be granted by man. What Rudy is really talking about is permission. But "permission" carries no moral weight, hence the common misuse of the word "right" when someone's trying to imbue a permission with the moral authority it inherently lacks.

[ellery]

That struck me too. Again and again, Giuliani proves with his language and actions that he believes absolute power resides with the State, except for the things the State explicitly allows us to do.