[theoverseer]

While Hentoff's a leftie, you have to respect the points he brings up.

[concerned about politics]

Forced political correctness is even more dangerous to liberty than anything else. It's facism through litigation.

[billbears]

I've found it interesting to say the least that since the inception of the 'Patriot' Act (a misnomer if there ever was one), TIPS, and all the other wonderful new laws that will sunset in 2-3 years (and if you believe that I can sell you a bridge for a song) that the far right (conservatives) and the mid to far left are agreeing on more than a few things

[twigs]

I DO respect Hentoff, even if I don't always agree with him. He's ardently pro-life and has taken a lot of grief from his fellow lefties. This man is not part of the corrupted Dems. He is true to his convictions.

[Valin]

Bump

[Psycho_Bunny]

Dude....not breaking news.

[sauropod]

Yeah, but he's an honest leftie. Gotta respect him for that.

[tpaine]

While Hentoff's a leftie, you have to respect the points he brings up.
-TO-


Exactly. When even leftists get leery of government, its time to pay attention.
One of his better points is about the big government dominated media:


"In addition to the judiciary and Congress, the other check the Framers relied on to stop uncontrolled government power was what used to be called the Fourth Estate.
That's why the First Amendment guarantees "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the . . . freedom . . . of the press."

But most of the media treated this unprecedented revision of the Constitution as a one- or two-day story, and there was scant mention of it on television.
_________________________________

Very disturbing.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Blood of Tyrants]

I'm sure that Ashcroft thinks he needs the PA II to help wage the WOT and that he has no intention of misusing the law. But what happens when someone with the morals of hitlery gets into office?

[k2blader]

Bump.

[ExpandNATO]

For an opposing point of view see, The Weekly Standard, March 3, 2002, That Devil Ashcroft

The essential difference seems to be that Hentoff claims the government can do this and that at its whim. The Weekly Standard, basing its case on the original leaked document, states that the government is required to prove its case in court.

The environmental claim is clearly bogus. During the Clintonoid era, regulations required that every hazardous chemical be publicly listed and uncontrolled information as to its location be publicly available. A fantastic boon to any terrorist.

In short, no I do not respect Hentoff and it worries me that conservatives run to lefties and some kinds of neocon (Hentoff, Paglia, Tammy Bruce, Moynihan, etc.) for validation.