[BlessedBeGod]

BUMP!!!!

[goldstategop]

The House voted to trim down the Patriot Act. Never mind that NO ABUSES have occured under its watch. Its like 9/11 never happened.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[tkathy]

The man principally responsible for law enforcement crackdowns on terrorists in the United States during this dangerous period -- Attorney General John Ashcroft -- not only received no gratitude for our safety, the complacency to which that safety led allowed many to indulge themselves in the luxury of vilifying Ashcroft at every turn. There are undoubtedly countless whiners who are alive today because of the Patriot Act and the terrific job done by Ashcroft.

[cgbg]

I like Sowell a lot on reverse racism and economices, but he is at least partially wrong on this subject imho.

If you visit an airport these days it does smell a lot like fascism.

I believe there are more effective ways to maximize airport security without hassling law-abiding citizens. Until Norm (you profile and I will sue) Mineta is removed from his cabinet post we are not likely to use any of them.

Think about the stupid things that happen at an airport.

"Has anyone handled your bags but you."

This is a stupid question totally unlikely to elicit useful information.

"Take off your shoes, please."

Cut me a break--if you don't have adequate technology to figure out what is in my shoes without hassling me then go back to the drawing board until you do.

"Empty your pockets into this tray."

Same as above.

"Cigarette lighters are prohibited in checked bags or carry on bags or your pockets."

This is an incredibly stupid and useless policy. I suppose if someone brought a few thousand on board it might be relevant.

I am driving on my next business trip. :-(

[Tax-chick]

BTTT - America's greatest living intellectual!

[AmericanChef]

If you want to see facism, I'd say look at taxes, but lefties love taxes. It's for the chi'dren.

[Aquinasfan]

During the Cold War, Communist expansionism around the world somehow never struck Western Europe, which was protected by the American nuclear umbrella -- and which often accused the United States of unnecessary militarism. American military power was like the polio vaccine that was considered unnecessary.

Great analogy.

[aculeus]

Bump.

[steve-b]

I hadn't noticed any fascism.

It must be nice to live in an alternate time continuum where April 14 is followed immediately by April 16.

[meema]

bttt

[Hank Rearden]

I love Tom Sowell, but it seems he hasn't been through an airport shakedown recently.

[mysterio]

Sorry, I don't think I'll be writing John Ashcroft any thank you letters for lacking foresight and laying the groundwork for tyranny. I will thank him for showing me that Republicans look at the Constitution as a "living," elastic document just like the demos do, though. The "patriot" act made me realize that if there's a (D) or an (R) by a candidate's name, there is about a 95% chance that the candidate is for bigger, more intrusive government and thinks the solution to every problem is more government and less liberty.

[LifeOrGoods?]

Liberals are a farcical lot. All a liberal can do is disapprove any major move made by anyone he calls intolerant. But listen to what his alternative liberal solution is, and you will find silence.

[LifeOrGoods?]

Main Entry: fas·cism
Pronunciation: 'fa-"shi-z&m also 'fa-"si-
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces 1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader,severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition 2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control

Enter the U.S. Senate, enabled by the U.S. Federal Courts, manned by the Very United Socialist States of America, enabled by the liberalized masses, educated in the federally-controlled and state-patroled public schools system. Welcome to WW3, boys and girls.