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Are you saying that people carrying handguns would have produced the same decrease in violent crime that Giuliani's law enforcement policies achieved? I understand perfectly well what fascism is and how it's sold. I know more about it than you do. No amount of exaggeration and hysteria will change the fact that he is not a fascist. NYC did not become a police-state. I don't support Giuliani for President, but if he's elected, this country will not become a police state. The statement you quote is out of context. I'd like to see the rest of what he had to say. Prior to becoming President, Reagan had a reputation as Governor of California that was seen by his enemies as fascist. He was a hard-line law and order advocate who's anti-crime policies were for "public order and safety." He used force against Anti-Viet Nam war demonstrators. He was compared to Hitler. Reagan was not a fascist. Giuliani is not a fascist.

NYC did not become a police-state. I don't support Giuliani for President, but if he's elected, this country will not become a police state.

NYC is a police state. Licensing and registration of all guns are required. If you fail to pay a ticket- the police are at your door ready to collect your firearms (I know somebody that this happened to). Handgun permits are givin out at the discretion of the police commissioner- good luck trying to get a handgun permit in NYC. Should you ever try to get a pistol permit in NYC, you either need a lawyer to interpret all of the rules OR you better be a lawyer yourself with friends in high places.

Try opening a business there. The regulations are insane. Face it, NYC is a police state- it was one way before Rudys time as mayor.

Are you saying that people carrying handguns would have produced the same decrease in violent crime that Giuliani's law enforcement policies achieved?

No, better.

I understand perfectly well what fascism is and how it's sold. I know more about it than you do.

I doubt that seriously.

I don't support Giuliani for President, but if he's elected, this country will not become a police state.

I don't believe that. One act of terrorism and he'll have all the weapons he needs. His antipathy to the Fourth and Fifth Amendments as a US Attorney is all I need as evidence of his propensities.

Prior to becoming President, Reagan had a reputation as Governor of California that was seen by his enemies as fascist.

As a person who was living in a city adjoining Berkekey at the time of People's Park demonstrations I can say unequivocally that the reputation and the reality were two different things. Really, you don't know what you are talking about if you make that comparison. Reagan was unbelievably tolerant against deliberate violent provocation by dedicated and well funded communists, something Rudy never faced. These people belonged to organizations that had used bombs and were photographed carrying automatic weapons.

Reagan was not a fascist. Giuliani is not a fascist.

No sale, and I know a damned sight more about Bratton's "Broken Window" theory than you realize.