Round up the usual suspects

Washington Times ^ | Monday, October 29, 2001 | Nat Hentoff

[SJackson]

i am worried about the permanent loss of civil liberties going on here.

We should be, this is an enviornment of great risk to our rights. I'm often surprised to see posters who aggressively post supporting the 2nd ammendment willing to throw the rest out the window because of the "risk" to the country. For example, Boxer, Feinstein, many others view gunowners as a "risk", would clearly be willing to support gun confiscation, and, as Straight Vermonter points out, throw my butt is jail until I turned them over.

Twodees: Had he insisted on taking on the democrats who used such blatantly illegal election practices against him, even though it could have cost him the AG slot, I would have a different view of him.

He's a political creature. He may be ours (conservative) but that doesn't change the fact that he will act in his own self-interest. In protecting our rights we need to be as vigilant watching our friends as our enemies.

I'm glad "Dr. Terror" (the fact that an apparently loyal citizen was given that nickname should scare us-guilty first) is OK with his 13 day detention. If it took 13 days to clear him, I'm OK with it too. But day 14 would have been an abuse, and if the government can do it to him, they can do it to me.

[grammymoon]

As Martha would say, "that's a good thing"

[Twodees]

Actually, I observed that he's the GOP's snake. I don't consider Ashcroft a conservative. He's what's known as a "social conservative", which isn't a conservative at all, but a utopian. Ashcroft is pretty typical of Bush's cabinet choices. There isn't a one of them worth spitting on. The few who aren't pissants are has-beens.

I agree with the other points you made so clearly. Good work.

[Twodees]

Ashcroft's announcement that his first priority would be to wipe out racial profiling should have been a warning sign to everyone what kind of AG he's going to be. We're going to suffer with this guy, that's my opinion.

[GADIST64]

I'm not sure I agree with the part about our military not having a captain. They may, in fact, be headed on a cruise for nowhere..at least no where I would want to go. We have a president that has weighed the options and who is doing the right thing. He is the captain of our armed forces, and I am proud to consider him as such.

[GVnana]

the danger of letting federal agents and attorneys play loose with the Constitution.

Well this is not the first time in US history that we've bent the rules in war. Remember Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and even shut down some newpapers for sedition. (Hmmm. Gives one pause.) I wish some bright minds would develop the means to have any arrested foreigner tried by military tribunal. I truly believe this would be best for the country.

These same things can, as you mention, be done to political enemies once a new administration is in office.

Yes. Hopefully we'll have no need for them when they expire in, what is it? Five years?

I don't trust or respect Ashcroft at all.

Huh. I was quite impressed with his handling of the Congressional savages during his confirmation. I watched most of the hearings. Ashcroft's background is in my opinion, quite impressive beginning with the fact that he's a University of Chicago Law--NOT HARVARD--graduate. I was also pleased with the fact that he is deeply committed to his faith. I figure that can't hurt.

RE: election fraud and the Clinton/Democrat corruptions: It was my impression that the decision to "leave it be" came from the top--Bush. I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand wanting justice, on the other, how much do we benefit by an administration looking backward? Would trying to beat the Clintons back to Arkansas be a never ending agenda? Anyway, it appears you and I have very different impressions of the man and I appreciate your views.

[Recovering_Democrat]

There but for the grace of God go i.

Well, yes and no. Of course you could be held or detained for an inconvenient amount of time. OTOH, you likely wouldn't fit the profile of a possible terrorist, so you wouldn't. You also would likely cooperate in a time of national crisis, in the wake of thousands of American dead. So really, there but for the grace of God you wouldn't go.

[JCG]

Thanks for the link.

[sauropod]

That all depends upon the perception, biases, and profiles of the authorities doing this.

I'd rather not leave it up to chance or the fact that Homer's lunch is disagreeing with him.

Deus Volt! 'Pod.