The land of the free and the home of the brave have let their own fear tear down the freedoms on which they built their society.
The aim of terrorism is not to kill the maximum number of people but to constrict them with fear. To destroy their courage and their power. One's chances of dying by terrorist act are no greater than that of dying by automotive crash yet people continue to drive, and carelessly at that.
These new anti-terrorism laws play directly into the hands of our enemies. They break down the freedom and strength which we have cherished.
What good to have a government of our own if we simply do as we're told by our large neighbor?
The US has been comfortable so long they have lost the strength they pride themselves on. They have caved into fear like spoiled children who have never had to be strong.
How can intelligent citizens simply stand by while their government allows laws in which one can be detained for no apparent reason, merely on suspicion of seditious activity, without charges? Laws which allow them to search you at whim or go through all your private correspondence?
A free citizenry MUST retain the ability to defy a law which they see as unjust. These new laws remove that ability. Furthermore, it is not even limited to a brief time, but left open-ended with the statement "Till we catch and eliminate terrorism" Can we be so naive as to think our government will actually be able to do this? Are we so trusting that we don't think they'll entrench and abuse this new legislation once we cease to worry about it?
I beleive the most strident cry heard at the start of fascism throughout history was "The law abiding have nothing to fear."
We have already seen our citizens abused when attempting to make lawful protests. We write letters and complain and nothing is done. We assemble to complain in person and are sprayed with harsh chemicals. We cast votes for the least evil rather than the one we admire to be our leader.
When we finally see how bad it can get, it will be too late.
Our ability to take up arms and defend ourselves if our government gets too corrupt has been drastically curtailed with sweeping gun legislations. I supported that legislation but now I am regretting it. Don't think that all you hunters trying to fight the gun laws won't be caught in the dragnet of these new laws.
First the freedom fighters and intellectuals are carried away on trumped up charges. Then anyone who finds his lot in life less than brilliant and complains about it.
Will we see death camps for anyone dark of skin or hair? What about our native peoples and their fight for freedoms and rights? Will these new laws be used against them too in time? Would the mohawks not have been taken down under the terrorism laws?
What if a lumber company has permission to cut down your favorite old growth forest and you are branded a terrorist for daring to stand up to them?
I heard an American blubbering in astonishment over Osama Bin Laden's proclamation that he holds the citizens of America responsible for their government's actions. She felt offended that they should be to blame for what their representatives do. Well folks, in a democratic system the blame DOES rest entirely on the citizens, however disempowered they may be. If they cannot even take a moment to express themselves then they are craven and do not deserve to live in a "free society".
What use free speech for those too lazy to speak?
For every complaint it is assumed there are ten silent agreements