I just had a nice little run-in with a fellow employee. I live in VT, so I don't run across too many
idiots Republicans here. And the ones I do run across are pretty moderate.
So this guy asks me what's up, and I say, "The end of our Democracy, what's up with you?" I was only half kidding. I asked him if he knew about the NSA spying on us, and he said he agrees with it. He said that we'll be singing a different tune after the next disaster happens on U.S. soil.
I asked him (yelled at him), "where does it stop though? One man with all that power? Where does it stop? Who has any control over it? Do you want a government of men, instead of laws? Do you not believe in the rule of law?"
I was on fire.
I got a telephone call, and he walked away.
more below......
I felt badly because I pummeled him. He's a nice guy. But he (undeservedly) got the brunt of all my anger at this administration. So I composed an email to him (below) to apologize, but also to calmly try to persuade him to our side on this issue.
Didn't mean to take out my frustration on you, J----.
Here's a quote from a very wise man:
"Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety."
The man who said this was Benjamin Franklin. He was one of the framers and signers of the Constitution of The United States of America. In that Constitution is the following amendment:
Fourth Amendment:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized
Many people have already died to protect that Constitution. Forty-three Presidents have served this country, and have sworn on a Bible to uphold it. Now we have a President who thinks he knows better than the framers of our Constitution.
He doesn't.
If we allow American citizens to be spied upon without warrant or oversight by the courts, we give up the liberty we supposedly are fighting for abroad. Brave young men and women are dying in Iraq to bring to them what we now are so willing to give up 'for a little temporary safety'
It wasn't "Give me SAFETY, or give me death." It was, "Give me LIBERTY, or give me death." (Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775)
The "War On Terrorism" will never end, Don. Even President Bush said, when asked "Can we win?" the war on terror, Bush said, "I don't think you can win it." It's a carte blanche for this government, or any future government to whittle away at our freedoms, and at our constitution. Until there's nothing left for your kids. Think about it.
I'll leave you with one more quote:
"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."
James Madison said that. He was also a framer and signer of our Constitution.
Peace,
D------
I guess he now knows I mean business. There are no "casual" political discussions with me any more. Not when our country is in such dangerous hands. But if we wish to persuade, we must do so with reason, passion AND compassion. We must put our anger aside, or we will make only enemies.