Freedom and opinion

December 29, 2004

We are often reminded — particularly by those who support military action against people suspected of participating in thinking about potentially planning possible weapons of mass destruction-related program activities — the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We must always be on guard against threats from outside our borders.

But there are forces _inside_ our borders “who threaten our freedoms as well”:http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/pressingissues_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000743012.

bq. The Patriot Act will put both of you (Al Neuharth and Greg Mitchell) on trial for treason and convict and execute both of you as traitors for running these stories in a time of war and it should be done on TV for other communist traitors like you two to know we mean business. This is war and you should be put in prison NOW for talking like this. Who the hell do you people think you are? You give aid and comfort to our enemies and aid them in murdering our proud soldiers. You people are a disgrace to America. Your families should be put in prison with you, then be made to leave and move to the Middle East …You two guys are evil bastards…This is a great Christian nation and god wants us to lead the world out of darkness with great leaders like President George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Communists like Al and Greg will soon be in prison and on death row for your ugly papers. We won the election and now you are mad. We own America and all the rights, you people are trash, go back to Russia and Africa and take your friends with before we put you on death row after a fair trial. [ ??"Readers Want to Lock Up Al Neuharth":http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/pressingissues_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000743012?? ]

It’s a shame that anyone thinks this way; it’s flat amazing that so many Americans share such an opinion. We liberals are often accused of trying to revive the Communist horror here in America, but nothing serves the cause and interests of Stalinist totalitarianism and Facist extremism than the sentiments expressed above.

Our system of government is built both on perpetual questioning and never-ending _mistrust_ of government. To demand proof and justification and responsibility from our leaders _would_ be criminal treason in a totalitarian regime; but it is the very cornerstone of Democracy.

bq. We, I hope, shall adhere to our republican government and keep it to its original principles by narrowly watching it. [ ??"Thomas Jefferson":http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7842/archives/quote015.htm?? ]

If we are the greatest country in the world with the best political system in the world, I wonder why so many _conservatives_ are so eager to destroy it and replace it with a totalitarian nightmare.

??Original link via a far-too-terse “Atrios”:http://atrios.blogspot.com/2004_12_26_atrios_archive.html#110435305436625167??

Posted in What The...?!?