We imagine that we have rights. In truth what we have are privileges which may at any time be revoked.
"If you have only the right remain silent and to an attorney, you have lost the rest." - Jack Hunt -
"Any nation at any time may take away the rights of its citizens; even the right to life." - Aspasia -
We imagine that we have rights. In truth what we have are privileges which may at any time be revoked. What we believe are our rights are rapidly being taken from us in the name of Homeland Security. Bush is supplanting our 'rights' with laws which are to supposedly protect us. Already phone records are being inspected by the government without court order and a tap on a person's phone may be ordered without court order.
The bill which passed the Senate 9-28-06 allows the president to undermined international law and basic human rights. Foreign nationals suspected of terrorism may be interrogated as the president sees fit. This may not include torture or rape, but there are many types of interrogation which we would not permit a citizen of our country to undergo which will be allowed. For example, many suspected terrorists have been held in prison in Cuba and in other secret CIA prisons according to a report in the Daily Oklahoman for as long as five years without a trial. Forms of interrogation which are considered acceptable would be withholding food and water, using drugs to interrogate, and many other methods I do not know. Not mutilation, but torture as most Americans would see it. Or are we losing our humanity.
The idea is that these things will help to protect us. Soon there may come a bill similar to this denying Americans of their legal rights, the few that we have; if the president should happen to not like you; much like Nixon, but on a larger scale.
Our paranoia is turning us into slaves, rather than a free society. We are losing any right to privacy. Further, it seems that the flow of terrorists is never ending. Could it be because they are fighting for their freedom to live as they have chosen to live for centuries. What happens when we have lost our rights and the president starts appointing our leaders instead of us voting for them. It is almost that way now. Money buys the elections. The party in power controls most of the money. Is Homeland Security worth all we are giving up? Are we creating more terrorists than we are eliminating? There are a lot of Muslims and we are making ourselves appear to be a threat to them all. Are we not terrorizing them?
The day is probably coming when for daring to think differently than the president about national security you could be taken into custody and punished without a trial. Is that the kind of security we are wanting? That doesn't make me feel secure. I often find myself disagreeing with leadership in this country. Our country has been built on the foundation of being able to disagree and to speak out about it. Are we losing this freedom? I am afraid that we may be.
Did you know that the Federal Communications Commission which controls media is not under the constitutional provision of free speech? It is allowed to censor our quote, "Free Press". If the press can't speak out or doesn't want to, what hope have we? Mass communication is essential.
As writers you need to participate and write and try to publish you views. Is the pen still mightier than the sword?
Are you aware of the rights Bush is taking away from you and other citizens of the world.
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Comments
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I guess that we old knights must strap on our armor and take up our sword when duty calls. Allpoetry gives us the opportunity and we shouldn't waste it. The Writer's Market lists more than 2,000 publishers, some which may be interested in your work. "Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country." I have several columns which may interest you. If you like I will send you some links.
Andy -
Couldn't agree more. I am struggling with how free I feel to write and say what I want to say and write. I guess if i feel that then I have already lost part of my freedom in my mind. Your essay has sparked my thoughts and heart. You have brought a few important things to the forefront of this old mind of mine.
Thank you,
David -
I am glad that you like it. Thanks for reading, commenting, and applauding.
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Bill Mahar said on his show last night.Osama &Co. haven't attacked us lately due to the fact Bush is punishing us enough already. Good write of fast track fading rights. Welcome to home grown terrorism.~~Suseann
Edited on Sep 30, 12:36 because ''. -
Good idea, Rosita. Perhaps I will write an essay about how great America is. You are right that I should, probably all American writers should. Sometimes it seems that we, myself especially; focus only on the problems.
Andy -
You are questioning the leaders yes fine go for it. But perhaps you could write an essay about how wonderful this Country is. What it has done for you in your life, what you have learned, gained and gotten from it that you couldn't anywhere else.
and you still haven't fixed your statement. -
I love the United States. I have no desire to live anywhere else. However, we have and should use the right to question our leadership when we feel it is not right, Rosita. If the trend continues, we may lose the right to question our leaders. That is what this essay is about.
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No it isnt a question because there is no question mark at the end. Where would you like to live if you're not satisfied with the United States? have you researched other places to live?
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deep
hmmm well this was a very deep read and thought provoking.Very detailed
I didn't know some of this.Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Kari -
I think it is a question.
Sometimes I get the crazy notion that I might be able to do something to make things better. -
Or are we losing our humanity.
That is a statement, not a question fix it.
I don't really feel the effects of what you say is happening yet. Perhaps because I am living under a rock and constantly trying to prevent myself from being censored in anyway shape or form.
We have privacy BUT we can't be totally private because so many numskulls are now screwing it up. I think that we still are the best country, but with Bush " in power " we're just losing it. But times are changing what do you really expect with a world that isn't certain about anything? -
No comment. Can you tell?
Dr. Phil often quotes, "We create what we fear." Terrorists and those "in war against terrorism" are scared of each other and creating what they fear "defending" themselves by being on the offensive.
Usama bin Laden said his goal is to bankrupt USA with military effort costs, Homeland Security costs etc. etc. etc. The cost of fear.
Meanwhile, the Mexican government is giving pamphlets to it's poor on how to ILLEGALLY enter USA and backhandedly apply for government benefits and even vote by exploiting laws there to protect those LEGALLY in USA. $22.4 Million to treat those ILLEGALLY in USA at Parkland Hospital alone. Twelve Million Mexicans ILLEGALLY in USA now and counting.
Some say President George W. Bush is being supportive of Guest Worker program since his nephew, Prescott, is Hispanic for, even if in USA illegally, in many cities Mexicans in USA illegally can still vote if a resident. If President George W. Bush didn't the democrats would because it is pretty obvious our leaders cannot see beyond their own noses and one after the other shown to be a crook too spending most of their time campaigning to stay in office than attend to the business of AMERICA. They don't care who votes for them even if people BREAKING THE LAW being in USA illegally. All the partisan rhetoric that is going on is exactly how terrorists snuck in back door and is exactly how Mexican government is aiding and abetting illegal entry into USA providing pamphlets to poor to do just that with a map and guidelines of backhandedly applying for government benefits in USA and even how to vote while in USA illegally.
Hazelton, Pennsylvania was going into the red since so many ILLEGALLY in USA there so Mayor took a stand to enforce immigration laws. Other nationalities discriminated against with speedy apprehension of Egyptian students for immigration violations, this year, while Mexicans are adided and abetted with printings and automated messages and bi-lingual jobs to aid and abet Mexicans in USA illegally. Those printings and automated messages in Spanish can be added to tally of monies sucked from Americans to aid and abet Mexicans in USA illegally yet not done for other nationalities so a discriminatory practice not offered to other nationalities. Former President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower saw the problem for the invasion it was and is and attended to in 1954. Some say Pat Buchanan's book "State of Emergency" sizes up overall situation pretty well. I don't know as I have not read.
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Go for it my friend and the best of luck, I’ll hold thumbs for you and give my support where possible.
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I am beginning to try to get involved politically again. I have been inactive for about two years.
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I believe what you’re saying Andy. I think the biggest problem is that people everywhere will rather keep accepting than standing up for themselves. If we stand up for ourselves, we can make a change.
The problem with this is that you need to form unity amongst the people or all would be to no avail.
“One man can start a battle, but only a unified group can enforce changes”.
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Douw, It is really difficult to make an impression in the present atmosphere with the Bush Administration. He keeps lying his way along and people keep accepting it. I don't understand why, he is clearly dishonest in my opinion.
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Andy I’m not up to date with politics, but in general I agree with you. Do we indeed have rights left to express ourselves in public or any other place?
From my perspective I would say that the pen can be mightier than the sword but it’s useless if government dictates every single thought.
We should never stop “fighting” or rather writing, what we believe in.
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