Re: (erielack) Re: CNN interview.

["Joshua" <mail_@_joshuakblay.com>]

I was wondering if there would have been more to the story if the plane
crash in Toronto hadn't happened, I honestly thought there would be more
to it (the bit on railfanning).

Joshua

> Watched Paula Zahn last night and her coverage was on The Enabling --
oh,  
> excuse me, The Patriot Act and what broad powers it now gives
governmental  
> agencies in investigating suspected threats against the homeland.
Perhaps the  
> most disturbing is that proposed changes in The Enabling (there I go
again,  
> sorry) Patriot Act will allow law enforcement snoop through your records  
> (library, telephone, bank, personal finance, etc.) without having to
go before a  
> judge to get approval. Now THAT is disturbing.  
> 
> The lead off story was a  well-deserved reblackening of Metra's eye  over 
> those two fellas harassed at Morton Grove several months ago. It's one
 thing to 
> ask someone what they are doing and why (and I have been asked that 
question 
> several times and really have no problem with that) -- but to have a 
cop tell 
> someone that "The Constitution (or any part of it) has been superceded
 by 
> The Patriot Act" is really outrageous.
>  
> It appears that unless you have authored a book or had  your byline
appear in 
> a magazine (in which case you can prove that this is  your hobby), you
may be 
> detained while pursuing your hobby. (As it turns out, I  have both -- but 
> come on, how many people have -- meaning that a  majority of the fans
cannot come 
> up with that kind of  proof.)   It fills me with fear that personal
liberties 
> are being  "bushed" by The Enabling (damn, sorry) Patriot Act. 
>  
> The government has the right to decide what books are OK to  read (by 
> accessing your library card transactions) what television you  may
watch (with cable, 
> the government might be able to obtain records to see  what you
watched) the 
> next stop is your lifestyle -- like making sure that who  you sleep
with is 
> you lawfully wedded spouse (remember, our President supports  "family
values"),  
> what foods you eat ("junk food is not good for you -- so  we will take
it out 
> of the school cafeterias and force McDonalds' to serve  healthy food 
> choices") and what habits you have (it is one thing to tell me I 
cannot smoke in a 
> public building or on a bus or train -- but God Bless a Milk  Cow, if
I pay for 
> the damn car  I darn well ought to be able to smoke my  stinky cigar
in it -- 
> although I see the state of New Jersey is considering  taking that
right away 
> from me too).
>  
>  
> Anyway, enough tirade for now (although I'd better enjoy that right
before  
> it is taken away as well).
>  
> Bill Shapotkin
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 

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