Posted by Kendra Hall on March 24, 2003 at 21:41:12:
In Reply to: Welcome to the Iraq Conflict discussion board posted by Deborah Weiner on March 19, 2003 at 15:11:32:
continuing with the theme of an atmosphere of fear...
Today there are articles in several papers online and in print about the dramatic increase in "the use of two little-known powers that allow authorities to tap telephones, seize bank and telephone records and obtain other information in counterterrorism investigations with no immediate court oversight." Another article speaks of the cost of war and of Congress' unwillingness to stop Bush's request for a tax cut at this time, because they want to support the President. So we will still give a tax cut, while we approve a HUGE dollar cost for this war. Because, to not support the President at this time could be viewed as not being "on the team" and therefore Patriotic. The USA Patriot Act, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) both abrogate fundamental safeguards. Would we be accused of being Un Patriotic if we were to question this?
My point for all of this is simply that when fear is in the air, we are far more willing to give up our rights and protections, the right to free speech and the right to dissent, to name just two. But, when the "crisis" is over, will we be able to resume all of our previous freedoms? Or will we find that the freedom we are spreading abroad has been seriously eroded at home?
I thank you for your thoughtful responses
Kendra