Hi Gary, what troubles me much these days is the use of language in a way that inflames instead of in a way that helps us all come to either the "truth" or consensus. This Judge looked at the laws and looked at the actions of those involved and made a decision that there is a problem there -- their actions were outside of what the law currently allows.
If she's right (and that can be examined in higher courts, such is the system of checks and balances), and we want a government that is unrestricted in it's ability to covertly examine that which has been protected as a right to privacy, then we need to change the laws, actually amend the constitution/bill of rights. A government that ignores the law and does whatever it wishes is a dictatorship. I know that you cannot want that even though you are looking for strong decisive leadership.
Another right given to us by the founding fathers is free speech. The press, in the past, has played the role of the watchdog letting us know what our elected officials are doing. I am extremely reluctant to label news as treason when the news brings to light something that is in violation of existing law or the constitution. Again, it's vital to have a government that is of the law.
If we crush every opinion, judgement, verdict that differs from the approved version of truth, then are we living in a democracy? Is this the land of the free? It's our differences and willingness to work through those together that has built America and made it great. If our differences are used to divide one another, then we will end up with chaos that will make everyones life, everyones future, miserable.
--Coz |
