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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: epicure who wrote (7260)	12/18/2005 1:01:34 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 541370

seattlepi.nwsource.com

To: epicure who wrote (7260)	12/18/2005 9:30:21 AM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 541370

when it comes to abridging freedom, or privacy, you don't seem to bat an eyelash Let's review the bidding. I started here: Message 21981735 What I hear from one side is: we need to protect ourselves from the terrorists who want us all dead, what's the matter with you that you don't get that. What I hear from the other side is: our liberties are being dismantled, what's the matter with you that you don't get that. So my intrepid self is still trying to find out just what provisions of the Patriot Act are necessary to protect us, how it is that they protect us, and just what actual harm would occur should they not be available. And trying to find out just what liberties are being dismantled and just what actual harm would occur from that. I do this so I can weigh harm against harm, risk against risk, and make sense of the debate so I can have an informed opinion. I undertake this quest, in part, by questioning the people on both sides searching for insight into that essential harm. I haven't found it yet. What I encounter on your side are broad trust issues re the government, general discomfort with snooping, and risk intolerance. What I encounter on the other side are unmitigated fear of terrorists, general anxiety about the resolve of the populace to fight the bad guys, and risk intolerance. Both sides want perfect protection, but protection from different things. I have heard few specifics and still am unclear on the actual pros and cons of any provisions. I'm wondering if there are any.