Spring Break
Letter to the Editor
Editor's note: The following letter is in response to "Patriot Act protection necessary" by Seth Hancock, which appeared in the Apr. 13 issue of the WC.
Kerri Hacker
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Opinion
To be a credible columnist, Seth Hancock needs to similarly use credible sources. In this piece, Hancock uses sources from such reputable places as Fahrenhype 9/11 (this is comparable to a liberal citing Fahrenheit 9/11 - both are propaganda), Dick Morris (now a commentator on Fox News - quite possibly the most biased news in America), and Rich Lowry (a conservative in the same vein as Ann Coulter).
Now, I personally disagree that the Patriot Act is a good thing. As much as I welcome certain government agencies reading my e-mail, listening to my telephone conversations, and checking my records - medical, student, library, whatever - without a warrant, probable cause, or even without me ever knowing... oh wait, no I don't. This act basically says that every American should be monitored as a terrorist. Hey, here's an idea: instead of treating innocent Americans this way in order to quell terrorism, let's actually listen to some of the warnings we receive before attacks happen. Like, say, the warning that Bush received in August 2001 that bin Laden and gang had plans to hijack commercial planes here in America. This bit of information, by the way, was found on The Guardian and confirmed by the White House; this was not just spouted off by Michael Moore and taken as fact - see how that works?
However, I think this paraphrased quote from Voltaire sums up my feelings here quite well: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Even though I am against the Patriot Act, Mr. Hancock, this does not mean that I hate freedom; in fact, the very reason why I am so against this act is because I love freedom.
Now, I personally disagree that the Patriot Act is a good thing. As much as I welcome certain government agencies reading my e-mail, listening to my telephone conversations, and checking my records - medical, student, library, whatever - without a warrant, probable cause, or even without me ever knowing... oh wait, no I don't. This act basically says that every American should be monitored as a terrorist. Hey, here's an idea: instead of treating innocent Americans this way in order to quell terrorism, let's actually listen to some of the warnings we receive before attacks happen. Like, say, the warning that Bush received in August 2001 that bin Laden and gang had plans to hijack commercial planes here in America. This bit of information, by the way, was found on The Guardian and confirmed by the White House; this was not just spouted off by Michael Moore and taken as fact - see how that works?
However, I think this paraphrased quote from Voltaire sums up my feelings here quite well: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Even though I am against the Patriot Act, Mr. Hancock, this does not mean that I hate freedom; in fact, the very reason why I am so against this act is because I love freedom.
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cnotk
cnotk
posted 4/15/05 @ 7:06 PM CST
If we were told of every warning that came down the pike, we would quit paying any attention (sort of like every Tom, Dick, and Harry vehicle on the road nowadays covered in flashing lights). (Continued…)
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