Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 11:56:57 -0400
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at mail.press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: going to Worldcon
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

>
>>The scary thing about an ID requirement for air travel is that implies
>>that the government has, or plans to have, a list of undesirables.
>>Otherwise, what use would there be in demanding ID?  The 9-11 hijackers
>>had ID.  A few years ago, a Libertarian I know took a vacation and
>>visited Russia.  While there he was summoned to the U.S. embassy, and
>>asked there 'you're a Libertarian, aren't you?'.  Apparently the intent
>>was to warn him about activities which might get him into trouble in
>>Russia, so the intent was apparently benign, but the clear implication =
is
>>that the federal government has a computerized list of Americans which
>>includes political affiliations.
>
>I don't know. I can ALMOST always spot a libertarian within about 2 =
minutes
>of conversation, and I don't have a list of Americans including =
political
>affiliation. And I think most politically savvy folks can usually infer =
a
>rough-but-accurate sense of my political viewpoints within a few minutes =
of
>conversation, unless I am deliberately obscuring my opinions. Conspiracy=

>theories can make for good movies, but I just don't believe in them in
>government in the real world. There are too many checks and balances, =
and
>even if there weren't, there aren't enough people who are that organized.
>
>That said, I agree with the underlying point that our civil rights are
>being seriously eroded by the various anti-terrorism law enforcement
>policies. Interestingly enough, at the Bruce Springsteen concert on
>Saturday, that point was made quite powerfully. Springsteen announced, =
just
>before the concert finale, that he had two public service announcements =
he
>wanted to make. The first was to ask people to donate to the Capital =
Area
>Food Bank volunteers who would be outside when we left, and the second
>was
>telling the audience that governmental reaction to the events of =
September
>11 has left our civil rights under attack, and reminding the audience
>standing up for civil rights is one of the responsibilities given to =
us
>when we are born in the USA. Wherepon he launched into "Born in the =
USA."
>I
>was at the show under protest as my girlfriend has much more interest =
in
>large crowded concerts than I have, but it was her birthday, so I went. =
I'm
>glad I did. I have a new respect for Springsteen after those remarks, and =
I
>cried during two of the songs about September 11.
>
>Liza Kessler

Springsteen has interesting politics; but more importantly: you were able =
to go the show.  Argh, sigh.

 have great memories of his 4+ hour long shows at the Cap Center.

mjw