Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 19:58:03 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
From: Candy Madigan <candymadigan at mindspring.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: going to Worldcon
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

At 11:49 AM 08/12/2002 -0400, you wrote:

> >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.

Amen.  The assumption that the government is that competent is ludicrous.

>That said, I agree with the underlying point that our civil rights are
>being seriously eroded by the various anti-terrorism law enforcement
>policies.

I totally agree.

>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

Candy