If existing laws were enforced, 9-11 terrorists would have been deported before they could have done what they did.
Law enforcement agencies are not supposed to draft legislation — they’re supposed to enforce/support existing laws.
I expound on why I say the following here.
From an emotional perspective, the (1) escalating hypervigilance of the government compounded by (2) abuses/imbalance (including but not limited to imbalance of powers) and (3) failure to protect feels eerily like (drum roll) … my abusive ex.
Yup, that sounds about right!
There is, I have noticed, an extremely disturbing tendency of late in this country to excuse almost anything the current administration does as protection of the citizenry from terrorist threat. Americans seem to be falling for it everytime that foul little monkey we call “president” sputters in indignation that if we dare to question anything at all that we are a)unpatriotic and b) that we are supporting terrorists. “I’ll do anything it takes to protect this country from terrorists…” This is the favorite refrain.
The lines that create the balance of power have become so blurry as to be nearly nonexistent. Everytime a question is raised about Dubyah overstepping (overLEAPing perhaps is more accurate) the bounds of presidential power, he holds a press conference, pitches a hissy and then that’s the end of it. Does the fault lie with Congress, with the American Public or what? A loved one of mine puts it best when he says “People get the government they deserve”. I used to argue with that, being the optimist-idealist that I am (a deadly combination). But when I see us just rolling over, showing belly when the big dog snaps, I have to say, that it is sadly, probably true.
Sorry for the rant! Sari, you really did make me think and your article raised my passions!