[Leica] Geesh - and we though camera people had it tough

[doubs43 at cox.net (Walker Smith)]

>
>
>Guys,
>
>I totally accept Walkers comments. He is right to love and defend a
>perceived attack on his country. But that was not what I did. A country is
>more than its politics...WAY MORE.
>I am a journalist. It's my job (and nature) to facilitate and engage in
>intelligent discussion on all things social and cultural. I was commenting
>on the current state security and political hysteria.
>  
>
Thank you, Greg for a reasoned and polite reply. It would have mattered 
little who was in the White House on 11 September, 2001. The rush to 
provide security would still be subject to the same, obvious mistakes we 
now see. As so often happens in the early stages of any government run 
program, the best people are not hired and that's also true of security 
forces in other areas as has been amply reported on this forum. US 
Citizens, by and large, want to feel secure but not at the expense of 
inconvenience. That puts the airlines in a quandry. They don't want to 
alienate the flyers but security that's too strict is likely to do just 
that. However, let something happen because security didn't catch it and 
watch their survivors line up to sue the airlines. It's a "Catch-22".

We also do not have the years of experience that Israeli airport 
security has and it makes a difference. We're trying but it takes time. 
Let something happen North of our border up your way and see how quickly 
your security procedures become draconian.

>...but to defend one actions or government by talking about a 50 year old
>war (long before I was born) has no relevance in a discussion with me. The
>point is that we were suppose to move one, learn from the ugliness of the
>past and stop using it as an excuse or defence for anything. 
>  
>
That 59 year-old war is not irrelevant to me or outside of my lifetime. 
The present day shape of Europe and much of the rest of the world is 
tied directly to that war and those that preceeded it. It would be wrong 
to predicate any argument based only on events following 11 September. 
But, I can understand anyone who criticizes the United States would also 
be quick to dismiss or wish to keep silent about the millions of deaths 
that their own follies caused. I won't allow them to feel morally 
superior when their own history is filled with unthinkable horrors and 
most of it over nationalist fervor and the quest for power.

>As I pointed out to someone offlist, I love the people of the United States
>(I have a lot of family there) I love the ideals of the US constitution and
>this is why I comment. If I didn't care I would not have said anything.
>I USED to love travelling in the USA  and I miss it.
>
>I am not criticizing the American people but the current state politics
>which allows a government to tread all over the constitution and freedoms of
>people who I care about and are supposed to be the pinnacle of freedom and
>democracy to the world.
>  
>
The Constitution and Bill of Rights have been under attack almost since 
day one. Those in this country who would turn us into another Socialist 
Paradise in spite of the historical evidence that it doesn't work,  have 
been hard at it for many years. The "General Welfare" clause has been 
distorted beyond anything imagined by the Founding Fathers who would 
have been much more specific on many levels had they but known. Same 
goes for Interstate Commerce regulations. When Leftists can't achieve 
their goals at t5he ballot box or in Congress, they rely on activist 
Judges to legislate law from the bench in spite of only Congress beiong 
authorized to do so.

>Remember, just because one loves one's country and people doesn't mean it
>has to defend, agree with or condone the actions of ones government or
>political class. There is a difference between the people and the state.
>  
>
I am one of the government's hashest critics, especially when almost 
half of income earners don't pay a penny of income tax. An article in 
Sunday's paper wrote of 39 million people living in 4 person homes that 
are "poor". Reading deeper into the story, the statement is made that 
some of these people had to actually make choices to save for their 
children's college or for a larger home. Geeeeez....... maybe they'll 
have to keep watching that 36 inch TV instead of a new plasma wide-screen.

>Don't be too hard on Walker, he has his beliefs and is entitled to them.
>This is a right enshrined in that wonderful constitution. It's just a matter
>of a/ he believes everything the authorities do is fine or b/ he doesn't
>feel that citizens should criticize their government. Either way, he fine
>with that and so be it.
>  
>
There's also c...... Walker believes that criticism of his country 
belongs on other forums such as the one I linked. There's plenty of 
bashing from all sides on that forum. I'm actually damned independent 
and want the government in my life as little as possible.

>As for airport security, it's not a matter of having security or not. It's a
>matter of doing it in an intelligent and effective manner inorder catch bad
>guy and not to assault your innocent citizens while trying to protect them.
>It defeats the purpose and only turns the citizenry against you.
>  
>
Exactly. It will come with time and experience but you may rest assured 
that without regard for which party occupies the White House, another 
and possibly more serious terror attack WILL happen within the US. It's 
only a matter of time as I knew long before 11 September. As career 
military, I was briefed (always classified) on a regular basis about the 
internal and foreign terrorist threats that the nation faced. The only 
thing that amazed me is why it took as long as it did.

>The USA is currently a country seriously divided almost evenly along
>political lines, polarizing quickly and it may well be facing the most
>important election in its history. The outcome of which will have a
>significant impact on the rest of the world as well.
>  
>
That's why voting in this election is so deadly important and why 
choosing correctly is just as important.

>....civility and reason come first.
>
When your enemy is neither civil nor reasonable, how do you deal with them?

Walker