> On Fri, Dec 27, 2002 at 02:17:55AM -0000, sscott@iinet.net.au wrote:
> > The absolute truth is that I would prefer that 100 terrorists were 
killed 
> > or tortured to my family suffering any harm whatsoever. I dont even 
mind 
> > if some of them are wrongly accused. 
>                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> > Freedom has its limits. You want to fly planes into large buildings, 
or 
> > bomb a night club full of drunk Aussies, then I think perhaps you have 
> > defaulted your rights to protection under the 'rules'. If youre nice 
and 
> > peaceful and good to your fellow man, then you have nothing to fear.
>                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> Do you see the contradiction here?  This is the the reason we have
> this thing called due process.  It should be extended to everyone.

Not at all! You forget one important distinction - us and them. 

> 
> This is not war, despite the war on terrorism tag.  It's revenge.
> Yes, the events on 11/9/2001 were terrible, but the fix is even more
> terrible.

I disagree. It is a war. Maybe not in the classic sense (we wont be 
fighting on the beaches) but it is a war. Just because the US and UK have 
become so good at war that we are shielded from much of it, doesnt mean it 
isnt a war. Hell, the conflict in Afghanistan stopped being front page 
news after a few weeks,but there were guys on the ground shooting other 
guys on the ground. Looked like a war to me.

Actually, we are kinda arguing the same point - we both think its revenge, 
but have different positions on whether thats a bad thing or a good thing.

> 
> BTW, I don't believe you'd feel the same way if you or your family
> were wrongly accused.

Thats the point - my family wouldnt be wrongly accused. We are on 
the 'good side'. If youre part of the 'bad side', or sit somewhere in the 
grey area in between, then you may be wrongly accused. Lesson: make sure 
you're on the 'good side'.

BTW, I don't believe you'd feel the same way if you or your family were 
directly threatened by extremists with guns and explosives. 



> 
> 

