I Probably Made Some Folks Mad...

I have started writing to the local paper here in Jefferson County, Georgia regarding some of the things that I often just blog about.

Gauging from some of the responses I got, it isn't going too well. Then again, I expected that...

This from the Letters to the Editor on December 22nd:

Dear Editor:

I am totally amazed at the number of people in this great country that are continuously offended by so many things. David Daniels's letter last week makes me wonder if he thinks everybody in his general vicinity should be psychic so as to read his mind and determine he is a good guy, a good father, a good Democrat, etc. and above all, not a terrorist.

I applaud the person who called authorities about Mr. Daniels' picture-taking at Strom Thurmond Lake Dam. As he should be well aware, there have been several arrests made because of photographing certain sites.

How soon we forget. How many of those involved in 9-11 passed for good guys, fathers, etc. and were allowed to continue in their quest to kill "all Americans." Without the assistance of the general populace we will never be able to identify the terrorists who would harm any American in any manner possible.

Does Mr. Daniels not understand that failure of this particular dam would have the City of Augusta under 40 feet of water in less than one hour?

I'm quite certain that his father understands this fact if he is a retired civil engineer.

Terrorists come in different colors, heights, sizes, sexes and national origins. They don't wear an official terrorist uniform or badges to identify themselves as terrorists.

It takes every responsible citizen in the world to identify people who would do others harm simply because of religious differences. It is not possible to provide enough trained personnel to keep the terrorist at bay, so it behooves each and every one of us to be alert to any person or condition that could reasonably be someone or something that is in a position to cause us harm.

Perhaps Mr. Daniels should have consulted his father before writing such irresponsible drivel about his being questioned while photographing the Thurmond Lake Dam. Sabotaging that dam could be as deadly as chemical warfare. Perhaps Mr. Daniels should choose a different backdrop for future photo sessions.

Robert Clements
Louisville

Seems that Mr. Clements did not read my letter too well. It was, in essence, my post from December 5th which at no time stated that:

1. I was in favor of terrorist activity (in fact, I am quite against it)
2. That I had forgotten September 11th (rather I remember it quite well)
3. I was a Democrat (never mentioned political leanings)
4. That I was talking about my father (it was father-in-law)
5. That I was a good father (I am not, to my knowledge ANY type of father!)
6. That my name is Daniels (never has been, never will be)

The main question I have for Mr. Clements is how is he trained to spot terrorists? Do they offer that course down at the VFW? Can you tell them "just cause they look shifty"? Would he have noticed someone like...say... Tim McVeigh... who probably passed for any of the guys out at the deer lease with Mr. Clements last week. Of course, Mr. Clements only wants to spot terrorists based on religious lines, so I guess McVeigh is alright in his book.

The answer is, no, Mr. Clements is not trained to spot terrorists. No one really is. They come in all shapes and sizes - from all walks of life - some even from the same demographic as Mr. Clements.

I think he missed the point. But then, that would be a complex point for someone like Mr. Clements who couldn't get the facts straight on reading a simple newspaper.

The point, plainly stated, is that civil liberties are supposed to be protected in this country. If we become a police state, where everyone is reporting on everyone else, then...the terrorists have won!

I offer, in my defense, a few words from some notable folks...who you may have heard of...

• Those who give up essential liberties for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
  -Benjamin Franklin (My personal favorite)
• Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
  -George Washington
• Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official...
  -Theodore Roosevelt
• What is morally wrong can never be advantageous, even when it enables you to make some gain that you believe to be to your advantage.
  -Cicero
• I am not blaming those who are resolved to rule, only those who show an even greater readiness to submit.
  -Thucydides
• An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.
  -Thomas Paine
• We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.
  -Edward R. Murrow
• May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.
  -Dwight D. Eisenhower
• To announce that there must be no criticism of the president...is morally treasonable to the American public.
  -Theodore Roosevelt
• It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
  -Voltaire

Just some points to think about...whether you are Mr. Clements... or anyone else....