Dan Rush’s use of many high-falutin’ words (Letters, June 19) might give the impression he knows what he is talking about, but the content of his emotional rant removes any doubt of him being ignorant of his own country’s history, ignorant of the history of civil rights and ignorant of the basic foundations of democracy he enjoys living in.
He attacks the very right of citizens to question the tactics of their government, instead preferring that they “put their faith in themselves, their soldiers and their leaders.” If Rush would take a few moments and read even the most abridged version of world history he would see that this type of submission by the people has almost always resulted in the destruction of the freedoms Rush lauds and professes to care for. Then followed civil unrest that relegates the death toll of Sept. 11 almost to the point of insignificance.
He almost certainly has no concept of how, by limiting the cherished freedoms we enjoy, terrorists are achieving much more than their original goals. Ask yourself this: Would Osama Bin Laden be irritated knowing we are now subject to random search? Maybe Rush might think so, but I’m guessing most other Americans wouldn’t. Rush might also consider that the freedoms he would so easily give up were fought for by our forefathers, and would most likely never be given back. His quick read on world history would show him that too.
His mean and shallow attack on the ACLU shows his comprehension of events is at the most simplistic level. The ACLU is interpreting the Bill of Rights and its amendments in defending people’s desire to gather as groups. He may not approve of this particular group (NAMBA), as I don’t and I’m sure most don’t, but if we allow someone to decide who can and can’t gather, then one person or group gets to decide the fate of others (I know this is over simplifying, but it seems Rush needs it).
No-one in their right mind wants terrorism to exist in any form in any country, but what Rush fails to see is that terrorism takes many forms. Rush may take comfort in the fact that thanks to the ever vigilant members of “putrid trash” such as the ACLU, he can go about his daily business free from the fear, victimization and intrusion common in almost every other country on the globe, which funnily enough seems to be his wish too.
Scott Hiddelston
Oak Harbor
