Re: More evidence that democracy is bunk

At 3:11 8/2/96, Deranged Mutant wrote:

>If they were asked if they minded random searches of their bags and
>belongings or required to carry photo-ID wherever they went, to be
>presented on demand, would they still be willing?

You bet. I remember a war on drugs releated poll from a few years back in
which a majority supported warrantless searches of their homes.



-- Lucky Green <mailto:shamrock@netcom.com> PGP encrypted mail preferred.
   Defeat the Demopublican Unity Party. Vote no on Clinton/Dole in November.
   Vote Harry Browne for President.

Lucky Green wrote:

> At 3:11 8/2/96, Deranged Mutant wrote:
> 
> >If they were asked if they minded random searches of their bags and
> >belongings or required to carry photo-ID wherever they went, to be
> >presented on demand, would they still be willing?

> You bet. I remember a war on drugs releated poll from a few years 
> back in which a majority supported warrantless searches of their homes.

RAW was fond of pointing out that in spite of the current love of
democratic government, free societies are actually infrequent and
short-lived blips on the historical landscape.  

Something about basic human nature and "all you have to do is rock 
the boat a little and the people will beg the government to take their
rights away."

Since the government is usually in the best position to do any 
necessary cage-rattling, perpetual freedom is an illusory concept. 

--
     Mike Duvos         $    PGP 2.6 Public Key available     $
     mpd@netcom.com     $    via Finger.                      $

Lucky Green writes:

>At 3:11 8/2/96, Deranged Mutant wrote:
>
>>If they were asked if they minded random searches of their bags and
>>belongings or required to carry photo-ID wherever they went, to be
>>presented on demand, would they still be willing?
>
>You bet. I remember a war on drugs releated poll from a few years back in
>which a majority supported warrantless searches of their homes.
>

At last month's SAFE (crypto policy) conference, one of the
legislators mentioned that someone snuck the text of the
Fourth Amendment into the crime bill, and it was voted down
in committee.

(It would be nice to dig this out of a transcript, so it doesn't
become an urban legand.)

Martin Minow
minow@apple.com