🚀 go-pugleaf

On Mon, 23 Jun 1997, Graeme J Quinn wrote:

> 
> 
> >* Put hidden cameras at traffic lights to take secret photographs
> >of license plates of vehicles that run afoul of red lights.
> 
> Good thing, too.   Also they should put cameras to catch those who speed
> as well.  How much more safer will the roads be when the incidences of
> speeding and running red lights are reduced....

Agreed, just because authorities are getting better at enforcing laws
doesn't mean that they are invading our privacy.  When they start putting
cameras in our homes i will complain.  (on a side note, they are putting
cameras in our school, this bugs me.  the reason they are doing it is
because they had money left over in the construction fund.  meanwhile they
are letting teachers go left and right.  i'm not blaming the school board,
its some silly state law that they cant transfer money between funds.
anyway to get back on the subject of the rant...there have been a few
isolated vandalizations in our rural, medium sized school, but nothing to
warrant cameras)

> >* Ban loud car radios on highways, even in rural areas.

I live in a rural area.  Let me tell you, its no less annoying here than
in a highly populated area.

> >* Prohibit "minors" from purchasing butane lighters--supposedly so
> >they don't inhale the gas.
> 
> Bloody good job!  They shouldn't be smoking so they shouldn't need
> butane lighters!  Do they also prohibit the sale of other "sniffable"
> solvents for the same reason?

There are other reasons to buy lighters!  Have you never been camping.  I
have a friend who doesn't smoke or inhale the gas yet carries a lighter
around in case we need fire (which granted doesn't happen all that often).
 
> There are certain freedoms that you can't trust people with, so they
> have to be denied and enforce - such as the freedom to run red lights,
> the freedom to rape children and the freedom to murder those running for
> congress...  

Don't be facetious.  The laws aren't talking about rape or murder.  While
the laws he mentioned could be helpful, they are not as necessary as laws
we have on more serious matters.
 
> Again - personal freedom must sometimes be sacrificed in the name of
> public freedom.  Exactly where that trade-off lies is a matter for
> further debate, but what you cannot deny is that complete and total
> personal freedom for all is just one step short of anarchy.

We haven't defined freedom, and I see that as a problem.  Most people see
freedom as the right to do whatever you choose.  One persons freedom ends
where anothers begins.  Freedom entails responsibilty.  Freedom is this: I
can do whatever the heck I want, as long as it doesn't infringe on you
doing whatever the heck you want and vice verse.


Micah Hoggatt
mhoggatt@grfn.org
"I talk of freedom, you talk of the flag." -Live-