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Everyone's
talking about terrorism these days, but my family and I have experienced
terrorism – up close and personal. We survived our terrorist
attack and, in the process, we learned a great deal about how
state-sponsored terrorism actually operates in America today.
In
our case, our home was invaded early in the morning. We were robbed
at gunpoint and then kidnapped. These terrorists even tried, though
unsuccessfully, to extort $200,000 (in bail) from us. Worst of
all, these terrorists had badges, and were empowered by laws that
were originally passed to be used against "drug lords."
Despite the fact that we were lawfully exercising rights granted
to us by a medical marijuana law we helped to pass, we found ourselves
facing 19 criminal counts.
After
two and a half years and a quarter of a million dollars in legal
expenses, a jury acquitted us and we regained our freedom, but
little else. Even though we had proved our innocence, none of
the terrorists involved were ever punished for this illegal raid,
nor was any of the property stolen from us returned, not even
the data off of our computers. But we survived and sought an escape
from such terror in the freedom and wildness of British Columbia.
From
the safety of Canada, we now watch in horror as America's police
and military are handed the keys to the country. Because of our
experience with "drug lord" laws being used against
our family, we understand that, with the passage of the "U.S.A.
Act," the Constitution has effectively been suspended and
martial law imposed.
Our
leaders assure us that Congress is standing up to terrorists by
passing this law, but just the opposite is true. Congress is refusing
to stand up for the freedom and rights that are the heritage of
all Americans. Congress is failing to use its Constitutional power
(and fulfill its Constitutional obligation) to check and balance
the other branches of government. Cowering before the police,
the military, and public hysteria, Congress is bartering away
our rights.
The
USA Act may be the greatest act of appeasement since Chamberlain
waved a piece of paper in the air and told the British they were
safe from Hitler. Congress has just handed over unprecedented
and unconstitutional powers to the police. Have we forgotten that
these are the same police who just a few months ago were making
headlines for violating human rights, profiling minorities, placing
a third of black males under the control of the criminal justice
system, and planting guns and drugs on innocent young men in Los
Angeles?
No
one has the right to barter away rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Yes it's horrific that 5,000 innocent people were so brutally
slaughtered on 9/11. But what about the hundreds of thousands
of brave American patriots who willingly gave their lives to defend
the guarantee of inalienable rights? Who will speak up on behalf
of these brave patriots who paid the ultimate price to preserve
our heritage of freedom?
The
American patriots that created and bravely defended our Constitution
and Bill of Rights deserve to be heard. If they were alive today,
they would be outraged.
Benjamin
Franklin would remind us: "They that can give up essential
liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty
nor safety," and, "Wherever liberty dwells, there be
my country."
Wise
old Thomas Jefferson would then raise his voice and with calm
firmness explain that rights are indivisible and can never be
separated from us by any law or government. "A free people
[claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not
as the gift of their chief magistrate."
Then
a hush would fill the air, as everyone turned and faced the great
general and first President, George Washington. The assembled
patriots would all show their deeply-held respect for Washington
– an American legend, whose death inspired the proclamation,
"First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his
countrymen!"
The
Founding Father of the United States of America would then speak
directly to every citizen in America and repeat the warnings he
issued upon leaving the White House: "Over grown military
establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to
liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican
liberty. . . Government is not reason. It is not eloquence. It
is a force, like fire: a dangerous servant and a terrible master."
Steve
Kubby was 1998 Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of California.
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