From: keyser-soze@hushmail.com To: cypherpunks@lne.com Subject: Fwd: Re: FC: Sen. Hollings plans to introduce DMCA sequel: The SSSCA Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 12:06:53 -0700

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From: Someone

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Working to keep our neighbors awake and informed is our best hope, in my view - that is the only way democracy will ever work.

Historically this has often failed (e.g., the lack of outcry against Japanese internment camps). Neighboors are willing to sell their liberty and their neighbors at the drop of a hat if someone in government promises

----- Forwarded Message ----- them greater security, even though these same liars failed them time and time again.

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Since the New Deal Americans and corporations have become increasingly

reliant on government to provide for them, shield them from their own poor judgement and folly and transfer the responsibility to the rest of us. (Citizens of a like mind should structure upcoming tax filings to deduct Congress' largess to the airlines and others). We cannot depend on these cowards and weaklings.

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You'll notice that no Declaration of War was formally given. Even so

Congress has moved to curtail civil liberties. From my perspective both life and liberty are equally dear. Those that attempt to take either I will treat the same.

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Its time to water the tree...

I'm tired of hearing my fellow Americans referred to as cowards, weaklings, sheep, ignorant, easily mislead - this is a profoundly undemocratic sentiment, the same kind of crap spewed by totalitarian and authoritarian types from the far left and the far right as justification for abandonment of the democratic process and the use of force to impose their ideology on the rest of us. It is the cry of someone unwilling to do the hard work of actually speaking to their fellow and convincing them of the rightness of the cause being professed; the frustrated rant of someone who is convinced he or she has "The Truth" on their side - the same opinion shared by Timothy McVeigh, Osma Bin Ladin, and folks of a similar ilk. I won't deny that I think our government is unduly influenced by factions (from certain labor unions to untold numbers of corporations) with financial and other interests at stake, but my answer is to become a more dedicated citizen, to work harder to educate my fellow citizens and elected representatives about what I think is right and just. I refuse to give up on our way of life, my fellow citizens, or to write off my government as completely and irredemably lost. To do so is criminally irresponsible, in my view. *** I encourage everyone to read this book - it says more about the strengths and weaknesses of this country (and more importantly, the "cowards" and "weaklings" who make it work) than anything I've ever read. It is written by an Arab-American and a profound patriot, someone whose life represents the American dream in all it's glory and gore. America, More Than a Country by Salom Rizk Book Description Salom Rizk, author of this autobiography, was born in 1909 in a tiny poverty-stricken town in Syria. Two brothers and an uncle in Iowa paid his passage to the United States, but he arrived penniless, homeless and with no knowledge of the language. The story of his incredible experience in self-education and his rise to one of the most sought-after and inspirational speakers on American lecture platforms is contained in "America, more than a Country." http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564922979/qid=999899722/002-6041749-... The Chicago Tribune "This is the kind of book you pick up to skim through and find yourself reading every word avidly...It's excellent to read aloud to the family -much more effective than pompous essays of freedom." Regards, Thomas Leavitt -- Thomas Leavitt -- thomasleavitt@hotmail.com; ICQ #16455919 http://www.internetmanifesto.org/ http://www.sczenkarate.org/ http://www.space.org/ http://www.gnosis.org/ Wired since 1981. Internet enabled since 1990. Web enabled since 1993. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp