Quote:
Originally posted by TheJimmy
just because an entity is responding to a percieved danger does not mean that the methods by which they choose to deal with it is correct or justified on any level... consider the means by which Hitler decided to handle a perceived danger... however do NOT think that I consider comparing Bush to Hitler a decent model, I'm sure we could find a better pair... My guess is that using the Hitler card is just a good inflamatory way to get a discussion started, no matter how rediculous the example is...
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I'm with you on that. The Patriot Act is not at all something I wish for. It is, however, not historically unprecedented nor even abnormal. Despite the occasional such actions in response to perceived dangers to the nation the political process has always carried on.
"Slippery rope" arguments almost always fail. They fail because they attempt to draw an analogy with one particular place and time. Usually, as in this one, the comparison is to an event or time without even that much in common. What such analogies miss is the dozens maybe even hundreds of analogies which fit the situation better. My previous posts outlined those.
To believe that there has been or is underway a fundamental failure of the American system of governance is nothing but "wishcasting" on the part of America's detractors and the normal fear and loathing from the opposing party among Americans. Such statements are made every decade and with every crisis. They never do materialize.