Lois Eisenberg, a person I admire and respect on a personal level, has expressed her objections to my statements on a more political level (June 19). She has that right, and I respect her right to do that. This letter is going to be about rights, and the “proper” exercising of those rights. My initial response to Lois’ letter is that there is a time and place for everything.
For example, one may have the “right” to do many things, but I would consider conducting a political protest at a sporting event like the Olympics to be rude and tasteless, and bringing a loaded weapon to a hostile public demonstration to be downright dangerous. Sure, you have the right to do it, but don’t cry foul when you get rocks thrown at you. That being said, there are other things that nobody has the right to do anytime or anywhere. As far as I know, nobody has the right to enter another country “willy-nilly,” as it were. Such things are not permitted by any law that I’m aware of, which is why we have policies, police and procedures to “process” them, duly or otherwise. Try to say that without spitting.
I still don’t see the United States as being anywhere near a “police state,” but I am convinced there are many in this country who are active advocates for anarchy.
Arthur Saginian
Santa Clarita
