Okay, so I don't normally write two entries in one day. Heck, sometimes I don't write two entries in one week. However, this is really bugging me and if I can't vent about it here, then where can I vent?

Warning, this is going to be a pseudo-educated though very biased quasi-political rant. And, no, it's not about the war.

In fact, it's about home. Specifically the Homeland Defense stuff. More specifically about the Intel employee currently being denied most, if not all, of his Constitutional rights.

For those not familiar with the situation this guy was pulled out of his place of employment and has been sitting in jail for quite awhile without being charged with anything. At all. Plus, he hasn't been allowed to speak to a lawyer, or has only been allowed limited access. This part isn't as clear as I'd like.

Anyway, you can find the story here: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/04/04/190223&mode=thread&tid=103

Now, while I find this sort of thing abhorrent, I am not specifically interested in this case. I am interested in the trend it illustrates in our society.

When exactly did we sign away the Bill of Rights? I wasn't on that committee. And yet people are being sued for what's written on their t shirts, Arab Americans (Hell, let's just say Americans!) are being held without being charged, a few years ago there was a movement to do away with Miranda rights, and I still believe encryption codes should be covered by the Fifth Amendment.

I have to say that the way things are going scares the Hell out of me. I mean at the rate it's going I'm going to be arrested for this journal entry because I'm supporting a person who may possibly be associated sort of with a group that might have ties to terrorists. And, hey, I'm pagan so there's more fuel. Obviously you can't be a good American if you're not Christian, right?

Bullshit.

I love what this country is supposed to represent. I'm just becoming very afraid that what I love about it is also what's being picked away piece by piece. Particularly the whole freedom of speech thing. So many new laws are being considered or passed that hinder that, and the political climate is such that hysteria is more compelling than reason.

When did the Constitution become optional anyway?

And what's more frightening is that most people go along with it. Everyone is so wrapped up in patriotism or the war that they completely ignore the downward slope that policies are on here at home. No one seems all that upset to have their freedoms trod upon.

Well, I am, and I hope that others are too, but then what can I do about it?

For one I can write this entry, and I can stand up for what I believe, and I can always, always speak out.

Now I just need someone to listen.

And thus endeth this rant. I can't say I feel better, and I'm no less scared, but at least my two cents are out there.

And, hey, if they cart me off to prison for this, could everyone reading at least send me a note in jail? Or a card? I like cards.

Night, all!