The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

16 December 2005

Quote of the week

Kim Du Toit, urging that the USA PATRIOT Act not be renewed:

When the government's jackboot is stepping on your face, the boot's manufacturer is of no consequence.

Meaning?

So whether your house is invaded with a no-knock warrant, or your laptop computer is seized and examined without a warrant, it's of little matter to you whether this is being done under the auspices of Drugs or Terrorism.

And you should not assume that it can't happen to you: armed with this act, the government doesn't have to be nice to you — unless, of course, you are a terrorist.

Posted at 7:26 AM to QOTW


I love the "government jackboot" theme. It makes you feel so important. I know the police and government agencies act like jerks a lot, but my face has been spared so far.

I read this somewhere: "If it were not for the civil authorities, men would swallow each other alive." So as dumb and jerky as the police are, we would be in a worse state without them.

Posted by: miriam at 9:06 AM on 16 December 2005

In the vast majority of cases, the police aren't out to stomp you: it's when someone higher up gets a bee in his bonnet and starts issuing decrees that the jackboots start to march.

Posted by: CGHill at 9:12 AM on 16 December 2005

Right on Chaz! As the old adage goes: "Power corrupts ... absolute power corrupts absolutely".

We dont need a return to the 60's - 70's where repression was the political norm ... I mean who can forget Nixon and HIS jackbooted thugs (albeit usually in nice man suits .. the paramilitary look wasn't really in then)... no warrant wiretaps, smear campaigns, use of the IRS to bully political opponents, lying to the people about the War, an FBI and Justice Department that did the bidding of a paranoid and obtuse White House, good ole "were turning the corner" McNamara?

Wow ... that rant gave me some de'javu ... :)

Posted by: Ron at 9:28 AM on 16 December 2005

Miriam,

Feel free to share your jackboot-free existence with the people unhoused by the Kelo decision, or with Cory Maye.

And FYI: people lived in a reasonable state of peace and amity long before the police ever existed.

The State's jackboots (or sandals) are a long-established institution, however.

Posted by: Kim du Toit at 5:38 PM on 19 December 2005