“A new fascism promises security from the terror of crime. All that is required is that we take away the criminals’ rights – which, of course, are our own. Out of our desperation and fear we begin to feel a sense of security from the new totalitarian state.”

Gerry Spence has hit the nail on the head. Americans could listen a little more closely to this warning. Fascism, wherever has it has taken hold in the past, has always had the support of the People -- until, of course, it is too late for them to stop it. Only then has fascism been defeated with the help of an outside military force greater than its own. If Americans don't wake up soon, it may be the end of Freedom for everyone.

Frank, how right you are. The fact that our fascistic leanings are easier to see from the 'outside' is not exactly news. It may already be too late if the current approach of our 'supreme' executive is any indication.

If we are waiting for the media to finally cover this issue with more than just a brief brush off, think again. The media is not as 'leftist' as many people claim -- they prop up the fascist propaganda in living color daily. All the while in collusion with the Clinton/Bush fascist administrations.

The criminal forfeits some of his rights when he opts to break the law. To what degree he does so depends on several factors, but to some degree he does so in every case, where the law itself is not immoral.

Men decide what is criminal. In America, first rights are declared and reserved. Then men make laws to make criminals out of those whose behavior they wish to control. When laws are made that are contrary to the simple defense of inalienable rights, criminals are made of people who are merely exercising their own rights. For example, those laws written to control sex, reproduction, marriage, income, ownership, travelling, and possession of arms. How people have sex, whether they have celebrated their commitment to one another through ceremony, where people may be permitted travel, what income they are permitted to keep, whether they may be permitted to have (or not have) children, how much tribute is to be paid for owning property, and whether people may be permitted to defend themselves -- all are attempts to violate a person's natural rights. As a result, most everyone is guilty of some offense and therefore a 'criminal' in the eyes of the law. It is because there are those who believe themselves to be our betters and have accepted the task of making us better converts to their will that the Founders initially declared sacrosanct our natural born rights. It is ignorant to believe that this is not happening and that we needn't challenge the status quo of 'might makes right'.

Archer: Try keeping the debate centered on the quote, and not on the wandering musings of your own mind. Your argument has little to do with the quote.

Rosenthal, Archer is on target.

Anyone who would surrender ANY freedom for security deserves neither!

Archer, right on and dead center to the issue the quote speaks of.

Archer, I forgot, Excellent debate.

No greater excuse than "For the good of the people" has ever been given for tyranny. And its Bull*hit. And right on Archer. Control control control...that's what its all about.

One way to "take away the terror of crime" would be to get rid of our current drug laws. Drug prohibition like alcohol prohibition from 1920-1933 has created chaos in this and other countries. Check south of the border for one example.

Australian Shooter magazine did a quick study on some death statistics. The deaths per capita in Iraq. a war zone where pretty much everybody has a gun are actually about 30% lower than murders per capita in Washington DC. DC has strict gun control laws. Conclusion: the US should pull out of Washington! :)

The government seizure of banks, insurance companies, auto companies, and the inevitable seizure of the health industry is the newest fascism and it still offers the same promise of security. This time it is the security from economic terror. This time it is not the criminals rights that are being taken away, it is the property owners rights, the stockholders and bondholders. Do they deserve to have their rights taken away like the criminal? Of course to a progressive socialist a property owner is a criminal.

I have a proble with a guy who appears on Network TV always wearing a buckskin fringed leather jacket.

Seems to me if you want more rights you need to become a criminal.

I think with great accuracy that long ago quoted, It does not belong to man who is walking to direct his (step)... And (Man) has dominated man to his injury! There is an unquestionable force that is obviously, the mind set behind the illogical efforts and reasoning that leaves avoid so deep that the hand writing on the wall is ever so prevalent... My opionion And I thank God that the stars, and the sun and the moon, stands in it relative place for our purpose. And it living testimony that it's not of our origin. Give Strenght and convictions to know that there's a greater force than our selfs...Regardless of what we do,and have done. Life has a purpose. And this system is nine month pregnant full bloom with all the symptoms that deliverance is getting near...

I have always been appreciative reader of Gerry Spence. This Lawyer is a person who has tap into a greater level of awarness that comes from humility and true love of neighbors as self...this type of force or energy come from within. We all are privilege with it. But only a few has attain it. It comes from truth. And making sure of all things, holding hold fast to what is fine... I appreciate his wisdom and incite...