"When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out"

Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.

Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.

Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.

Als sie die Juden holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Jude.

Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr, der protestierte.

When they came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
~Pastor Martin Niemöller (Wikipedia)

Bush vows more eavesdropping

Bush Defends Eavesdropping Program

Bush Calls Blockage of Patriot Act 'Inexcusable'

There are more stories of course. I am sure you can find some of your own, depending on which side of this you are on. I oppose many if not most provisions of the Patriot Act. I oppose spying on U.S. citizens outside the parameters of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, which in itself is a rather loose protection since the courts almost always go along with whatever the government wants. There is a middle ground. Urge your representatives and Senators to find it.

And for goodness sakes, tell them to stop Christmas tree bills. It is past time for a law that forbids Congress to add endless amendments that have nothing to do with the original legislation.

Do I sound a bit angry? I am. I shouldn't watch CSpan in the morning..

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
~Benjamin Franklin

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