Only criminals reject tyranny

A Bill of Rights is actually the Benefiting Criminals Act. NRA begs to differ.

Build up a cache of so-called human rights laws, and terrorists might be the first customers. It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. In opposing a bill of rights some years ago, former NSW premier Bob Carr pointed out that criminals were the biggest winners under such laws.
Janet Albrechtsen

Hear that, National Rifle Association? You're nothing but a bunch of filthy crims. Don't want soldiers barracked in your home? You crim. Don't want to have your hand cut off for theft, or other cruel and unusual punishments? You must be a criminal. I suppose it is true that only criminals would want a trial by jury; why, if you weren't a criminal you'd have nothing to worry about.

The biggest problem is one of unchecked power. It's bad enough handing governments sweeping powers. With appropriate checks and balances, such as sunset clauses and elections, government power can be kept in check. Hand sweeping power to unelected judges and just watch the fun unfold.

Sunset clauses? Excuse my cynicism, but sunset clauses are the antithesis of power checks; all they do is lull the opposition into a false sense of security. That aside, there is no such thing as unchecked judicial power. If a judge makes a reading of a Right to invalidate a piece of legislation, then call a referendum to alter the Right. If the electorate believes the Right is wrong, the referendum will pass. If they don't, then the legislation didn't deserve to be passed in the first place.

Actually, that's disingenuous, because I know full well that referenda almost never pass in Australia. But criticising a judge for their job, interpreting the law, is the worst aspect of both Left and Right. But of course, Janet goes for the next level; pointing out the hypocrisy of the Left and then turning around and being a hypocrit. It's only hypocrisy when it's the other tribe saying it.
Permalink, Only criminals reject tyranny, Aug 2005, avocadia
cam: The authoritarians are over-represented: in the op-ed media. It doesnt help that they are ignorant too. There seems to be a palpable fear amongst conservatives or authoritarians. I must admit I was surprised by a comment over on Gary\'s site;

Why the \"bleeding heart\" concern about a pagan moslem who trained with a terrorist group - I\'ve seen the picture of hicks with a grenade launcher. This trained terrorist killer would kill any of the \"bleeding hearts\", with no compunction at all , that now want a fair trial for him. THE MAN(a generic term only - as he is just a cowardly killer)IS A TRAINED TERRORIST/KILLER. Please you \"bleeding hearts - please get a life. numbat

Emphasis mine. I dont know if this is intended as a threat to me, or fear by the commenter. I suspect it fear, hysteria and pee your pants type scaredom that drives these people to such authoritarian lengths. They think arbitrary law from a more powerful protector gives them security?

Where is the individualism? the autonomy? the independence of the spirit?

I think it is far more cowardly to give into arbitrary mob rule. It is certainly far easier, simpler and lower energy. The real struggle is ensuring fair, just, equitable and consistent judicial outcomes.

It is the same with the paranoia and fear which seems to be dominated by Evil Pundits posts. He is certain Australia has muslim terrorists everywhere, and only removing multi-culturalism will save us. That is a leap of faith, an irrational one, that will never connect, but a massive leap nonetheless. Only a scared mine would see a connection there.

I also get a laugh when people do those political compass type questionaires and discover they are libertarian. It is a logical position, so I dont understand the surprise. It is rational not to williingly restrict or remove your freedoms. We need a questionaire for rights too, so people discover they are for a Bill of Rights despite the government and commentariat\'s claim to the opposite.

cam
Scrymarch: Of course the NRA are criminals: That goes for those lefty terrorists Washington and Jefferson too.
avocadia: How amusing:

I\'m pretty sure the traditional definition of a pagan would exclude Hicks and any other follower of Islam, seeing as how they worship the same god as the commenter - alas, I am making the assumption that the commenter is a Christian.

And by the way, I wish I could cast Detect Evil like said commenter. I have all the material components!

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