You're missing the point, Doug. Whether it's then or now makes no difference.

Back then, the Powers That Be perceived the threat of the government being overthrown by force and violence as just as real as the threat of terrorist attacks today. To forestall this, they kept tabs on people they regarded as suspicious. Just like today.

Both then and now, the Powers That Be insist that they be released from constitutional restrictions so they can be free to pursue the country's enemies more effectively. Back then it was a college student with a guitar. Now it's a dark-haired, dark-eyed young man who attends a mosque regularly. Both then and now, it's a "target rich environment."

Right now, and for who knows how long into the future, we are under threat—from terrorists and God knows what other kind of crazies that are out there (somebody mentioned Timothy McVeigh). Again (still) the Powers That Be are demanding that they be released from the constitutional restrictions so they can track the terrorists down and stop them. And if we do drop the constitutional restrictions, how long they stay down? Until we know for certain that the terrorists and the crazies have been rooted out, of course!

And when will that be?

The point of terrorism is to spread terror. Looks like they're doing a pretty good job of it. Especially if they can induce us to destroy our own system.

And, leprechaun and DougR, where the hell do you get off presuming to think you know my mind and how I would vote on such a jury? I see that you've both condemned me already, which goes a long way toward proving my point!

Don Firth