Liberty vs. Security - Another Tough Call

I hate this story. I feel passionately about both sides of the argument.

On the one hand...What year is this!? What country is this!? Censoring books or curriculum that is deemed "un-American" is so 1984. You just know people are waiting to define that just any which way that suits their purposes. Chalk another one up for overzealous and Fascist governmental tactics.

On the other hand... La Raza pushes a fairly controversial and provocative agenda, not to mention there are lots of un-addressed issues concerning immigration, legal or otherwise, that are bubbling up.

This just seems like a cultural cluster-fluke with no winners, just another blow to the constitution.

www.eastvalleytribune.com...

Arizona schools whose courses "denigrate American values and the teachings of Western civilization" could lose state funding under the terms of legislation approved Wednesday by a House panel.

SB1108 also would bar teaching practices that "overtly encourage dissent" from those values, including democracy, capitalism, pluralism and religious tolerance. Schools would have to surrender teaching materials to the state superintendent of public instruction, who could withhold state aid from districts that broke the law.

Another section of the bill would bar public schools, community colleges and universities from allowing organizations to operate on campus if it is "based in whole or in part on race-based criteria," a provision Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said is aimed at MEChA, the Moviemiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, a student group.

The 9-6 vote by the Appropriations Committee sends the measure to the full House.

The legislation appears aimed largely at the Tucson Unified School District, whose "Raza Studies" program has annoyed some people. Tucson resident Laura Leighton read lawmakers sections of some books used in classrooms which she said promote hatred.

[edit on 21/4/08 by kosmicjack]

Incrementalism. A million papercuts to destroy this country.


Every tiny bit they take they never give back up. They ratchet the winch one click at a time.


"Those who would give up a little essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither and will lose both." - Thomas Jefferson

Not a tough call at all. That's what the people that want to destroy or "Constiutional Republic" would have you believe. In order to have freedom and security we only have to tap that American "Can do Spirit" and find dynamic and new ways of thwarting new threats and criminals. Not relinquish anyof our rights. Not one! Don't ever buy into that hog wash.

[edit on 21-4-2008 by lazy1981]

Is there any way we can ban Georges speeches? They start wars.

In all seriousness, you should NEVER ban a written word, spoken word, or message of any form. These are the freedoms that free countries are founded on... and they are the ONLY things that make the country what it is. Without these freedoms, the country is no better than China.