[IP] more on more on what does win mean

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Thomas Leavitt <thomas@thomasleavitt.org>
Date: June 24, 2006 10:37:11 PM EDT
To: dave@farber.net
Cc: simon@higgs.com
Subject: re: more on what does wi mean

Dave,

 By this definition, it is already too late... while, as an American
citizen, my day to day life remains more or less unaffected (by the war
in Iraq and other forms of terrorist acts), at a higher level, my
confidence in the integrity of our overall system of checks and balances
has been severely compromised.

 I find myself wondering if some left-field regulation is going to
result in my Swedish born, Green-card resident wife being summarily
deported;  making jokes and having conversations about domestic spying
efforts that I wouldn't have imagined occurring just a few years ago; I
wonder if, the next time I attempt to step on a plane, I'm going to be
pulled aside because my various activism efforts have resulted in my
name being placed on one TSA list or another; my step-children will
inherit a federal government crippled by vast debts and obligations it
is unable to fulfill (if they choose to stay here, rather than migrate
to Sweden), thus compromising their future opportunities; I find myself
thinking that I only have to stick it out for a few more years, then I
myself can move to Sweden.

 Do I worry about being killed or injured in a terrorist attack? No. Do
I worry about my personal safety as an American traveling abroad in the
third world, as the result of American policy? Yes.

 My 10th grade World History teacher traveled across much of Africa and
the Middle East on foot as a youth - spoke with Ethiopian monks who
claimed to have King Solomon's crown in their basement, saw ancient
Greek treasures on display in an Afghani museum... how many places like
that across the world are now effectively off limits to Americans? How
many more require a substantial assumption of risk to venture into?

 The real costs of the "war on terror" are not measured in loss of  
peace
of mind, but in the reduced scope of possibilities available to the
average American, both here and abroad.

Regards,
Thomas Leavitt


Original Message ------

From: David Farber <dave@farber.net>
Subject: more on  what does wi mean
Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2006 06:36:20 -0400



Begin forwarded message:

From: Simon Higgs <simon@higgs.com>
Date: June 24, 2006 12:19:17 AM EDT
To: dave@farber.net, HLin@nas.edu
Subject: Re: [IP] what does wi mean
Reply-To: simon@higgs.com

David Farber wrote:
> Begin forwarded message:
> From: "Lin, Herb" <HLin@nas.edu>
> Date: June 23, 2006 5:32:44 PM EDT
> To: dave@farber.net, ip@v2.listbox.com
> Subject: RE: [IP] more on Secret U.S. Program Tracks Global Bank
> Transfers
> Will someone tell me what it means for us to "win"?
> Thanks.. Interested parties want to know.
> herb

As someone who grew up under the constant "threat" of the IRA, this
is a really easy one.

To "win" against terrorism means that life remains untouched and
unaffected by any consequence or by-product of a terrorist act.

--
Best Regards,

Simon Higgs



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