WHERE WAS I WHEN...

by Gary Miller
November 23, 2001

I thought that I had been keeping up with the news.

When driving, I usually tune-in to an all-news/sports station on the AM dial. At home, there seems to be a continual bombardment of news stories during and between the scheduled programs in addition to the all-news networks and Internet sites that I dutifully check out.

So, where was I when the word came down announcing that the war in Afghanistan and against all terrorism around the globe had been won?

I must have also missed the headline stories when all street crime had ended, and every rapist, murderer, and thug had been put away... or when it was made public that all bank robbers and thieves had been put behind bars.

Where was I when the end of all poverty and hunger was declared?

It must be true. It must have all taken place! Or is it just the fact that our lawmakers HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS?

You must forgive me for being so cynical, but with so many serious and legitimate problems needing attention, why do our legislators expend so mush effort in writing so many laws of oppression?

Two November 21 news stories, in particular, caused me to again question the rationality of our elected officials:

The first, from the Washington Post, outlined "one of the most restrictive anti-smoking measures in the nation."

The Montgomery County Taliban went on record to proclaim that "tobacco smoke would be treated in the same manner as other potentially harmful pollutants, such as asbestos, radon, molds or pesticides."

It seems that the Montgomery County, Council in Maryland, took it upon themselves to write this most oppressive legislation to protect neighbors from a possible wift of cigarette smoke crossing their property line from another citizen who would dare to light one up within the confines of their OWN HOME!

The Montgomery County Taliban went on record to proclaim that "tobacco smoke would be treated in the same manner as other potentially harmful pollutants, such as asbestos, radon, molds or pesticides."

I'm surprised that they did not mention nuclear waste in their comparative list.

Should the pollution police catch you in the act, after answering a neighbor's emotional and frantic complaint, you could now face heavy fines of up to $750!



The other news item that triggered my journalistic tirade was from the Washington Times, which, I must admit, did report some good news along with the bad.

The Good news is that many motorists and some police officers now have joined forces to criticize the use of radar spy-cams to catch speeders in Washington, D.C.

The bad news is that we have arrived at this point in time where we have grown accustomed to accepting such intrusions into our lives.

Opponents of the city's new radar cameras say that they are more intended to "raise money" than to slow speeding drivers.

When served with a summons through the spy-cam system, the accused is not even afforded the right of facing the accuser/law enforcement officer in court. Just another case of [Guilty until proven Innocent] in my book.

Opponents of the city's new radar cameras say that they are more intended to "raise money" than to slow speeding drivers.

While I most certainly agree with the critics of the radar cameras, I have to point an accusing finger at "We The People," who have allowed so many intrusions to be permitted, and have willingly gone down the wrong legislative paths as we continue to sacrifice LIBERTY and FREEDOM for the illusion of safety!

It is of my opinion that more restrictive laws are contrary to the growing spirit of UNITY and PATRIOTISM that is now moving among our people and encouraged by our President.