If you allow the government to break the law during an emergency, ...

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Donny Ferguson 🗽 Retweeted

Think about it

If you allow the government to break the law during an emergency, they will create emergencies to break the law.

Link to tweet

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

1. But I digress...

Many groups use paranoia to influence their followers. I don't care for the practice of the US maintaining so many military bases in foreign countries. I suppose it's easier to foster the idea of an emergency when it's thousands of miles away. The idea that military strength and support are required in so many places tells me that federally we are much better at making enemies than friends.

One of the high marks for Obama was his rise to prominence helping communities work together for progress. That kind of leadership is to be highly valued. Punitive reactions affecting more of the law abiding than they do criminals should receive less support, here at home and worldwide.

[stopdiggin]

2. True. But there's also a flip side to this argument

Emergency powers have long been recognized as a potential threat -- equally, the danger of shackling authority in times of real immediacy and threat. (picture the next pandemic comes along with an agent that is 10-20 times as deadly as Covid?)

It's a thorny problem. An ethical and intellectual tightrope. And one we most likely can not codify our way out of.

[stopdiggin]

3. there is an idea kicked around

that an "emergency" (or war, or crisis) should be subject to regular re-certification (with hearings, argument and disclosure) at given intervals. Whether this really provides much relief to fundamental issue of authoritarianism ....? But it's probably a measure to be considered for good government in general.