Overthrow of the constitution indeed!

Submitted by Faith (United States), Sep 20, 2004 at 01:23

I found the comment by John Berg, particularly the part where he suggests that Muslims should be deported or denied admittance to the United States to avoid "the violent overthrow of the US constitution" not only alarming, but extremely ironic.

I am alarmed at Mr. Berg's remark for the very reason he expresses concern- the continuance of the US constitution: its precepts and original intents. Expressly, the guaranteed right to freedom of religion. I am a Christian, and admit that, as one of the hated infidels, I feel threatened by Jihadists, and I do not deny that the popular academian definition of Jihad is rose-colored and naive. However, I am equally alarmed at the suggestion that one is justified in flouting the most basic freedoms guaranteed by the constitution in efforts to protect it. Repression, as I am sure others have stated, is NOT the answer to quelling an ideology. If violence erupts, yes, it should be halted.

I am in favor of deterring violent ideologies, from Islam to the KKK to Neo-nazism, but to use legal means will only fuel the anger of these groups, at the same time giving them legitimate ammunition with which to criticize the US government as oppressive. Only so long as the most basic freedoms of our nation continue to apply to all individuals that are not convicted of crimes, regardless of race, nation, or creed, can the US constitution be protected. Were it altered to exclude rights to those individuals Mr. Berg mentioned, it would no longer be a document worth protecting. I found his suggestion ignorant and appalling. :)

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