Striking the Balance

[Ian G Batten]

On Wed, 30 Oct 2002, James Hammerton wrote:
> "There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has
> is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough
> criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime
> that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."
> 
> I'm not a fan of Ayn Rand but

Unfortunately there's some sort of corollory to Godwin's Rule, which is
that the probability that someone will mention Rand tends to unity as a
discussion continues.  However, you can mention Hitler without
necessarily appearing to be a loon, whereas the mention of Rand is
almost always the preserve of loons.  This is for the simple reason that
the only people likely to have read Rand are loons.  Or have bought a
Rush album, which is probably as bad.  Solitary young men with geeky
tendencies and time of their hands should scan a little further along
the shelf and look for Pauline Reage --- they'll end up doing the same
thing, but it won't half as bad for their heads.

> she has a point here

Daddy, why is that man acting so odd?  Is there something we can do to
help him?

> Indeed. But sometimes I wonder whether the laws are framed so broadly
> precisely because it provides a nice catch-all when the govt/police
> are determined to nail X for something, or simply hassle X by hauling
> him in for questioning. 

Of course.  And you're right.  Just don't quote Rand in support of your
argument...

ian