[MD] No Hippies Allowed

[Platt Holden]

> Ant McWatt therefore asks Platt today:
> 
> Platt,
> 
> As Mr Manilow has now been gagged and sent off on his mule in the interests of
> more serious issues, I’d like to know – as you seem old enough to remember it
> (apologies if not!!!) - if you think there are any lessons to be learnt from the
> McCarthy era.  For instance, are you ever concerned that a similar (socially
> static) era might return?

Yes and no. Any inhibition on freedom needs to be examined closely with the 
default to freedom. But, when threatened or under attack by a force determined 
to negate freedom, then it may be necessary to adopt the tactics of the 
opposing force. For example, policemen and soldiers operate under a system 
which by any measure is less free than the population at large. Yet, such a 
system is necessary to meet force with like force. Today, the West is 
threatened by Muslim forces that seek our destruction. Thus, when Blair 
proposes identity cards for everyone, it threatens freedom but is necessary to 
combat terrorists who hide within our midst.  Back in the McCarthy era, the 
West was threatened by Communism. So his purpose in rooting out communists who 
had infiltrated the movie industry and the defense department was legitimate.

Where people differ most I think is in assessing the degree of danger to our 
liberties, and thus the degree to which freedoms need to curtailed to meet the 
perceived threat.  

What do you think?

Best regards,
Platt