Dear Editor,

The Bill of Rights; The first ten amendments to the Constitution, were written with the express intent of securing the rights of the individual, as opposed to the tyranny of the majority. For the sake of security, politicians have seen reasons to virtually dissolve its protections, while giving police and law enforcement greater powers, to the point that the 4th amendment is virtually non-existent. For example, prior to “Prohibition”, it was necessary to obtain a search warrant, approved by a judge, before the police could search a moving vehicle. That is history now. Even worse, the targets are often the poorest echelons of our society, namely poor black people, persons of Latin origin, and last but not least, poor white people. Certainly not the poorest elements of our society. Conclusion, under the color of law, abuses happen every day, are not reported, people are railroaded, jailed, and abused, and nothing changes. It’s only when video arises of obvious wrongdoing, that there is any outrage. Currently, much talk of dash cameras on police vehicles, which would eliminate a lot of speculation, but no action. Instead we have a multi- million dollar new jail facility, but still very few video cameras on our local police vehicles. What we have now, in effect, is a police state, under the disguise of a Democracy. I am not saying anywhere else is any better. I love Ben Franklin’s asessment of our current conditions. “Those who would sacrifice liberty, for the sake of security, deserve neither” Well said, Mr. Franklin.

Armando de Quesada

Hartselle