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Om mane padme hum
Oh Lord. OK, let's just write about Macs, although this could turn out to be be like obessing about bug splats on the windshield as the old buggy misses the curve at the top of the pass. But don't worry, you're safe with me: all content herein contained has absolutely not been approved by the OHS! But wipe that smirk off your face.There's an issue here that's legitimately Mac-worthy. Probably several, in fact.

This is it, hinted at in news stories I've written over the past week: laws that inhibit our freedom to communicate without fear of persecution or reprisal are inimicable to the American spirit. That's what makes this country different, that everyone is guaranteed to the right to speak out, worship as they please, and cast a vote for responsible government. Furthermo--

[Excuse me. "What? That last one's not in there?! Oh, all right..."]

OK, at least you can talk and pray as you want, as long as you don't wear a turban in Mesa, Arizona or run an oriental rug store in Santa Fe. But forgive me, this is a Macintosh column, so here's the hook: MAC USERS ARE A MINORITY! So if anyone should be concerned about freedom of speech and the ability to safely share your thoughts with others, it ought to be you.

Oh give me a homeland...
This is not about politics, or shouldn't be. It's about what we supposedly have to give up in order to combat terrorism. You have to understand, though, that there are people who always want to give the police more power. They aren't necessarily evil -- they're probably just trying to help the cops do a better job. Of course the police would have an easier job going after criminals if they had total freedom to spy on everybody! No one disputes that. The point is that we put up with a little messiness to live happily in a tfree country, and the police just have to do the best they can within the limits we set for them.

You see, I've always been proud, ferociously proud, to be a citizen of this free nation. And I abhor the idea that we can't be free and strong, that we supposedly have to give up our rights so we can be "protected" -- this upset me so much, in fact, I went looking solace in the words of one of the original wild men of our democracy, Bejamin Franklin:

"They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

A lot you agree with ole Ben. Once they take it away, you just try to get it back! Here is a sampling of commentary received about the proposed Mobilization Against Terrorism Act

"I just read your article, and am in agreement with your statement: 'We see no reason why a free country cannot both defend itself and bring the murderers to justice without sacrificing the civil liberties of its citizens.'"

"I don't know what the 'liberal' viewpoint would be but I agree with you...and I'm a Libertarian...and a reserve soldier...and a law enforcement officer.They're overreacting and trying to prevent the former type of hijacking."

"While some arguments can be made that from time to time it may become necessary to give up freedom in order to gain greater freedom, I personally don't see what much of the Mobilization Against Terrorism Act has to do with combating terrorism. The Attorney General (of whom I am normally a supporter) seems to have cobbled up a piece of legislation that he could tack onto the 'while you're signing things' bandwagon. A stronger, smarter, more capable FBI (and CIA) can be a great benefit to America. Increasing the government's ability to control the people of the United States is not the answer, though."

"I am no liberal and these attacks have produced a level of anger in me that I did not believe possible. I frighten myself when I consider what a justifiable response should be.Nonetheless, I have not lost my mind completely. I fear the real 'attack on freedom' will likely come from within."

"Just want to support you completely on this. I can't see how stripping this country of the very thing we're trying to preserve, freedom, in the name of expediency and without thought does anything other than give terrorists a complete victory."

YOU there, get in line!
This kind of response is proof that the guys who gave us the bare bones of our young government did a FABULOUS JOB! Just look at all those impassioned, articulate expressions of love and respect for what's really special about the U.S.A. This is powerful stuff. And we're powerful because we're free -- but are we?

When advertisers send bloodthirsty cries for revenge to everyone on their customer mailing list -- yes, that has happened here -- it scares me to deatth (and doesn't necessarily move me to order more RAM). The feeling I've had lately that I should watch what I say, being afraid to pick up a newspaper or turn on the teevee for fear of not fitting in, etc., THIS STINKS! It hurts us all, too (and Mac users more than any others should grasp the necessity for maintaining a lively diversity of opinion).And it's really fightening to see how easily our constitutional applecart can be overturned by mob-think masquerading as something else. Something like this happens, and all the homegrown enforcers come out of the woodwork ready to start taking names. Doggone it, this is a sign of weakness, not strength, like when all the people in the little wild West burg board up their homes & hide when the outlaws ride through. Geez!

Things are getting strange in MacLand, too. I read where one hypertext ayatollah wants us to stop bashing PCs, in the name of some kind of overriding "unity" that suppresses all dissent. Bizarre, what? Well, I won't do it. Here's what I think of PCs:

• I used one at the library recently and it sucked.
• They're ugly and soulless and I never want one in my house.
• Windows is depressing and alienating to use.

So, should I feel gulity for saying what I think? Of course not. And there's no reason to feel guilty for asking whether zealots on all sides aren't taking advantage of a tragic situation. How not dissing PCs came to be part of the aftermath of The Event, I'll never know, but this is a sure sign that things are out of whack.

Bring the murderers to justice, but don't tread on me.

Senior Applelinks editor and columnist John H. Farr is contemplating a career raising milk goats in the upper Midwestern outback and writing obscene, pornographic exposés under several appropriate pseudonyms. In the meantime, he promises to continue bringing you the latest and greatest Apple, Macintosh, and Internet news he can find.

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AUDIO CREDIT: embedded 44k file, European Birds -- Sounds and Sonograms.

DESIGN CREDIT: GRACK! byline graphic by Bob Farr.