Security vs Liberty in Missoula, MT USA

Benjamin Franklin once stated that "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. " And so it seems in the latest ongoing debate in Missoula, Montana about "limiting aggressive panhandling" downtown. See http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/07/29/news/local/news04.txt


One might well ask, well aren't their already laws on the books that deal with aggressive behaviors? And the of course, why aren't they being enforced? Why is it that the police have a need to add another $100 ticket to their arsenal in order to do something constructive about aggressive and intimidating behaviors of panhandlers? Why doesn't Missoula's City Council just bite the bullet and ban "panhandlers" altogether from our beautiful downtown? Out of sight, out of mind? Or is it that the City can NOT ban panhandlers, for fear of upsetting their firemen, who every so often set up on Madison St. bridge, aggresively intimidating drivers to "give?"
Of Course, the real problems of and with the "homeless" both here and all across America are economic, social and addiction related. Maybe, instead of exacerbating the situation further, the City Council and the police should instead spend a week on the streets, and get a whole new perspective on the "problem." You know, walk a mile in their shoes. They are humans after all.

Just like you and me.
And in Montana, they, like everyone else, have what Montana's Constitution calls inalienable rights - Article ll - Section 3. "They include the right to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life's basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways."

Before City Councilors, the Mayor or the Police assume office, (including their "Rules of Professional Conduct") they must swear the following oath of office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect and defend the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the state of Montana, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity (so help me God).”

And finally, you and I and every other taxpayer is being asked to "pay" for our City Council and additional police to deal with yet "another" problem. And what of all the other "problems" we Missoulians are already "paying" for? Why do we still have murders, rapes, assaults, burglaries, theft, auto-theft, arson, fights etc in Missoula, MT at all? Why?


So maybe, the real issue is this: Missoulians giving up more of our essential liberties on the pretext that our police don't have enough laws at their disposal to deal with aggressive and/or intimidating behaviors, downtown (only during the summer, of course).

Well, in Missoula, we simply call this situation mere political bull pucky playing ....


So, once again, Benjamin Franklin stated that "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do."


So exactly, who are the fools who are complaining about not having the means to deal with "aggressive panhandling downtown" and "homeless" people sleeping downtown?

Well, read the new "proposed" ordinance addressing solicitation and intimidating panhandling. and, also, Could these proposed rules interfere with Missoulians free speech rights?


http://www.speakupmissoula.com/topic/200/Could_the_proposed_panhandling_rule_interfere_with_free_speech_rights


As always, I'd like to encourage your comments about this important topic.



thanks,

Rick Gold

Missoula, MT