Horrific attacks on our rights are made almost faster than we can follow, and more are planned. On top of this, the people are at each other's throats, goaded on by the media, tricked into thinking that other citizens are their chief threat. A people united under liberty, with power devolved or decentralized to the lowest possible level, is hard to conquer. But a people manipulated and lied to, is subject to incitement to hysteria, to acceptance of attacks on the Bill of Rights in the name of suppressing one part or another of the citizenry. Attacks on the jury system abound after the media circus surrounding the O.J. Simpson trial.
Moves are afoot to further weaken trial by jury.
Federal and state legislation is being proposed to eliminate the requirement for unanimity, one of the pillars of meaningful trial by jury. And some among the population are unthinkingly agreeing. Benjamin Franklin said that those who would give up essential liberty for the sake of a little temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security. And we would add, are not likely to get it. We would suggest that given the overwhelming threat to our most fundamental liberties we try even harder to put aside differences that under other circumstances might preclude us from associating with people who have incompatible beliefs or lifestyles.