Hi Tracy. I understand your points and agree with them at the level at which they can be implemented. However my point has more to do with the fact that there are powers that be that can remove you and/or your rights if it is in their interest to do so. In such cases you will not necessarily get the opportuinity to argue your rights at all.

To imagine that we have rights that somehow protect us like an invincible shield is an illusion when there are even more powerful agents that can completely remove those rights.


>I see it a little differently. I believe that all men are created equal under GOD and that the law guarantees that right. Now the problem comes in the 'enforcement' of that law. Individuals are responsibile for that as each is an individual, each is responsible for how he/she performs that task and it is not always fair, equal, or balanced. That is where the law comes into place again to protect the individual.
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>Now given that, each human being has the responsibility to ensure that his/her rights are protected under the law. That means that you cannot expect for the law to protect you solely on your behalf without your participation when it is required. For instance, if everyday I am mugged on the the way to work and I never notify the police but calmly let it happen day after day then I am partly responsible for the mugging because I continued to allow it to happen. If, on the other hand, I called the police and during the investigation and case the police themselves abused my individual rights and I fail to report that abuse once again I failed to take individual responsibility to ensure my rights are protected. If I report that abuse and the law does not protect my rights then it is time to bring in the heavy guns (lawyers who specialize in that field).
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>To be fair, it is more likely that I will get more response to my complaint from the Police department than the typical minority male or female would. That is sad, but often true and that likelihood cannot completely be dismissed. I know of many minorities that have received protection under the law and also a few that were hassled as well. Some chose to press charges and some did not. I know from experience that adequate representation does exist even for those indigent and without funds because there are many many who donate their time pro-bono for that very purpose. Also, we all receive council whether we can pay for our own attorney or not. The attornies are typically underpaid and overworked, but it is free.