"Congress shall make no law respecting...the right of the people peaceably to assemble..."

[Cerridwen]

5. It has already happened for many.

So far those many are of the classes that many of us figure we won't ever be; those in poverty, those who are 'other', those who don't 'play by the rules' or can't 'play by the rules'.

Eighteen-hundred men, who were guilty of looking or of being of Middle-Eastern origin were rounded up in the days following 9/11. But, they weren't 'us', and so little was said. People are routinely hassled, and in some cases jailed, for driving while 'black' or driving while 'hispanic', but the majority of the u.s. population is 'white' and so not concerned. People who are accused of crimes, but not convicted, have their names and pictures posted in the public sphere. But, it's not 'me' so what do I care? Obviously if they are accused they are guilty, right?

Now this is starting to 'hit' those who thought they were safe; rules followers; able to afford lawyers; 'white', 'straight', and other default settings of 'the norm'. NOW it starts to sink in. NOW it 'becomes personal'.

First they came for...was not just a piece of really cool writing. It was a warning of how and what could happen.

But, hey, at least "I" have a job and white skin that protects me, right?

Sorry, RKP5637, this mini-rant is not aimed at you personally. My apologies if it came off as such.