Georgetown Students Challenge Alberto Gonzalez

I have not heard mention of the following story in the media and only a passing mention of the Gonzalez appearance at Georgetown through a Google search. If accurate, this account should encourage all defenders of liberty.

"The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous." - Frederick Douglas (on the 23rd anniversary of emancipation)

Sent: Saturday, March 4, 2006 9:00:00 PM
Subject: welcome Mr. Gonzales

Alberto Gonzales spoke before law students at Georgetown, justifying illegal, unauthorized surveillance of US citizens, but during the course of his speech the students in class did something pretty ballsy and brave. They got up from their seats and turned their backs to him.

To make matters worse for Gonzales, additional students came into the room, wearing black cowls and carrying a simple banner, written on a sheet. The banner quoted Benjamin Franklin, "Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither."

Fortunately for him (Gonzalez), it was a brief speech... followed by a panel discussion that basically ripped his argument in half.

And, as one of the people on the panel said,"When you're a law student, they tell you that if you can't argue the law, argue the facts. They also tell you if you can't argue the facts, argue the law. If you can't argue either, apparently, the solution is to go on a public relations offensive and make it a political issue... to say over and over again "it's lawful", and to think that the American people will somehow come to believe this if we say it often enough.

In light of this, I'm proud of the very civil civil disobedience that was shown here today." - David Cole, Georgetown University Law Professor

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