Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jan 2000
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:  http://www.star-telegram.com/
Forum: http://www.star-telegram.com/comm/forums/
Author:  John Wallace

INVADING HOMES

Perhaps there should be an independent investigation into the death of Troy 
Davis, but your recent editorial did not address the fundamental question: 
Why do we permit gangs of armed police officers to invade the sanctity of 
our homes simply to search for evidence of a nonviolent, victimless crime 
like drug possession?

We need a law (or preferably a constitutional amendment) stating that the 
police are never allowed to forcibly invade a person's home unless there is 
clear evidence that the occupant has recently committed, or is about to 
commit, a serious crime of violence.

Two hundred years ago, William Pitt summarized the English common law 
thusly: "The poorest man may, in his cottage, bid defiance to all the 
forces of the Crown. The wind . . . the storm . . . the rain may enter but 
the King of England cannot enter."

Today in America, our own government treats us far worse than the king of 
England ever did.

John Wallace
Mico
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