Let's call it Fear Reversed.
But instead of Us this time, it's Them. And at least one U.S. attorney is feeling the fear.
Facing replacement once President-elect Obama takes office, Drew Wrigley may find himself out of a job, let go by his new boss. So, what's a legal eagle facing certain unemployment to do?
Start drumming the Protect the Children drum by dragging out the case of Dru Sjodin, whose rape and murder five years ago resulted in yet ONE MORE child-named law.
Dru's Law joined the following famous alumni as Law of the Land: the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act and Katie's Law.
The discussion today is not Dru or Adam or Katie or any other child's specific case that has resulted in invasive draconian law for many American citizens.
The discussion is about the culture of fear, created by politicians who readily seize upon parental grief to push emotional, feel-good legislation through whatever branch of government they represent.
Barry Glassner writes about why we are afraid of all the wrong things (and how we arrive at such a point of frenzy) in his book The Culture of FEAR. Chapter 3--Youth at Risk--details the particularly heinous use of children by lawmakers.
FYI--The disappearance and murder of young Adam Walsh is discussed at length.
Pick up a copy and read for yourself. But no worries.
I'll be back to discuss Chapter 3 tomorrow.
As for Mr. Wrigley and other U.S. attorneys like him, that pushed the agenda of former boss Alberto Gonzales?
Good riddance.
And let's get busy righting these seriously wrong laws.
