Letter to Star Editor June 6th, 2008
Some quotes from the Quartering Act of such and such a date by such and such a King: you should allow our soldiers "in inns, livery stables, ale houses, victualing houses, and the houses of sellers of wine and houses of persons selling of rum, brandy, strong water, cider or metheglin... uninhabited houses, outhouses, barns, or other buildings"... “ to provide them with food and alcohol, and provide for "fire, candles, vinegar, salt, bedding, and utensils" for the soldiers "without paying any thing for the same".
Now, what the military has done with fair Indianapolis is not as egregious, but I for one feel it has overstepped it's bounds in using our city's public and private property, without forewarning or debate, for the uses of conducting it's operations. This country is at war, to be fair, but under the present climate of public discourse in our country and, perhaps more certainly this city, I for one wonder if storming Indianapolis with paint ball guns in shear boredom is the proper thing to do in this election year. Many would argue it is for our combined benefit to allow troops and their commanders to conduct operations in our parks, malls, private spaces and skies. Doubtless there is some benefit. There is benefit in all things in which we conduct, abstract as it may be- I'm sure there is benefit in these deeds. But our mayor perhaps has discounted the windfall that landed him his office. Many would argue before his arrival most thoughts in our city where centered on money and jobs. It is our liberty I most worry about these days, that slippery slope which these recent events have encouraged me to speak out about. The Quartering Act of 1765 I cite reference to because I worry deeply about the use of private and public spaces for the purposes of military exercises or preparations, regardless of the institution or agency which produces it, or the literal translation into public grievances. King George or Hammurabi, it is mostly the fact that I heard my housing shake under the wings of helicopters this past day that inspires me to write this.. I understand that Marines need preparation for the tasks they face. We as a people should indeed be as prepared in steadfastly demanding our government consider the source of their power before apparently flaunting the crudest of its formulations this election year, in a city and nation that is long concrete in demanding through democratic processes responsibility in government. This occasion gives me grief, but some benefit may come from debate.
Brian Duff, Indianapolis.
Now, what the military has done with fair Indianapolis is not as egregious, but I for one feel it has overstepped it's bounds in using our city's public and private property, without forewarning or debate, for the uses of conducting it's operations. This country is at war, to be fair, but under the present climate of public discourse in our country and, perhaps more certainly this city, I for one wonder if storming Indianapolis with paint ball guns in shear boredom is the proper thing to do in this election year. Many would argue it is for our combined benefit to allow troops and their commanders to conduct operations in our parks, malls, private spaces and skies. Doubtless there is some benefit. There is benefit in all things in which we conduct, abstract as it may be- I'm sure there is benefit in these deeds. But our mayor perhaps has discounted the windfall that landed him his office. Many would argue before his arrival most thoughts in our city where centered on money and jobs. It is our liberty I most worry about these days, that slippery slope which these recent events have encouraged me to speak out about. The Quartering Act of 1765 I cite reference to because I worry deeply about the use of private and public spaces for the purposes of military exercises or preparations, regardless of the institution or agency which produces it, or the literal translation into public grievances. King George or Hammurabi, it is mostly the fact that I heard my housing shake under the wings of helicopters this past day that inspires me to write this.. I understand that Marines need preparation for the tasks they face. We as a people should indeed be as prepared in steadfastly demanding our government consider the source of their power before apparently flaunting the crudest of its formulations this election year, in a city and nation that is long concrete in demanding through democratic processes responsibility in government. This occasion gives me grief, but some benefit may come from debate.
Brian Duff, Indianapolis.
posted by Brian Matthew Duff at 12:39 PM
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