Papers Please


This week's Supreme Court Dispatches column by Dahlia Lithwick talks about a privacy dispute case recently argued in front of the high court. It involves the real-life cowboy Dudley Hiibel, who now has a website about this case. He was approached by the side of the road by Nevada police who thought he was acting suspicious, and as part of his questioning asked his name. Our cowboy refused to answer, which so happens to be against Nevada state law. And therein lies the crux of the case. Is it constitutional to require someone to divulge their identity? In formulating your opinion, don't miss the video of the roadside questioning.

My views typically side fairly strongly on the side of privacy, personal freedom, and individual rights. I almost consider myself a libertarian on these issues. But on this case I'm still undecided, and to tell you the truth I don't like that. I can understand the arguments on both sides of the issue. I'm typically able to empathize with both sides, but side with only one. This one will take some more pondering to choose my side.

Posted: Tue - March 23, 2004 at 08:29 PM        


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