An obliteration of freedom

To the editor:

So Judge Rodenberg has ruled that Daniel Hauser is in need of child protection and must receive forced medical treatment for his Hodgkins Lymphoma against his own convictions and beliefs and those of his parents. Having heard the testimony in the courtroom and personally talked with the father, it was abundantly obvious; these parents don't have a neglectful bone in their body. This is an unthinkable obliteration of freedom and liberty for them and every one of us. Government oppression is the order of the day.

Calvin Johnson, the attorney for Daniel's parents, argued that forcing Hauser to undergo chemotherapy constitutes assault. He argued the state cannot force unwanted medical treatment on the boy because of the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment, which protects citizens against "unjustified intrusions by the state." But who in their right mind thinks the Constitution means anything these days?

To administer the ordered chemotherapy, will they tie Daniel down to the hospital bed and sedate him against his will and that of his parents, or will they force him to be brainwashed by an accommodating psychotherapist until he meekly conforms to their domination? Clearly, we can no longer seek medical attention or advice for our children without fear of being commanded to have them endure whatever lucrative pharmaceutical regimen is decided for them. Through this ruling, intimidation will be used until we are all docile and compliant.

Judge Rodenberg, the social worker, the dutiful doctors and the six attorneys it took to make sure the Hausers were put in their place, must feel smug in their accomplishment. They have endeavored to see self-reliant people become submissive and acquiesce to their hegemony. They were aided in their plot by the fact that no affirmative evidence for nutritional treatment could be presented in the court room by any licensed doctor, as physicians in Minnesota are not allowed to testify about any type of alternative medical care outside the conventional pharmaceutical driven care adhered to by conformist doctors. It was a stacked deck from the get go.

Many of us thought the coming socialized medicine would encompass being told what care we couldn't have; did we ever think it would include being forced to have treatment we couldn't refuse? But of course, tyranny - medical or judicial- is for the common good in America today. The question remains, will folks continue to be so preoccupied by their sports scores, American Idol, and card clubs, or finally wake up one fine day and say enough government intrusion is enough?

What if a group of innocent bystanders, concerned citizens that cherish the freedom they once knew decide to stand, unarmed around the perimeter of the Hauser farm so no authorities can get past and take the boy away from his loving family? Will those individuals be run down or shot down just like Waco? One shudders to think what could happen. For those who think the government is right in this case, you better hope that you don't ever step outside the inevitable boundaries they are arranging for your crowd.

Tammy Houle

Redwood Falls