Begging

Everyone should read the opinions of George F. Will and Alan M. Dershowitz (“Is Begging Protected Speech or a Blight on Public Space?” Op-Ed Page, Feb. 1).

Will should remember that this country was founded in large part because of the dangerous decision to have “actions feed the anarchic impulse toward violent self-help.” Albeit a well-reasoned decision. 1984 is well past and this is a society in which the individual is increasingly at the mercy of our bureaucracies.

In one of the world’s largest cities, the pace and range of life are, indeed, harried and frightening. New York City does resemble a Third World city. In a population density like this, it is just as unreasonable to expect not to be touched or threatened (how do you outlaw the latter--one person’s threat is another person’s joke?) as to expect daily life to be free of unpleasant people or situations. The courts seem intent on replacing individual discretion and common sense with court decisions. This is what happens when bureaucracies make rules. 1984, indeed.

DAVID R. TABER

Redlands