POLITICAL RIGHTS

Clearly, Boortz will give up some of his 'rights'

I was startled and immensely delighted to read Neal Boortz's column ("Moochers need free-market dose," Opinion, Nov. 14). Startled at his novel definition of a "right" as excluding anything that involves a second of someone else's labor or skills.

I am delighted that he has voluntarily given up his right to bear arms -- unless he mines the ore, forges the steel and makes the guns himself in his backyard. After all, he cannot lay claims to the skill of the workers at the Colt factory, can he? Even then, I am not sure he has that right, unless he designs the gun and its firing mechanism. Oh, and he also has to figure out the laws of thermodynamics that govern explosions -- all by himself, without the help of his science teacher.

Obviously, this also means Miranda rights are also kaput for all except lawyers. Right to freedom from illegal search and seizure? Forget it. Where do I get off demanding the time of a cop to protect me from a break-in? "Clearly I nailed this 'right to health care thing,' '' he says. Clearly.

Suresh Krishnamoorthy, Marietta