What the Magistrate Learns

     The Magistrate learns one important lesson through the novel. His interactions and dealings with the barbarian women as well as the rest of the barbarians allow the Magistrate completely rewrite what he finds morally wrong and right. The start of the novel points to the fact that the Magistrate was a pawn of the Empire. He lacked free will and it was the reason he was perfect for the job. After his interactions with the Barbarian girl however, he changes his thinking of right and wrong. He grows a backbone, and tries to undo the work of the Empire and the Colonel, the physical manifestation of the Empire in the Magistrate's eyes. He tries to right his wrongs in order to live with himself. Through his guilt he learns to open his eyes, and starts the view the world as it is.

US as a Police State

Following September 11, President Bush passed the USA PATRIOT Act granting emergency powers. President Obama extended this act in 2009 and again in 2010. This allows the government to do anything they need if it is in the name of national defense.

http://www.fincen.gov/statutes_regs/patriot/