Liberty Is Overrated--Safety Should Be Our First Concern*

Ever Vigilant ^ | 06-19-2002 | Lee R. Shelton IV

[sheltonmac]

BUMP (If there is any confusion, be sure to click on the source link.)

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The problem with this advice is that it is well over two centuries old, and no one back then could have imagined the dangers we face today.

Life expectancy of 45. No antibiotics. Most of America was still In'jun country.

Somehow I think the above statement is completely erroneous.

[ICE-FLYER]

You really need to put

BARF ALERT

in the title when you post things like this.

The fact of the matter is this, when the White House was listening to the countrys feelings on a National ID card it was quick to drop any consideration of such an ID because of the outpouring of resentment of even the thought. Thsi was just after the attack when fears ran higher than they do now. The numbers of supposed supporters are totally suspect.

[dead]

If you love the constitution, you are with the terrorists!

[ICE-FLYER]

If you love the constitution, you are with the terrorists!

Are you sure this is what you wnated to say???

[Kerberos]

""Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." The problem with this advice is that it is well over two centuries old, and no one back then could have imagined the dangers we face today."

Like we didn't face some of these problems in the War of 1812, the French Indian War, the Mexican American War, WWII.

I think I'll stick with Franklin.

[Black Agnes]

If you have any privacy!? The terrorists have won!

[Slainte]

Liberty is overrated. Safety is what counts during times of crisis. After all, how can liberty be enjoyed if one cannot feel safe.

Unfortuantely, there are plenty of people who think exactly this way, and we've been there for a long time now.

[ICE-FLYER]

I think I'll stick with Franklin.

I am with you on this. After all, around the founding it would have been much much easier to commit crime or terror. No real safeguards in place. Heck it was not too long ago you were able to knock on the door of the White House. Interesting that they say there is more danger now, there really is not, it is just more quickly transmitted to the masses that it has happened. I am sure President Lincoln would agree that he experienced terror as did others back then. Their life expectancy was very very low and anyone could have a gun. I say it is the same, just made more sensational.

[sheltonmac]

Nice to see that someone got it! ;-)

[11B3]

This tripe flies in the face of everything that made this nation great to start with: Rugged individualism. Instead, the author whines incessantly about "feeling safe" like some skinny little girl with a bruised knee. If you are waiting for the Feds to save your sorry a$$ like the rest of the sheeple, more power to ya - that way those of us who survive all this won't have to feed you. The only ones that they are going to save are themselves. There are a lot of us out here who don't want Uncle Sam and his long arm of the law supervising our every waking moment. We don't need more cops, we don't need another layer of government to pay for, all we need is for you sheeple to stay alert to stay alive. Quit breathing out of your mouth for a few minutes a day and pay attention to your suroundings. Report anything out of the ordinary. If we all did that, we'd be safe without having every other person in a police uniform. It's called doing your duty as an American - not waiting for someone else to take care of you. FOR ONCE.

This nation could use a little population management - and the author of this is one of those who deserve to be culled.

[Hugin]

I would have more sympathy towards this argument is the government were doing everything they can to protect us without eroding our liberty first, but they aren't. They won't arm pilots. They won't put the military on the border. They won't crackdown on illegal immigration, and speed up deportations. They waste time strip searching grandmas from Iowa, while refusing to pay extra attention to Muslims for fear of being accused of "racial profiling". They won't tell the Saudis that we will not issue any more visas to Saudis as long as they pay suicide bombers, glorify them in their media, and promote Islamic extremism in American mosques. None of this would even require action by Congress, the Bush adminsration could do it on their own. Until they do I can't support further erosion of our freedom.

[dead]

I was uncertain of the author’s intentions, until “If history is any indication, every civil liberty you give up now will be promptly restored…”

(though he could certainly find a few total knuckleheads around here who would agree with that statement)

[fogarty]

"To those who insist on holding firm to the Constitution and making the government's job harder than it has to be, let me remind you that WE ARE AT WAR. Get behind the president and show your support. All of your worries are unfounded. If history is any indication, every civil liberty you give up now will be promptly restored once this war is over. That's a promise.

This has got to be one of most clever trolls I've seen, or the most idiotic screed on FR in recent years. If history is any indication, the constitutional rights sacrificed now WILL NOT BE RESTORED once this 'war' is over. In fact, barring an armed revolution, consitutional rights will likely never be restored.

So, you can go pound sand, Mr Shelton. You are no better than a Communist, if you're willing to give up all your rights for the sake of the mere promise of 'security'. I took an oath to the US Constitution, not to any president, or any political figure. If the US government abandons the US Constitution, then it will be my duty to fight it, as it has become an enemy to the Constitution.

[Black Agnes]

Of *course* all those nice little liberties will be restored...just as soon as we WIN WIN WIN! Let's ROLL!!!

[gatex]

"...After all, how can liberty be enjoyed if one cannot feel safe?..."

"Arbeit Macht Frei."

[PISANO]

LIBERTY IS OVERATED?!!!!!?!?!?!! An absolutely unfathomable statement. I am speechless!!

[SpottedBeaver]

(If there is any confusion, be sure to click on the source link.)

Indeed. Nice source.

*NOTE: This is a satirical piece designed to expose the twisted logic of the "win at all costs" crowd, and the views expressed herein should not be confused with the actual beliefs of the author.