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

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

[sheltonmac]

Those worrying about the erosion of liberty in this time of crisis often quote Benjamin Franklin, who said, "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. We are at war and should be expected to sacrifice some liberty for safety.

According to a national poll taken recently by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, seven out of 10 Americans said that they would give up at least some of their civil liberties to improve security. That shouldn't be at all surprising considering the magnitude of the terrorist threat to our nation as well as the rest of the free world.

The same poll showed that about 90 percent of Americans favor having more police assigned to patrol public areas. 70 percent believe that there should be a law requiring adults to carry a national ID card with their photograph and Social Security number, and roughly half support the idea of random police searches in public places.

It is clear that most of America is behind the president in his effort to eradicate terrorism. The few individuals who are not seem to be those who are clinging too tightly to their precious Constitution. They refuse to give up even the smallest right, when doing so might mean the difference between victory and defeat.

These people, whether they realize it or not, are the terrorists' strongest allies in this war. Any attempt to detract from the plans of our president and his administration is tantamount to treason. If they can't learn the concept of "go along to get along," they need to be silenced. This war needs to be won-no matter what the cost.

When terrorists attacked our shores on Sept. 11, the fear-mongers immediately launched into their tirades against U.S. foreign policy, particularly our support for Israel. They talked about how the actions of our "empire" fueled the hatred of Islamic fundamentalists and how we should adopt a more isolationist position on global matters. All this, of course, is nonsense.

While the United States may have been able to avoid foreign entanglements at one time, we must realize that this is the 21st Century. This is not the world our forefathers knew. The Constitution may have been good enough for a fledgling nation 200 years ago, but we must evolve beyond such a narrow worldview if we hope to remain a global superpower.

Ronald Reagan once called us to be a "city on a hill," a place upon which all eyes of the world would be cast. If we allow a dusty old document like the Constitution to prevent us from doing what is necessary, we shall lose the respect of those who look to our nation as an example of greatness. No, we must maintain our lofty position in the world, and if that means behaving like an empire, so be it. The only alternative would be to succumb to terrorism, and that cannot be an option.

We need to be more positive. We need to be more supportive of our government, especially now. The president should not be criticized for doing his duty as Commander in Chief. Yet, through it all, there are those who not only see the glass of liberty as half-empty, they see it as the wrong beverage. This unpatriotic attitude was evident when President Bush signed the Patriot Act into law.

I feel I should point out that when President Bush signed the Patriot Act, he was doing what nearly half of all registered voters who actually bothered to vote elected him to do-lead. The people of this nation wanted a leader with an iron resolve and this president has shown that he is the man for the job. Rather than get behind the spirit of the Patriot Act, some disgruntled people would rather focus on the ambiguous aspects of the legislation and live in fear of the worst-case scenario.

As the poll above shows, this administration is merely doing the will of the people. Doing anything else would not bode well for the GOP this November. It would also hurt the president's chances of getting re-elected in 2004, and ensuring his re-election is absolutely vital to winning this war on terror. No other politician has shown such dedication and strength of character. Honestly, I shudder to imagine where this country would be without President Bush at the helm.

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.

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

[A CA Guy]

Just proves that YOU pay for what you DON’T know. The only case you rest on is the need for a better education of how to legally avoid paying that much tax.

I honestly suggest you get to a good tax lawyer for some over-due advise.
Being you must be in the big time, I am sure you can unlock the home-vault and buy some desperately needed advice on your finances.

Knowledge is power.

[NittanyLion]

Just proves that YOU pay for what you DON’T know. The only case you rest on is the need for a better education of how to legally avoid paying that much tax.

I suggest you post how to avoid paying sales tax and Social Security taxes here. I'm sure it'll make a fortune for you. Dolt.

[Temple Owl]

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

--Lee R. Shelton IV

Did you leave this important ending off on purpose?

[dead]

Knowledge is power.

Judging from your posts, that California power crisis is much worse than I thought.

[pyx]

*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.--Lee R. Shelton IV"

Thanks for jerking us around. I know I was amused. < /sarcasm>

[A CA Guy]

Your comments are foolish to me as shown in the cute one about anyone in California must be stupid for living there. You must be VERY YOUNG.

Corporations are just tools for the people who run it. They are not there to pay taxes if run properly.

[mhking]

*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.

D'oh!

[max61]

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

The author is a coward and a traitor.

---max

[headsonpikes]

"I know I was amused."

Lots of us were!

I still am, for that matter.

Tee-hee!!

[A CA Guy]

California has a lot of people on the take (money from welfare or a job related to the state).
We get Democrats in control here because they all give away the state treasury.
It is getting to be a national problem.

Davis is an empty suit. We are looking forward to his being run out of office.
Even with that you have a Democrat state run system here.

Any state with big cities and high populations suffer the same problem with Democrat controlled state governments.
High populations in cities all seem to have their hands out as a habit.

[dead]

You must be VERY YOUNG.

Thanks, but I’m older than I look.

I try to eat right and exercise.

Plus goofing on morons like yourself reminds me of high school and keeps me young at heart.

Thanks again.

[sheltonmac]

I think you felt jerked around because you, too, have seen many posters here on FR use those very arguments. There is nothing in this essay that hasn't been previously uttered by post-9/11 "conservatives."

[sheltonmac]

"Did you leave this important ending off on purpose?"

Yup. See post #120.

[A CA Guy]

To start with, self-employed people or people who employ are able to reduce what qualifies as income if they use the law correctly.
Someone who is only an employee has less protection. Though even an employee can go start a business on the side and start reducing his earned income against the costs of starting and running the side business.
It would NOT require a corporation at all, but you would be getting well informed about keeping good records and a scheduel C.

"Directly" calling me names (dolt) though, I would suggest you cease since in the last half hour alone you have broken the rules twice here regarding personal attacks and could be getting yourself banned.
An accidental mistake only happens once.

You can get the point across or not agree without being nasty.

[A CA Guy]

Stop the personal attacks, you are going to get yourself banned.
We can disagree, but no sense in getting yourself banned over you losing control for a moment.
Turn it down in that area a bit for your own benefit.

[dead]

With all due respect, bite me.

On this thread alone, you asked one guy if his mother tried to gas him as a lad.
You called another a “dolt”
And you called me “VERY YOUNG,” complete with all caps, and that hurt my widdle feelings.
On other threads, I’ve seen you accuse people of being drug dealers and liars without a shred of evidence.
I believe you were even the guy who suggested that one guy was pimping his mom and his sister.

Spare me your hypocritical lectures, jerky.

And go ahead and “report me for abuse” you little narc. It’s soooo your style.

[sandmanbr]

"According to a national poll taken recently by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, seven out of 10 Americans said that they would give up at least some of their civil liberties to improve security.

That just proves my suspicion that 7 out of 10 Americans are fools.

[tonycavanagh]

Not a bad ironic essey

[don-o]

Lee,

That is one fine and well crafted essay. In these days, satire is almost impossible, because reality is just too weird.

Wonderful work.

Don

[don-o]

It was kinda vague in spots. Needed more overt satire.

I disagree.

I think the tone was just right. As I said in a previous post, satire is almost impossible in this weird and media saturated world.

The writer tuned his instument right on pitch for my ear.