Liberty versus Security.“Those who would sacrifice essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” This phrase, or some similar form, is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. We would do well to recite it daily. It reflects the strategy of Al Qaeda – American liberties willingly sacrificed by those seeking security. “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” It may be a little wordy but it’s our 4th amendment. It’s the direct victim of Al Qaeda-induced paranoia. The Bush administration would concede it to Osama bin-Laden as they tap phones without court approval. Fortunately our courts have halted that infringement of liberty. There are many who argue that FISA is flawed and that Presidential discretion is justified by our current “war.” FISA or not, the 4th amendment doesn’t exclude the Executive Branch – even in war time. If we allow the establishment of an American police state, (run by a theocracy?) we’ve simply established a new Middle-East annex. Change the religious symbols and Osama would feel right at home. Michael Previous: Mr. Gore, Where Have All the Hurricanes Gone? -- Next: In Others’ Words… Comment from willCode4Beer: I can’t agree with you more on this. It seems too many people are willing to turn the “land of the free, home of the brave” into land of the controlled/watched, home of the snivelling cowards. They say there is a line between caution and cowardice. I’d say that sacrificing liberty for fear is waaaaay over on the cowardice side. One thing that’s concerned me (you may have even mentioned it too) is how so many in favor of the 2nd ammendment seem ok with letting go of the freedoms guaranteed in the rest of the bill of rights. If Janet Reno had had the freedom that Alberto Gonzales has to invade our privacy, I think we’d have a lot more Waco/Ruby Ridge incidents in our history. Its took bad there are so few who care about the entire bill of rights. Maybe if we could replace prayer in schools with study of the constitution. Posted by willCode4Beer Aug 19, 06:47 AM # |
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