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liberty vs safety
'It's amazing to me how much people are willing to put up with for the illusion of safety.'

isnt it though? what i find even more amazing is how people pick and choose the liberties they are willing to give up for various illusions of safety. even more amazing is how inconsistent people are in their application of this principle, generally because their preferred political party swings one way or another.

for example, quite often the same people who complain the loudest about things like the patriot act are in favor of 'gun control', and the ones who will fight the hardest against giving up their right to own guns don't see a problem with things like this article discusses. i realize it comes down on party lines, but common sense would seem to dictate if you are willing to sacrifice liberties, you should be for *both* gun control and intrusions into your privacy to obtain more safety, and conversely, if you want to maintain your liberties, you should be against *both* gun control and privacy intrusions, because giving up one opens the door for more. if you are willing to give up one liberty for a little safety, why not all of them? and if you are unwilling to give up one, why compromise on any?

'Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.'
- attributed to benjamin franklin
Posted by: eLurker   Posted on: 09/22/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Funny how they're not nearly as eager to investigate 9/11!  Jeff Spicoli | 09/21/04
It was guy on the grassy knoll.  gsbtech | 09/21/04
this makes so much sense  Jeff Spicoli | 09/21/04
emotion is never objective  gsbtech | 09/22/04
Blindly follow  blacksheepxlch1 | 09/23/04
Yeah, this is going to work  Chad_z | 09/21/04
Un American  seosamh_z | 09/21/04
what next?  gsbtech | 09/21/04
What next? more terrorism!  Jeff Spicoli | 09/21/04
terrorism is not just about 9/11  gsbtech | 09/22/04
terrorism is not just about 9/11?  SOUTHWRITE | 09/23/04
as long as they have incentive  mcak@... | 09/22/04
Patriot Act  wolf4867 | 09/23/04
liberty vs safety  eLurker | 09/22/04
everyone has their crusade  gsbtech | 09/22/04
Nice Argument.. Too bad it's flawed.  bob249 | 09/23/04
then...  eLurker | 09/23/04
Yeah, This is Going to Work  mlj_z | 09/23/04
Well folks make up your minds then! You can't have it both ways!  DigitalKid | 09/22/04
US Response to Terrorism  Locks3 | 09/23/04
at least there has been a response  eLurker | 09/23/04
US response to potential threats  Locks3 | 09/25/04
Well Said  poakland | 09/23/04
Where does it stop  newsshooter | 09/23/04
You can have it both ways.. that's the beauty of America..  tm_2004 | 09/23/04
There is a difference between gov and citizens  gallagher39 | 09/23/04
an example of why this new policy is ridiculous  gsbtech | 09/22/04
Safer  robert@... | 09/22/04
cat stevens no longer exists (nt)  eLurker | 09/23/04
Big Brother is watching - for real now  AnneFtl | 09/22/04
You gathered more info than I give the airlines  ayalakarsh | 09/22/04
the end of privacy in the US  bibert_71@... | 09/22/04
What a bunch of girly men  macebobo | 09/23/04
So open discussion is crud?  SOUTHWRITE | 09/23/04
Sure ignore the threat!  blacksheepxlch1 | 09/23/04
Goodbye America : Hello USSR v 2.0  colin.hutchison@... | 09/23/04
Catch-22  catgic | 09/23/04
Grow Up  SAJ_z | 09/23/04
Just another intrusion  robbarley@... | 09/23/04
More police state?  blacksheepxlch1 | 09/23/04
You all act like you have somthing to Hide.  dulljr | 09/23/04
So what?  Dr_Zinj | 09/23/04
I'll bet you leave your car unlocked with the keys in the ignition too.  dulljr | 09/23/04
Think about this  blacksheepxlch1 | 09/23/04
I do, and so do you.  NottaFan | 09/23/04
Feds order airlines to divulge passenger details  Dr_Zinj | 09/23/04
Have We Avoided Attacks Since 9/11 or Not?  km8295@... | 09/23/04
Do you really believe that?  blacksheepxlch1 | 09/23/04
Feds Demanding Information from AirLines  WarriorWraith | 09/23/04
Passenger List Details  poakland | 09/23/04
china  eLurker | 09/23/04
That's what I know!  poakland | 09/23/04
incorrect  eLurker | 09/23/04
Really!!!!  poakland | 09/23/04
Who are you kidding  wolf4867 | 09/23/04
911 a Bin Laden family gift to Bush  TrustMe_z | 09/23/04
screening  tequila89@... | 09/23/04
Well then...  ArtMac | 09/23/04
who  eLurker | 09/23/04
Once again the innocent get dumped on.  mickeycee | 09/23/04
Feds and airlines  wolf4867 | 09/23/04
Questions!!!  poakland | 09/23/04
Homeland Security  EasyEd_z | 09/23/04
Americans seeking political refuee status  billie_an | 09/23/04
Sounds like you have something to hide?  Winfan | 09/24/04
Aldous Huxley was right  cqo | 09/24/04
Goverment????  Bio_nuclear | 09/30/04

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