National Security VS Personal Liberties
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theotherguy
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as Benjamin Franklin once said,
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little temporary security will deserve neither and lose both. "
It is repeated throughout history that rulers modify constitutions or laws to remove personal liberties for temporary powers to maintain national security. Caeser did it, Hitler did it, Stalin did it and now Bush is doing it. Usually this temporary bill becomes ultimate law, and the ruler passes more laws and breaks more rules until there are no rules and the ruler has absolute power. I'm not saying bush will end up like Hitler or Stalin, but I want to underscore the ultimate importance of civil liberties vs. national security in history, and as we know, history is likely to repeat itself.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little temporary security will deserve neither and lose both. "
It is repeated throughout history that rulers modify constitutions or laws to remove personal liberties for temporary powers to maintain national security. Caeser did it, Hitler did it, Stalin did it and now Bush is doing it. Usually this temporary bill becomes ultimate law, and the ruler passes more laws and breaks more rules until there are no rules and the ruler has absolute power. I'm not saying bush will end up like Hitler or Stalin, but I want to underscore the ultimate importance of civil liberties vs. national security in history, and as we know, history is likely to repeat itself.
15357
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Reaktor4 said:
I do not understand you, but still you guys remind me of this: http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20060526
The Mullinator
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National security always. Without national security the benefits of personal freedom will no longer exist. However, that does not mean putting all enphasis on security. You only put as much emphasis on it as is needed. In US history there has never really been a time where national security was needed to the point where it would trump a majority of personal liberties.
At the moment national security is important and should be a high priority, however the amount that is actually required is far less than would severely trump personal liberties.
At the moment national security is important and should be a high priority, however the amount that is actually required is far less than would severely trump personal liberties.
