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THE STEEP PRICE OF SECURITY.(ISSUES & INSIGHTS)(EDITORIALS)
"They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety." As we celebrate this nation's independence, we should reflect on the words of Benjamin Franklin.
Liberty now is too often passe. Sure, we're the greatest country on Earth. And we urge all nations to adopt our democratic, freedom-loving ways.
But do we think about liberty -- the freedom to pursue happiness -- at all? After all, the notion spurred the founding of our country and still underpins our lives today.
Sadly, we seem all too ready to accept what Franklin called "temporary safety." Today we call it security.
We depend on an alphabet soup of federal agencies to tell us what's safe or "correct." Does your car get the right mileage? Does your SUV tip over more easily? Are your kid's pajamas safe? Does your broker/mechanic/grocer/lawyer tell you the truth?
Sure, it's nice to know the answers to these questions. Indeed, it would be nice to have the answers to all of life's questions. But when it comes to liberty, we must ask: What price are we willing to pay?
Take the mileage question. In the "70s, in response to a gas crisis that it had created, the U.S. government required cars to get better gas mileage. Wanting to avoid huge fines, Detroit complied.
- Kent State U.: COLUMN: War brings temporary safety -- not lasting peace.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire April 6, 2003 700+ words
...04/07/2003-Kent State U.: COLUMN: War brings temporary safety -- not lasting peace (C) 2002 Daily Kent Stater Via...war to achieve peace. War has, occasionally, brought temporary safety, but never a just and lasting peace. We know only short...
- Temporary Safety.
- Magazine article from: Risk Management Sullivan, Laura January 1, 2000 700+ words
Current labor shortages are forcing more companies to turn to temporary workers as a way to fill the gap, but although these individuals may keep production running, their safety may be at risk. Despite the fact that they face the same dangers and threats as permanent employees, temps often do not
- U. Minnesota: COLUMN: Economic liberties a part of freedom.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire April 28, 2005 700+ words
...give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety...applies to civil liberties but not economic...to our economic liberties, there would...the right of liberty is more important...
- U. Illinois: COLUMN: Price of liberty climbing.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire January 21, 2005 700+ words
...and therefore, liberty which government...individual's life, liberty and pursuit of happiness...think of our civil liberties consistently, rather...give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty...
- Liberty versus security equals controversy; Anti-terror measures; As...
- Magazine article from: Global Agenda November 10, 2005 700+ words
...right balance between liberty and security BENJAMIN...can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." He presaged...precisely are the essential liberties which, when given up...
- Liberty versus security equals controversy; Anti-terror measures; As...
- Magazine article from: Global Agenda November 11, 2005 700+ words
...right balance between liberty and security BENJAMIN...can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." He presaged...precisely are the essential liberties which, when given up...
- Endangered liberty.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
- Magazine article from: National Catholic Reporter Norcott-Mahany, Bernard D. September 12, 2003 700+ words
...can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." I recall...some of our essential liberties: the right to our privacy...potshots at our sacred liberties can only weaken us as...
- Neither liberty nor safety; fear, ideology, and the growth of government.(Brief...
- Magazine article from: Reference & Research Book News August 1, 2007 700+ words
...9781598130133 Neither liberty nor safety; fear, ideology...would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety," Higgs...expense of the citizens' liberties and safety. His work...
- Owens Community College: COLUMN: Patriot Act concerns civil liberties groups.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire February 17, 2006 700+ words
...bill. Many civil liberty groups such as the...threatening to civil liberties, but that they...protection to other civil liberties. While we can all...give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither...
- Kent State U.: Kent State U. professor speaks on civil liberties, national...
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire December 4, 2006 700+ words
...would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety. And while...of our nation, civil liberties and national security...government to restrict civil liberties too far because people...