Give Up Some Rights to Fight Terrorism?
It is a good idea to limit or moderate certain liberties and rights. I say this because when terrorists come to out country they basically have the same rights we do as natural or naturalized citizens. Thus, they can perform the same things we can without someone asking anything.
Let’s say, for example, John the terrorist goes into an explosive shop and wants to buy two thousand dollars worth of explosives. He pays in cash. This should perk the clerk’s curiosity, but anyone can pay in cash if they so please. So, the clerk thinks nothing of this. A couple of days later a building is blown up and hundreds or thousands of people die.
The clerk could or would have been able to stop this if he simply had to ask John for a permit or some other proof that he needed the explosives. To get this John would have had to provide information about his person. Undergo an investigation of his background, and various other privacy invasive things. But now, because of the Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act, John would have to apply for a permit and the spending of two thousand in cash is a red flag to tip the clerk that he should have extra proof of John’s intent or at least report the transaction to the authorities.
However, to relinquish these rights to the government, will likely lead to further infringement of our rights. If one takes a look at the history of our government and their promises to return things they “borrow”, you will find that they do not. An example is Social Security. During World War Two the government need more money to help pay for the war, they asked for the use of Social Security. They got it but forgot to return it. They still count it as part of the general treasury. Hence, we hear the argument that we can not privatize it because of the loss to the treasury.
So, if we let them “borrow” our freedom of speech, right to privacy, and any others in the name of National Security, they will argue that other liberties and rights are hampering the effort to fight terrorism. Thereby, opening the flood gates of a government that no longer meets the one our founding documents proposed and the people accepted.
No, I say it is time that some actually do something. It is time for the people and the government to get kicked into gear as far as working to defend and secure as well as to maintain our own economy, life, and overall country. Pull our noses out of our neighbors’ business and focus on our problems. As a wise man once stated (I may be paraphrasing as it has come through so many sources I can not remember who told me the first time) “take care of your house first, then with what is left help others”. Terrorists would cease to attack us if we do not impose our will on them or their economy. We must understand that we can not fight wars for others all the time. We must understand that there are a multitude of cultures and beliefs. We must realize we really are not a supper power in the rights and beliefs department. Once all these things are realized and we try to work with rather than be overlords to the world, we will see the brighter side of things and become wealthy not only in economics but in culture.
However, despite all of this I do think we should put limitations on those who visit or have not lived here for very long. But, we must be careful not to let slip our own rights, lest we lose all that we have fought for and gained in the last couple of centuries. So no, we do not need to sacrifice rights or liberties, we may need to limit some liberties that are potentially harmful. But not to sacrifice, ask for moderation. In all truth, I feel that is the best way to handle these difficult times. To give up even part of our freedoms would in a way be supporting the terrorists. How many come from countries that are ruled by a dictator or rebellious groups that put whole populations below the dirt in value and/or treatment? Is this how we want to end up? Moderation, will keep us in line with the foundations of our country and beliefs in what it should be. Sacrifice puts us in line with the terrorists’ and their supports’ ideas for our country and beliefs.
Let’s say, for example, John the terrorist goes into an explosive shop and wants to buy two thousand dollars worth of explosives. He pays in cash. This should perk the clerk’s curiosity, but anyone can pay in cash if they so please. So, the clerk thinks nothing of this. A couple of days later a building is blown up and hundreds or thousands of people die.
The clerk could or would have been able to stop this if he simply had to ask John for a permit or some other proof that he needed the explosives. To get this John would have had to provide information about his person. Undergo an investigation of his background, and various other privacy invasive things. But now, because of the Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act, John would have to apply for a permit and the spending of two thousand in cash is a red flag to tip the clerk that he should have extra proof of John’s intent or at least report the transaction to the authorities.
However, to relinquish these rights to the government, will likely lead to further infringement of our rights. If one takes a look at the history of our government and their promises to return things they “borrow”, you will find that they do not. An example is Social Security. During World War Two the government need more money to help pay for the war, they asked for the use of Social Security. They got it but forgot to return it. They still count it as part of the general treasury. Hence, we hear the argument that we can not privatize it because of the loss to the treasury.
So, if we let them “borrow” our freedom of speech, right to privacy, and any others in the name of National Security, they will argue that other liberties and rights are hampering the effort to fight terrorism. Thereby, opening the flood gates of a government that no longer meets the one our founding documents proposed and the people accepted.
No, I say it is time that some actually do something. It is time for the people and the government to get kicked into gear as far as working to defend and secure as well as to maintain our own economy, life, and overall country. Pull our noses out of our neighbors’ business and focus on our problems. As a wise man once stated (I may be paraphrasing as it has come through so many sources I can not remember who told me the first time) “take care of your house first, then with what is left help others”. Terrorists would cease to attack us if we do not impose our will on them or their economy. We must understand that we can not fight wars for others all the time. We must understand that there are a multitude of cultures and beliefs. We must realize we really are not a supper power in the rights and beliefs department. Once all these things are realized and we try to work with rather than be overlords to the world, we will see the brighter side of things and become wealthy not only in economics but in culture.
However, despite all of this I do think we should put limitations on those who visit or have not lived here for very long. But, we must be careful not to let slip our own rights, lest we lose all that we have fought for and gained in the last couple of centuries. So no, we do not need to sacrifice rights or liberties, we may need to limit some liberties that are potentially harmful. But not to sacrifice, ask for moderation. In all truth, I feel that is the best way to handle these difficult times. To give up even part of our freedoms would in a way be supporting the terrorists. How many come from countries that are ruled by a dictator or rebellious groups that put whole populations below the dirt in value and/or treatment? Is this how we want to end up? Moderation, will keep us in line with the foundations of our country and beliefs in what it should be. Sacrifice puts us in line with the terrorists’ and their supports’ ideas for our country and beliefs.
posted by Luke at 3:09 PM
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