Those who would exchange freedom for security deserve security. Those who would give up their freedom have a personal right to do so and therefore deserve to have their intentions realized. When the first Europeans came to the North American continent, they gave up their security for freedom. They gave up the security of a familiar home and a familiar society in favor of the freedom of a new beginning in America. Our country, having been founded on such principles, encourages such attitudes. This country, similarly, should also uphold the opposite point of view. If we're allowed to give up security for freedom, there is no reason we shouldn't be allowed to give up freedom for security.
Sometimes giving up freedom for security is desired. Some people yearn for a supportive structure more than they do total freedom. They should be allowed to wish for this just as the Europeans wished for freedom in the New World.
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3 comments:
Justine Freeman P5
I agree with your statment about how europeans came to the americas to be free. I think that people Deserve FREEDOM and SECURITY, not just one or the other.
Like Annika said, "some people yearn for a more supportive structure more than they do total freedom" this is beautiful because people should be able to wish for whatever but its up to the people to make it happen. For exapmle MOVE to somewhere else if you dont like how a nation is ran && stop wishing because it doesnt get you anywhere.
I disagree with your opinion. In the words of Patrick Henry, one of the greatest American patriots in history, "Give me liberty, or give me death."
By this he meant that security without freedom is not security at all. It is nothing short of a dystopia. For instance, the Bush Administration's laughably named "Patriot Act," which enables illegal wire tapping among other violations of personal freedom, is a perfect example of what happens when a government believes security equals freedom.
When a government believes it has the right to redefine a constitution that has guided our country for over 200 years, and its citizens allow it, then none of us should be surprised when things like racial profiling, illegal search of premises, and religious persecution occur.
Although the Bush administration is careful to explain why they need to make these adjustments to our constitution in the time of terrorism and war, in fact terrorism and war have always existed. It is our freedoms guaranteed by our constitution that give us the greatest hope and power to fight those who would try to terrorize or make war upon us.
Therefore, if one is not willing to fight, as Patrick Henry, Martin Luther King, Thomas Jefferson, and organizations such as the ACLU have done, then we will forever be at the mercy of people within a government, who will be more than willing to take advantage of those who stand by silently and say, "I guess the government knows best."
Zoe Erb
I agree with you, Zoe. There is no security without freedom. It is a false hope and will never come to pass because you will always be at the mercy of someone else. You will be dependent on a government that cannot back promises of security. Is it really worth giving up your own personal freedom to hope such a thing exists? All we have to do is read through history to know it's a recipe for disaster.
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