"Those who sacrifice essential liberty for temporary safety are not deserving of either liberty or safety." -- Ben Franklin, 1776
In the wake of 9/11 and subsequent terrorist attacks around the world, there is a real temptation to allow the government to take away some of our most precious rights in exchange for greater security. We must resist this temptation. In order to have a free society, there are certain prices that have to be paid. One of those is the possibility that someone will take advantage of our freedom and use it as an opportunity to endanger us. So what if they do? Giving up any part of our freedom is not the answer. In fact, that's exactly what the terrorists want. When we do that, they win.
The U.S.A. Patriot Act is a step in the wrong direction and could represent a slippery slope toward further erosion of our rights. Write your Representative and Senators and ask them to repeal the U.S.A. Patriot Act and avoid passing similar legislation in the future. If we don't do something soon, the U.S. could soon have policies similar to many communist, fascist, and Islamic fundamentalist countries, all under the guise of greater security!
People have accused me of being "obsessive and overzealous" on this issue but that's okay with me. Ask some of the senior citizens in Cuba who have been under Castro's repressive regime for 45 years how they feel now. I bet many of them wish they would have been a little more "obsessive and overzealous" about their freedom in 1959, instead of standing by passively when the communists took over. Look what it's gotten them!
If some of those currently under Islamic rule in the Arab world were free to say what they thought about their situations now, I bet many of them would tell you they wish they would have been a little more "obsessive and overzealous" about protecting their freedom instead of sitting by passively and letting the Islamic fundamentalists take over.
What about North Korea? Could a few more "obsessive and overzealous" defenders of freedom have prevented that country becoming the communist threat to the world that it is today?
What about Nazi Germany? Could Hitler's rise to power have been nipped in the bud if his opponents had been a little more "obsessive and overzealous" instead of being so timid? Could we have used a few more "obsessive and overzealous" defenders of civil liberties in Germany when six million Jews were losing their lives?
What if George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the other Founding Fathers would have just given in to England's demands instead of being so "obsessive and overzealous" about their freedom? And Patrick Henry? Surely he was an "obsessive and overzealous" person if there ever was one. Why he was even "obsessive and overzealous" enough to say "give me liberty or give me death" and really mean it!
There are plenty of well-meaning but misguided and fearful individuals out there who are lobbying Congress to limit our First and Second Amendment, habeas corpus, and other rights even further. We must let our voices be heard or the voices of those people will be the only ones they hear. It only takes a few minutes to make a difference. Of course, it doesn't take any time at all to sit back and let your rights completely erode. The choice is yours.
"I would remind you that extremism in defense of liberty is no vice." -- Barry Goldwater, 1964
Terry Mitchell is a software engineer, freelance writer, and trivia buff from Hopewell, VA. He also serves as a political columnist for American Daily and operates his own website - http://www.commenterry.com - on which he posts commentaries on various subjects such as politics, technology, religion, health and well-being, personal finance, and sports. His commentaries offer a unique point of view that is not often found in mainstream media.
Halogen Software Wins Top Human Resource Product Award
Halogen eSuccession? solution recognized for its best-practices approach and easy-to-use functionality.
Rights Groups Respond to Botswana Bushmen Being Blocked From Going Home Despite High Court Victory
Three human rights groups - The Indigenous Land Rights Fund, Diamonds for Africa Fund and First people of the Kalahari - all reported last week that last Tuesday, January 2nd, the Botswana Government defied its own High Court's ruling and refused to allow the San, or Bushmen of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, or CKGR.
Production Company Secures Film Rights to Pro Wrestling Legend’s Autobiography
Film rights to Pro Wrestling Legend Larry Zbyszko’s soon-to-be-released book, Adventures in LarryLand, have been secured by the Rich Dickerson Media Group. Tentatively titled, “Adventures in LarryLand,” it is based on the wrestler’s autobiography which is expected to be released this fall by ECW Press Toronto.
Phthalate Esters Panel, American Chemistry Council Provides a Review of Leading Human Studies on Phthalates
Marian K. Stanley, manager for Phthalate Esters Panel at American Chemistry Council takes a look at the leading human studies on Phthalates to clarify the matter for critics and supporters.
illuma to Sponsor Human Capital Institute's "Talent Acquisition for Emerging Growth Companies" Initiatives
The Human Capital Institute (HCI), a global professional association and educator in talent management strategies, and illuma, the leader in the field of Enterprise Recruitment Management for emerging growth companies, announced today that illuma will sponsor HCI's Talent Acquisition for Emerging Growth Companies education and research track, one of several topics addressed in HCI's Talent by Sector community of interest, a community specifically tailored to the human capital needs of organizations within specific industry segments.
Magic Bullet(R) Owner, Homeland Housewares, LLC, Reclaims International Brand Marketing Rights
Homeland Housewares, LLC, owners of the world famous Magic Bullet(R) brand, announces it has reclaimed international marketing rights for the Magic Bullet brand from its present licensee, Thane Direct, Inc., as part of its ongoing long-term business and branding strategy. Homeland Housewares, and its related entity Alchemy Worldwide, LLC, will market the original Magic Bullet(R) as well as a host of new and innovative products worldwide, excluding the Scandinavia countries and Australia, where Thane Direct, Inc. is vertically integrated.
"Possession Is Nine Points Of The Law": Your Rights If You Possess Land That You Don't Own
Believe it or not, squatters do have certain rights - in fact they are far more extensive than most people realize. Of course, if you possess land without the permission of the owner, you can be legally thrown off the property by the owner (this is known as "ejectment" in legalese). But under most circumstances you have a superior right to possess that land than anyone else in the world except the owner. If I move into a vacant house that is owned by Olga Owner, of course she can throw me out. But if Olga is on vacation in Germany and Steve Squatter comes in and throws me off the property, I can actually sue Steve for ejectment and win, as long as I sue before the statute of limitations runs out and as long as I can prove that I possessed t...
The Pros & Cons Of Resell Rights
Resell rights products are extremely popular among entrepreneurs and those seeking to make some extra cash on the side. If you are in the business of buying or selling resell rights, then it?s important to know the pros and cons of each. As is the case with every business, there are both benefits and drawbacks and it?s important to understand them before jumping into a sea of competition.
Keystone Human Services Acquires Impact Systems, Inc.
Keystone Human Services has acquired Impact Systems, Inc., a Pennsylvania provider of intellectual disability, autism and mental illness services. Both Keystone and Impact Systems are industry leaders in integrative, community-based support, and together they will constitute the largest and most comprehensive provider of community residential services in Pennsylvania. Through the acquisition, Impact Systems will be converted from a private for-profit company to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Keystone subsidiary agency, and Keystone will establish a comprehensive, regional system of care serving 27 counties, increasing the choice, affordability, accountability, effectiveness and quality of services available to persons served by both organizations.
You're Only Human
No matter how much positive energy you have, and no matter how enlightened you think you are, there are going to be times when you find yourself in another place.