"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Attributed to Benjamin FranklinPart of understanding any given situation correctly is to understand what the effect of a given action has on others. If one views the recent rash of bombings as isolated incidents or the result of a crackdown on terrorism, some actions might be welcome, if not deemed prudent altogether.
However, when viewed as a string of larger events and scouring the motives of those who would foist 'security' upon us is taken into account, history reveals scores of would be 'protectors' that gladly sell their solutions to a willing public.
For a price.
Take the example of the new decree in London hot on the heels of our own example in the US.
Basically the thinking is 'In order to protect you, we must control you by zoning your speech.' Very much akin to civil code enforcement, laws are made up that we must obey that rescind our liberties. Stalin would be proud.Now, notice who the primary recipients of the discipline are? Are radical mosques being censored? Perhaps, to a degree, but more importantly, we must be consistent with the removal of liberty. Everyone must lose their liberty so that none might be offended. After all, we wouldn't want the perpetrators to feel alone in their suffering.
The Real Effect
Continued evaporation of public perception of their inalienable rights. Note that the rights are still present, we just refuse to assert them. After all, you have nothing to hide...do you?
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