Monday, November 19, 2007

the false dichotomy trap...

"human rights" or "national security"?
This is a false dichotomy.
The correct answer is, "Yes!"

For more than two centuries this country has defended itself while - at least in principle - respecting CIVIL rights.

There is no inherent conflict.

I would go so far as to say that, if there is an apparent conflict, that conflict itself is evidence that we have failed at "national security": We have failed to preserve the ideals upon which this country is based, as embodied in OUR Constitution; we have failed to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

A quotation, attributed with some semblance of legitimate pedigree to Benjamin Franklin, sums up the matter nicely:
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

No comments: