I saw a great quote over on /. and went to confirm it’s veracity before sharing. Not only did I confirm it as being authentic, I found that it was part of a whole essay on the topic. Herewith, from noted scifi author Jerry Pournelle, come these thoughts on preserving freedom.
Our answer to al Qaeda shouldn’t be to restrict our own liberties. It should be to restrict theirs.
Instead we clamp down on our own liberties in the hopes of preserving them.
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. And guarding our liberty shouldn’t take the form of giving a lot of it up …
Perhaps I am remembering another Republic, in peace and in war, but I would rather make our enemies afraid than intimidate our own citizens.
You can read the entire essay at Jerry Pournelle’s web site.