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Losing Liberty and Security

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" Ben Franklin.

After traveling to Warsaw and back this week, I can honestly say that the security procedures that have been enacted are pointless and farcial.

In the name of safeguarding our security, travelers are now subject to the kind of intrusion that no free person should have to undergo. We are constantly told that "the terrorists must not change our way of life!". Apparently, they already have.

Since we know that we can never be 100% safe from terrorism, we have to decide what is an acceptable level of risk.

I believe that in their futile search for complete security, our political leaders are corroding our liberties.

I believe that this process must be stopped immediately.

The risk of any single individual being hurt or killed in a terrorist outrage is very small- the risk to our freedom from these pointless restrictions is now certain and is already unacceptable.

We should be watching the results of the Police investigations very carefully- if this turns out to be another Forest Gate, then John Reid, the Home Secretary, should be instantly dismissed.

His political grandstanding, based on fear, which is dubious now, would be totally unacceptable then.

Comments

Gavin Whenman said…
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"

You're quite right, the current situation, and the seemingly endless intrusions on our civil liberties, risk corroding the very society we are trying to protect.
5:36 pm
Anonymous said…
I agree.
What can we *DO* about it? Besides complain?
3:23 pm
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