Freedom VS Security

Many theories and assumptions have been fabricated upon the basis of man’s desires and beliefs. H. L. Mencken wrote, “The average man does not want to be free, only to be safe. ” However, this observation does not correlate with what has been witnessed over the course of contemporary society. Since the 18th century, man has sacrificed safety for a reward that is much more paramount, freedom. Patrick Henry, an orator for freedom in the middle to late 1700’s, knew that liberty was a vital necessity in every man’s life, and that one must do whatever it takes, including sacrificing their security, in order to achieve it.

In his speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, he is most memorably quoted for his concluding antithesis, “Give me liberty, or give me death! ” Henry conveyed to his audience, as well as the entire nation, that freedom is a virtue worth dying for.

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Mencken’s allegation fails to attribute this instance, even though Patrick Henry was able to convince a whole nation that their liberty was worth dying for. In the past we have had many examples of security vs. freedom. During the civil war we had soldiers and people fighting to be free.

They risked their own life everyday stepping out on the battle field just so they could have their own rights. This also happens in the American Revolution; people fight and risk their lives for freedom. Many events in history show how much people truly care about their freedom.

Our Founding Fathers created this nation so we wouldn’t have to be living in a society full of regulation. Freedom vs. Security is a non-stop debate in our country. However, freedom is unalienable. Freedom is what keeps the common man happy. Freedom allows us to treat every day as a new day, knowing that we can do and accomplish anything because we are free.

On the other hand, while safety is what keeps man calm and secure, it is not what our nation thrives off of. Security is a blanket, while freedom is a threshold. Therefore it is desired, while security is expected. No man cries out for safety, but the same cannot be said about freedom. Freedom gives us hope and excitement, while security gives assurance. Both are essential, yet only one is craved. Mencken’s presumption of what man wants, and what man deserves are in disarray. Freedom is everything, and not even safety can over shadow it.

Security Vs. Freedom

In a blink of an eye, a piece of America's heart came tumbling to the ground on September 11. Before we knew why and how, two symbols of our great nation and thousands of lives were gone. As we begin to rebuild and recover, we must decide what is more important to us as a country, security or freedom? House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) has already conceded, "We're not going to have all the openness and freedom we have had." Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) takes an even harder line, saying, "When you're at war, civil liberties are treated differently."(Pena) At the same time you hear people calling to keep their freedoms, they are asking for more security.

What kind of securities are they looking for? Airports are definitely at the top of the list, since the attacks on September 11 did occur as a result of poor security at airports. The federal government proposes to step in and take over as airport security all over the country. They want to give the security guards the right to search everyone that goes into, and possibly out of, the airport. They also want to include an armed federal marshal on most commercial flights. They have already called up 50,000 National Guard soldiers for " among other things " "air and ground security, port security, and civil affairs."(Pena) This will hopefully deter any more attacks on the nation's airplanes or airports. Measures such as these make our free country look like a police state.

Since the attacks people have been on heightened alert about other terrorist attacks such as chemical or biological attacks. These include the setting off nerve gasses such as VX or sarin and the threat of unleashing diseases such as small pox or anthrax. To prevent attacks the government has temporarily suspended the use of crop dusters and is asking many pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more antidotes and vaccines for various diseases that can be weaponized.(Bjerkie 42) It has also gotten to the point already where people are supporting "terrorism" bills that will to allow the government greater power to tap phone lines, listen in on cell phones, and read peoples e-mail.(Thomas 34)

Many people believe that by giving the government this power, that they will have an upper hand when it comes to preventing terrorist attacks on our nation and around the world. The last security that is being taken is road blocks trying to prevent terrorist from either transporting deadly material or just trying to get somewhere in our country. These are all very good and sensible securities that should be taken to defend Americans, but they come at a high price. Imagine waiting for hours in traffic just to go to work in the mourning.

There are many freedoms that could be lost in the coming weeks and months. One of the most important freedoms at risk is a basic freedom stated in the Bill of Rights. Amendment Four states that no one should be subject to unjustified searches and seizures. But this is what they are doing at airports now. Everyone must be searched, even if they pass through the metal detector without setting it off.

Not only is this a violation of one's personal rights, but it is also time consuming. To personally check everyone that goes into an airport takes time and money. Instead of getting to the airport an hour before a flight, passengers must arrive there two to three hours before their flight. Most of that time will be spent waiting in security lines. With all this beefed up security, someone is going to have to foot the bill. Guess who that's going to be? That's right, the consumer.

History amply demonstrates that in times of war, government grows and liberty yields. America's new war on terrorism already shows signs of that as Attorney General John Ashcroft petitions Congress for more power to wage the war. (Kopel) Yet the principal business of government is precisely to wage war on those who threaten our liberty and security. There is a need to step up security. When something like the September 11 attacks happen, you know that somewhere, someone has just dropped the ball, big time. Something should be done, nothing like that should ever happen on American soil. We must also remember that nothing is fool- proof. That if someone wants to blow up an airplane, they are going to find a way. Sadly it is beginning to look more and more like we are still going to have to give up some of our freedoms due to the attack on September 11, so you still have to ask yourself what's important to you?