<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chazas:
Well, FlyAAway, I guess we're headed back toward the same discussion I backed out of in another thread. I just can't stand it. My own weakness, I guess. We'll see how long I last this time.
I've got no perfect plan. I don't think there is a perfect plan. Even if we suspended ALL our civil rights and gave unfettered discretion to law enforcement to do whatever they like in attempting to fight terrorism, we wouldn't be 100% safe.
And I'm just not willing to do that, or anything close to it. While I've lost a dear friend due to terrorism, I've also had loved ones who have suffered terribly due to overzealous, out of control law enforcement. Have you? Until you have experienced the other end of the spectrum, maybe it's you who doesn't have the necessary life experience to make an informed judgment.
I love my life and want for me and my loved ones to be safe. But I also want that life to be one worth living, one that enjoys the freedoms that make America, despite its many faults, the best nation on Earth. There's a balance to be struck. We can disagree about where that balance point is, but I wish that you'd acknowledge that the liberties our founding fathers guaranteed for us are worth something, and worth preserving as much as possible, even in wartime.
To say it a different way, there are nations that are extremely safe and orderly. Singapore comes to mind. But that degree of safety comes at a high price, a price I and many others are not willing to pay.</font>
chazas;
Happily, it would appear that we are headed down a different road.
First of all, my sincere condolences on your personal loss. It is a tragedy of the first order. It saddens me that this happened to you. As bad as the Harrod's bombing was, the WTC was even more horrific.
I appreciate your response here; it was quite poignant. It is in no way indicative of weakness.
As you know, I attempt to answer each post with zeal. Perhaps too much. Yours deserves a response. I agree with your statement on balance. I would like to address your post as I have the others, but it is 10:00 p.m. on the West Coast and I must rise at 3:45. I have spent far much time on-line this evening. I am passionate about the subject. I do respect your passion, as well.
Again, I am moved by your loss.