The long and winding road.
As I was reading about the confirmation hearings of General Michael Hayden, I came across a statement by Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) and was immediately struck by the contrast with another statement made many years ago by an American patriot.
The distinguished Senator from Kansas made this statement: "You have no civil liberties if you are dead." According to the Chicago Tribune's article, To leak or not to leak is question at CIA hearing, May 18, 2006.
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry said: "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
It's an interesting contrast. On the one hand, we have a career politician who advocates the sacrifice of liberty in order to preserve life while on the other hand, we have a revered patriot who advocates sacrificing life in order to preserve liberty. Few would argue that America has come a long way since the days of the American Revolution. What bothers me is how far we have strayed from the ideals that drove those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to provide us with our liberties.
Senator Pat Roberts evidently doesn't think much of our national heritage, our tradition of honor and bravery in the face of adversity, or the price paid by our fellow Americans to preserve the liberties he is so willing to throw into the trash. Come on Senator, buck up. Don't let fear control your life and please don't allow your fear for your personal safety to lead you to trash the liberties so many other patriotic Americans have fought and died to protect. Don't be such a coward.
Senator Pat Roberts may prefer to live on his knees rather than die on his feet but not me. I'd much rather face the uncertainties of terrorist attacks than the certainties of fascism. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
The distinguished Senator from Kansas made this statement: "You have no civil liberties if you are dead." According to the Chicago Tribune's article, To leak or not to leak is question at CIA hearing, May 18, 2006.
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry said: "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
It's an interesting contrast. On the one hand, we have a career politician who advocates the sacrifice of liberty in order to preserve life while on the other hand, we have a revered patriot who advocates sacrificing life in order to preserve liberty. Few would argue that America has come a long way since the days of the American Revolution. What bothers me is how far we have strayed from the ideals that drove those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to provide us with our liberties.
Senator Pat Roberts evidently doesn't think much of our national heritage, our tradition of honor and bravery in the face of adversity, or the price paid by our fellow Americans to preserve the liberties he is so willing to throw into the trash. Come on Senator, buck up. Don't let fear control your life and please don't allow your fear for your personal safety to lead you to trash the liberties so many other patriotic Americans have fought and died to protect. Don't be such a coward.
Senator Pat Roberts may prefer to live on his knees rather than die on his feet but not me. I'd much rather face the uncertainties of terrorist attacks than the certainties of fascism. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
posted by Alec Smart | 8:54 AM
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