After September 11, 2001, there has been this argument put forth by political pundits, politicians, attorneys and others that claim that in order to win the War on Terror, the rethinking of civil liberties must be done. That Americans, in order to win, must give up some freedoms in order to obtain protections. Even some civil-libertarians such as Alan Dershowitz agree with this argument. I personally find it faulty.
Let’s say for argument’s sake that this is done. When the war is over, will our liberties be restored? The answer is “no.” When government obtains a power it rarely relinquishes it. Not without a fight. Therefore, when anyone says that Americans must surrender some liberties to get the protection of the government, I get very weary.
Ben Franklin had it right when he stated that those who give up essential liberty in order to obtain security deserve neither.