A Different Take On Franklin

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

This is one of those quotes that has been making the rounds for quite some time now. I seem to hear it most when arguments are raised about civil liberties, wire taps, right to trial, etc. These are all valid points, and I hope to get in to some or all of them at a later date. Right now, though, I would like to consider the quote in a different context.

Essential liberties come in many varieties, most of which are so easily granted in the U.S. that we can take them for granted, or even treat them with disdain. We can proceed to a polling station without threat of violence. We can elect or defeat a candidate and not be killed for it. We can go to our jobs or the market with little worry that the car on the side of the road will explode as we drive by or that the downtown bus will be riddled with gunshot. There are some criminals about, to be sure, but the risk is so low that most of us do not even consider the danger. Sadly, some must. But for the most part, we are "Secure." Not so in Iraq.

There are many who consider the violence over there a civil war. Perhaps. I am not convinced, at least not that it is only a "civil" affair. There have been too many instances of foriegn involvement in weapons and personnel. And perhaps I'm romanticizing the military a bit (I was in the service for a time), but most "soldiers" that I've known are a little more discriminating in their targets and methods.

We need to figure this out though. If it really is a civil war, we would do well to leave as soon as possible. The result would be painful, but in the end it would be more merciful than continuing a futile political solution. If, however, this is not a civil war but the plan of evil men within Iraq and without, then we dare not leave. In that case, the test is not of arms, but of will. We have had such tests in the past, and we have failed. The rules are changing now, however. In a very short time, men who thrive on death will have access to all of the power they need to spread their terror throughout the globe. If they will not negotiate in Iraq, will the negotiate in Spain? In England? In America? How much would we give up to not live with the threat of someone crossing the border at night with a suitcase that could level several city blocks? Would we give up our laws? Our rights? Our God? Think about the possible consequences, and make the decision you can live with. To paraphrase Mr. Franklin:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty in Iraq, to purchase a little temporary Safety in America or Europe, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

And temporary is never long enough.