Reply #20: ...

[Libertas1776]

A government must make certain necessary precautions and steps to secure its nation especially in a democratic republic like ourselves (or whats left of it) :kick:
However, citizens and the govt of such a "free" place must realize that there will always be people that wish them harm because of their freedoms and liberties. We take a risk enjoying these freedoms but its the most worth wile risk in the world. Would you rather live in a police state, under 24 hour surveillance, because I will promise you will be secure from outside enemies, but from your government, thats another story.

The great Founding Father Benjamin Franklin once said that "anyone who would give up essential liberty for a little temporary safety, deserves neither liberty nor safety."
Another great Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson said "Our duty is... to act upon things as they are and to make a reasonable provision for whatever they may be. Were armies to be raised whenever a speck of war is visible in our horizon, we never should have been without them. Our resources would have been exhausted on dangers which have never happened instead of being reserved for what is really to take place." --Thomas Jefferson: 6th Annual Message, 1806. ME 3:424

George Washington, at the end of the War for independence, had the entire power of the continental army behind himand could have marched right into Philadelphia and declared himself dictator. Instead, he resigned his commission and returned to farm his Mount Vernon. He was also a man who proposed the establishment of a permanent Department of Peace!:patriot:

These great men were peace loving but quite willing to protect their liberties. Why are not we?