Just yesterday, John Reid, the UK Home Secretary, said...

[Kutjara]

...'the UK might have to modify its freedoms in the short term in order to prevent their "misuse and abuse" by terrorists, John Reid has said. He conceded that was never an easy request, but it was up to everyone to ask: "What price our security, at what cost can we preserve our freedoms?"'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5257518.stm

<snip>

I guess we know what he was talking about now.

[MrModerate]

1. Ben Franklin had the showstopper for that one . . .

Which I'm sure you've all heard (paraphrased) before: "Those who would trade a little temporary security for their liberty will end up with neither."

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. But in the UK, Ben Franklin is known for inventing the lightning conductor

and nothing else in particular.Slogans like that don't get paid too much attention to in the country that he was rebelling against.

[MrModerate]

3. Actually, he has quite a following in the UK . . .

For his statesmanship, entrepreneurial success, and being a highly interesting character.

The quote (slogan if you prefer) is true -- and ignored at our peril -- regardless of whether it's popular in the UK.

[mr blur]

4. Actually, we're not that big on slogans here

Or bumper stickers, or flags. But we do know who Franklin was, we just don't care that much.

And John Reid is a lying wanker.