In time of actual war, great discretionary powers are constantly given to the Executive Magistrate. Constant apprehension of War, has the same tendency to render the head too large for the body. A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence against foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.
– James Madison, Founding Father and 4th President of these United States
No outside force can end freedom in America. The only force that can end freedom in America, is the American government itself. This is the main lesson of the 15 years since 9/11.
The notion that we must preemptively give up our freedoms to protect our freedoms is so remarkably infantile and irrational you’d think almost no one would fall for it. Yet fall for it they do.
On the other hand if you are a serious person and want to examine where the real threat to American freedom and liberty resides, look no further than Washington D.C..
From Foreign Policy:
CIA Director John Brennan said Monday he suspects the Islamic State is currently working on more terrorist plots against the West following Friday’s attack in Paris that killed at least 129 people and injured hundreds more. He also criticized new privacy protections enacted after Edward Snowden’s disclosures about U.S. government surveillance practices.
In his remarks, Brennan said the attacks should serve as a “wake-up call” for those misrepresenting what intelligence services do to protect innocent civilians. He cited “a number of unauthorized disclosures, and a lot of handwringing over the government’s role in the effort to try to uncover these terrorists.”
Perhaps next time you shouldn’t unconstitutionally spy on everyone and lie about it.
Brennan also said the United States had “strategic warning” about the terrorist attack in Paris, but did not provide details, other than to say it was “not a surprise.” He said he believed the attack was planned over “several months.”
Sure, just give up a little more freedom and we’ll protect you next time. What an asshole.
For related articles, see:
How America’s Modern Shadow Government Can Be Traced Back to One Very Evil Man – Allen Dulles
Ray McGovern: “Obama is Afraid of the C.I.A.”
CIA Torture Victims Launch Lawsuit Against Psychologist Masterminds Behind the Program
In Liberty,
Michael Krieger
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It strikes me that too few are questioning (hammering!) the massive failure of the security state to protect people from these putative terror attacks. Why permit more of a loss of liberty and freedoms when everything done so far in the name of security fails time and time again? Why permit the current loss of liberty in the name of safety to continue as it now stands when it is clearly a failure? Doesn’t the mere fact that the Paris attacks were not avoided show that everything the French government (and other governments) has done so far to protect people has been futile? In fact, less than futile – security measures have been counterproductive with respect to both liberty and security. More of the same is not the solution, but an insanity. I hope this event could be a rallying cry not for more security, more aggression, more war; but rather to dismantle a system of fear and aggression that breeds enmity, insecurity, and paranoia.
Call me a simpleton, call me naive, but wouldn’t it make more sense to mend differences rather than fortify them? But who in the government ever speaks of peace? It is always about overpowering and defeating the enemy rather than seeking understanding and resolution. Real men all around! Such men will carry a big stick, and so long as they are awake and holding the stick, we are given the illusion of security. Real lasting security only comes from having no wish to harm anyone, and no enemy who desires to harm you.
Well said and in my opinion accurate.
“You are free to spend your money as you choose”
No money, no freedom
Money is freedom
An impoverished nation, Russia, chose Putin because the Western freedoms don’t mean much to the poor.
“A nation of sheep will soon have a government of wolves” — Edward R. Murrow
Look at a photo of John Brennan. Is that the face of peace, love and harmony? No. It’s the face of evil.
“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.” – Frank Zappa
To know who is behind the attack just figure out who benefits.
Great post, Abinico Arts .. you just took the words right out of my mouth .. two thumbs up 🙂
“Those who would give up Liberty for a Modicum of Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
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