by Darrin A Yarbrough

Created on: March 16, 2009

American's most precious resource is their civil rights. The historical birth of this nation was founded on the philosophical foundations of John Locke whose works can be seen clearly in the Declaration of Independence. There is absolutely no possible logical reason to sacrifice American civil rights for the purpose of national security, at least, not in the context for which those rights were founded. This is because it is clearly illustrated in the Declaration of Independence (if one chooses to have an example) that life is simply not worth living in the absence of those rights.

This is probably not quite as simple as it seems, therefore, careful thought must be given to the logical connection between actions designed to protect the people and the consequences of such actions. Although, on the surface it may seem important to protect and preserve life at all costs, the consequences of such protection can be a life devoid of anything worthy of enjoying. Taking some time to recognize some of the efforts of our forefathers and predecessors will lend some degree of clarity to the issue.

A simple example would be the terror and oppression illustrated during World War Two stemming from the rise of the national socialist movement in Nazi Germany, the foundations of which remains very similar to actions designed to preserve national security. The really scary part of the knee-jerk type of reaction to terrorism, like implementing increased national security, is the origins of such actions are being implemented by our own hands. We still have the right to choose (for the moment).

Recognizing that there really is no defense against acts of terrorism conveys some sense of clarity to the situation. By stopping to think about an act of terrorism and understanding that regardless of what law is implemented to combat it, it becomes evident actions designed to elevate national security do very little to eliminate the threat, yet do a whole lot towards limiting the freedoms of the American people.

The situation becomes synonymous with the actions of a few affecting the livelihood of many. This makes implementation of laws designed to elevate national security actually synonymous with terrorism itself. While, enacting laws that restrict citizens for the purpose of national security does not seem similar to a terrorist act that kills innocent people, if the end result is to instill fear in the mass public that is exactly the message elevated national security conveys.

Similarly,

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