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Personal Freedom Versus National Security:
A Challenging Dichotomy
There are many things about the United States of America that cause people all over the world to be envious. But, those feelings of envy, which we have learned can quickly be turned into feelings of hate and all out rage, has nothing to do with the fact that the average citizen in our country is head and shoulders better off financially than the rest of the world. Those who are envious are not concerned with our educational system, our judicial system, those monetary things that few others have but we take for granted, or any of the everyday things that we enjoy that gives the majority of us a pretty good quality of life.
The thing that just really just gets under the skin of those, whom we now know are our enemy, is the basic personal freedoms that each of us enjoy day in and day out as American citizens. Truly, the success of our country is based on those enalaible rights and freedoms that have been a part of our country's history since our forefathers decided that we would become a country. It is also these same rights that continue to fuel the hate of terrorists in many parts of the world and that make Americans even more resolute that they are preserved.
With such determination, it is not surprising that some people are increasingly nervous about certain policies and programs that have been initiated by the government based on the events of September 11, 2001. The government has convinced us that these policies are simply measures that must be in place to ensure that another September 11th type of event never occurs again. In the early days and months after the attack, few would argue the necessisity of such laws as the "Patriot Act" and law enforcement's "Matrix Program" that were quickly installed. These laws and programs better equip our nation's law enforcement system to investigate, locate and ferret out those terrorist who were a danger to us all. As time has passed the enthusiasm and patriotism that was widespread, has begun to subside to some degree. More and more people have become vocal about their dissatisfaction with law enforcement measures that are being utilized under the "terrorism" umbrella. The government has attempted to assure those critics that these measure are necessary and few could argue that they have not been successful. As the war in Iraq drags on and a presidential election is near, those voices are going to get louder and louder.
The challenge of ensuring that our personal freedoms are being recognized and the challenge of defending our country from terrorists is a mammoth task. Where do we draw the line concerning searches, security, our borders, and any other matter that may have global repercussions if left unchecked? Quite simply, we draw the line in a shape and direction that allows us to protect our country first and our personal liberties second. If that is interpreted, by some, as a melting away of those rights that our forefathers fought for, I would respectfully disagree. Most experts agree that we will never live in the world we knew pre September 11, 2001. We must do all that is possible to find those people that are determined to bring us to our knees. If achieving this goal means that we have to stand in line at the airport a little longer, then so be it. If achieving this goal means that the FBI might be monitoring calls between terrorists and their supporters, then so be it. If achieving this goal means that we can expect unannounced searches of our homes if we are planning and plotting to cause harm to this country, then so be it. If protecting those rights, that have been guaranteed to us since our nation began, means adjusting and changing some of the conveniences that we are all so accustom to, then so be it. Many things in this world are debatable, but there are two things that are not. First, there is no debate that this country will be the target of those who wish us harm for many, many years. Second, there is no debate as to the fact that this country will prevail and defeat any enemy, no matter what they may call themselves.
Those who are true Americans will recognize these facts and will do whatever is needed to make this country stronger than ever, even if it means personal sacrifice on some levels. Those of us, who are not, will continue to moan and groan about the government overstepping its boundaries. They will continue to say that we are nothing more than school yard bullies to the rest of the world and will continue to chastise those leaders who are trying to preserve all that is American for our children. These protests will be made, utilizing one of those rights known as free speech, knowing full well that they only add fuel to the fire in the belly of terrorists all over the world.
Perhaps my views on this dilemma are simplistic, but perhaps those who are objecting the loudest are in need of a simplistic explanation. It is important that we remember the importance of those rights and freedoms that we all enjoy. It is also important that we remember all of those sacrifices that allowed us those freedoms. Most importantly, we must recognize that if our country is destroyed, those rights and freedoms will not really matter.
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