The Laughing Wolf

Or Have They Won?

“They imagined, in the words of one terrorist, that September the 11th would be the 'beginning of the end of America.' By seeking to turn our cities into killing fields, terrorists and their allies believed that they could destroy this nation's resolve, and force our retreat from the world. They have failed.”

With these words, President Bush made an important point about the war on terror. The truth is that the rest of the world, and some at home, feel or felt that America did not/does not have the resolve and strength of character to face a challenge. We had run before, therefore we would run again and again. They were wrong, and now face an America that has taken an oath to pursue them, no matter how long it takes, and bring justice to them. Justice by trial or justice by bullet, there is no doubt that justice – not the legal system – will be brought unto them.

Yet, they still have a chance at winning. Their goal was to destroy America, and we need to exercise care lest we destroy ourselves for them.

America is a series of great experiments, all of which revolve around individual liberty and responsibility. That indeed the masses can govern themselves. There are many who hate this idea even today, and want power over the masses for their own use and gain. The concept of individual liberty is an anathema to them, be they at home or abroad. They do not want citizens, merely subjects.

The quickest way to turn a citizen into a subject is to remove the concepts of individual liberty. To have the people voluntarily give up freedoms for safety, or the illusion of same. To have the citizens vote to make themselves subjects.

Understandably, this is happening today. A truly free society is impossible to police using traditional methods. There is no way to track, trace, and conduct surveillance in the way that would guarantee all perps would be caught and dealt with. Not, that is, without creating a massive police state. In the name of public safety, things need to change. Liberties need to be temporarily curtailed for the greater good, or certain freedoms given up to ensure your safety.

This is the most slippery slope of all, and we are already on it. We have been on it for some time, but the events following 9-11 have served to bring it to the fore. Look at history, not just of the United States, but of the great republics – and empires – that have gone before. Look hard and learn the lessons.

There have been some wonderful discussions on Jerry Pournelle’s site that cover this topic in a depth not possible in a short piece. A recent piece regarding Claudius and the creation of the Roman Empire is very thought provoking. Read it and some of the other posts, and follow-up with some of the excellent discussions on U.S.S. Clueless and at Mrs. Du Toit.

I leave you today with a quote and a thought.

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin.

What happens now is up to you. You are responsible. Are you citizen, or subject? The choice is yours.

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