Will my children have to fight for the freedom that we all enjoy now?

Question

Many countries are bringing in new laws under the auspices of combating terrorism and crime. How far are these going to reduce the rights and freedoms of our children and future generations?

This is the real JD Fortune, the frontman of INXS. Visit the band's official website: http://www.inxs.com

Answer 1

I think the biggest concern you should have is the rights that are being taken from us right now by illegal immigrants. Yes the world is more dangerous, but here at home, we still need to focus and fight right now to protect our rights being stolen right out from underneath us.

Answer 2

I can answer your question with another question - Are we really au fait about the war on terrorism & crime?

So many of us are used to living an austere life. A life where crime is so common - just like teen pregnancy. Will we get to the point when acts of Terror are considered common?

We'd all love our children to grow up with the opportunities that we are provided with in abundance but wouldn't we also like our children to have the opportunity to grow up to begin with?

Freedom - as is everything in life - a two sided senario. It is a state of mind, but also a physical struggle. These laws are there to protect our future generations. Adaptation is required for all things new. This is one of them.

To fight is to take part in a battle, a war, a boxing match, or in some other attempt to kill or harm someone. A fight is a determined attempt to prevent or achieve something. Either way if we put up a fight we are only re-creating the initial problem - the entire reason these laws have been brought into place is protect us all from Terrorism and Crime.

If we can adapt - without putting up a fight - we can change the world for the better.

Answer 3

The simple answer is 'yes', future generations will have to "fight" for the freedoms of today, as long as the general public allows those in "power" to make decisions without quesioning the motive or reason behind these laws/acts. For the most part, those who are intolerant of other opinions and uneducated about the issues, will chastise those who do question what is going on, and as long as the majority is willing to look the other way our freedoms will continue to dwindle. As to how far these freedoms will disappear, is up to not only the individual, but to the collective population. When the public appreciates what we had, and what we don't, enough becomes enough, and we then must take a stand. It is all about knowing who we are, where we came from and knowing where we are going, to really understand what we have, while respecting those in our past, who fought the fight for what we have here and now.

Answer 4

Hi JD,

I'm not sure. I think that WE all have to fight to maintain our freedom here and now, that we need to believe we have the right to enjoy our civil liberties in any way we chose provided we observe the laws of our countries and some basics of being a civil human being. If we do this now, if we are prepared to say that yes, we live in a dangerous world, but that the right to freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom to travel umimpeded, and freedom of belief (the most important there is in my opinion), are basic human rights, then perhaps your children can live in a world where those freedoms already enjoy protection.

Terrorism is a terrible thing, and I cannot begin to imagine the pain the families of those who have suffered at the hands of terrorism must feel.

But, imagine being an Iraqi mother. Imagine knowing that every day your children, your husband, your whole family, lives with death and suffering hanging over their heads.

We talk about freedom, but do we ever talk about the rights of these people to enjoy freedom from terror as well?

I think for your children to enjoy a world that knows freedom, we need to stop waging war and forcing our beliefs on cultures that don't embrace the same values as us. Does it make them wrong? No, it makes them different. People on the whole are afraid of things that are different. And yes, I include myself in that.

I hope we all understand that a minority of people in all cultures hold beliefs that are radical, that endanger others, and that many of us find abhorent. Do we legislate every time something bad happens because of these people? Or do we hold true to our own beliefs of freedom and protect the rights of those we may even hate, because if we can't protect their rights, then surely we must also give away our own?

An interesting question you've posed. I hope you're enjoying the answers more than you did on Rockstar! lol. At least read these ones JD. ;o)

Best wishes from New Zealand for Christmas and New Year. Hope you have time to chill out and relax because you've been way busy since finishing the show. Take care and keep the faith.

Hugs,
Chris.

Answer 5

Hi JD, my name is Kim. Like you I have no children but I often think of the future of our next generation. You ask “Will my children have to fight for their freedom?” That question is sadly a reality we have to face. It scares me to think that my children could end up living in a world full of hatred. Sure this world has evolved in many ways over the centuries, but despondently it has remained the same as well. What I mean is, hatred lives in this world, it always has. You can not put a price on freedom. So by causing war to protect freedom, it is putting the price of death on freedom. As long as hatred lives, unfortunately so will war. Some people say that freedom is not a God given right. I beg to differ. I feel that no human being should have to be told what to think, how to think or who to love. Those are freedoms all humans should have the right too. I feel fortunate to live in a country that allows me those rights, however, am I really free to think, say, do or love who or what I want?? Not really. There are still guidelines and the government calls it morality. I dream of a world full of hope. Hope can be achieved if we all strive for that possibility. Teaching our children that the world we live in, would be a better, safer place if we treat all human beings with respect. Until that day comes freedom, our freedom, our children’s freedom, will always be something that we fight for. Unfortunately, I don’t think anybody can truly answer your question. All we can do is try to make a difference by what we teach our children. Then hopefully your children, my children, the worlds children can give you a positive answer one day. We all have a voice, it’s just about getting the right people to hear us.

Answer 6

Jason,
I believe your question is multi-layered. As many have outlined, 'freedom' is a word that is relative to ones own personal experiences and beliefs. As a Canadian, I have had many freedoms that I have taken for granted. I now appreciate the innate comfort I feel when I question and challenge my government's decisions/actions (which I do frequently). Many people feel they are betraying their country by questioning their leaders. How can one be free if they are not able to express, inquire, and require the truth?

The new laws under the guise of anti-terrorism are being fed to the public like the pablum of weapons of mass destruction. Knowledge is power. What is this data for? Who is taking it, where is it stored, what is the purpose?

We must make the mainstream media accountable in asking the hard questions. The media should be putting the government under the microscope on this topic. I personally do not like the idea of my fingerprints, retina scan etc. being stored away in another country's database. I believe you have to have a court order for DNA collection yet you can be subjected to these laws at some airports?

Will this information do more harm than good? I believe so. We could end up creating nations of micro-chipped people that are monitored (like many cars are) from satellite to 'protect' our borders.

We are all vulnerable and fear is used as a tremendous arsenal for an agenda waiting for an opportunity. I believe in open dialogue and showing countries, by example, what freedom truly means rather than breaking freedom down into what it once was and now is.

Freedom is a philosophy that can only be maintained if it is as protected as the country it dwells within.

I appreciated your generosity when I met you in the hotel lounge in Kelowna with the band (virgo shirt xchange). Keep writing the words. Music can change the world - it already is.

Ali

Answer 7

If we don't fight now our children won't have any freedom to fight for at all...The idea of an utopian society is a great dream but never going to be a reality. As long as humans dominate the earth there will be war and suffering, it's in human nature. The freedoms that our generation have had are never going to be the same for future generations, 9/11 changed all that. The world is in a bad place right now and certain laws are needed to protect us, no matter how inconvienent it may be for us. I for one would rather sit in the airport for a couple hours than get on that plane knowing that security was lax and anything can happen...We as a society need to stop pointing fingers, at politicians, different religions/ races, and take responsibility for our actions and try to accept that "most" of the new laws are in our best interest.

Answer 8

Hi JD. This is definitely a tough question to answer. As a mom to two small boys, I often wonder what it will be like when they are in their 30's or 40's and starting families of their own. As a parent, we must encourage our children to take an interest in the world in which they live and stand up for what they believe is right.

The world is a different place than it was when our parents were raising us (in the 60's & 70's) and the world will be a different place another 30 or 40 years from now. We can only hope that peace will prevail - but how that will be achieved, I really don't have an answer.

Since 911, the government is walking a very fine line - protecting people but invading their privacy while doing so. As a Mom, I want to keep my children safe, there is nothing more important to me than that, but at what cost? I wish I had the answer, but I don't.

I really want to thank you for using your "public" status to raise the awareness of this issue.

Enjoy your "holiday" and I look forward to seeing you and the boys again next year!!!

Peace! JDF27

A faithful & loving fan from Mohegan Sun, Bridgeport, Madison Square Garden & Foxwoods.

Answer 9

In 1755 (Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, Tue, Nov 11, 1755), Franklin wrote: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

I fear Benjamin Franklin foretold the future! Our collective fears of terrorism have changed many nations. Safety, either real or perceived, has become paramount…even at the cost of some of our liberty. The freedoms we have long extolled are slowly eroding. I fear it’s a slippery slope that once citizens are willing to compromise some freedoms, where will it end?

However, there IS hope for the future and our children, so long as we don't take the freedoms for granted. A strong democracy (although imperfect) is the very foundation upon which freedoms can be secured. There will always be those in power willing to take freedoms, albeit with misguided, but good, intentions. As citizens, it’s our responsibility to not allow ourselves to become complacent. We must be aware of the issues, write our representatives, protest and vote.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt said it best: “The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over government.”

SIDENOTE:
Jason, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing INXS at more concerts next year. Five this year simply wasn't enough. ;-)

Take care of yourself and glad to see your knee is better!
Janna

Answer 10

Future generations are going to be living in a completely different world: We cannot predict what they will face in their time. But with each new law implemented towards "security", you lose a little freedom. Because of 9/11, North America has awakened to the fact that terrorism is now a world-wide problem, not just foreign. And this new awareness has created a deep-seated fear of terrorism. But how far should we go before our own laws backfire on us? It is not new laws brought in from other countries which will affect future generations, but our own. Be careful what you reap, you may not like the harvest.
When you have to fight for freedom, it's not freedom.

Answer 11

It's a sad world when one cannot see past the next day or week, let alone towards the future. That's the way that I feel right now. Everyday, I shy a little further away from the news. And the injured and death statistics. Wouldn't it be an awesome world if we all could live in harmony or if that were not possible; learn to ignore the pettiness and get along? I'm always reminded of that Anne Murray song, A Little Good News Today. That's my wish today...my attainable wish. To have a day with no bad news, no killing and no pain. It does begin with us and I know that. Unfortunately, I can't see a few rules thrown in the ring by a few choice countries; making much of a difference. It will take the world, as a whole to make a significant change.
JD? Keep doing what you are doing. Keep writing uplifting songs with INXS. Songs that your children and the world's children will listen to, in the future. They are your future fans, you know. Stay true to yourself and let no one tell you otherwise. Thanks to you, I have many friends in many countries and continue to make them. Online friends who made a quilt...and friends of your quilters. Your music, with INXS inspired a great many friendships and respect! Thanks to you, we have no boundries, except to be proud of who we are and where we are. Be proud...cause we are!
Peace and love are wonderful things. I can feel it in my heart and in my mind. Maybe if others could do the same...it would be a great start. As a fellow Nova Scotian, I am very proud of you. It took strength to post such a question in such a public place. Especially knowing, the replies would be both good and bad.
And no, I am not an overly religious person but...IN GOD I TRUST. We all have to believe in something and I have to believe that HE will not allow the world to destroy itself. Or, should I say...a chosen few...who always have their fingers on "that" button, be able to destroy it; for us.
Bless us all....we need it!