What do you think of "My rights are best protected by protecting your rights"?

Question

This is a "civic" Golden Rule by Os Guiness.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20070108/cm_usatoday/achallengefortheagesonecountrymanyfaiths

The soldier has not "given" us our rights, but he is defending them for us and deserves our gratitude.

By the sentiment in that poem, we should be ready to give the military control of the country. That's farthest from the truth.

Answer 1

I have never heard this but I think it is essentually true, if I lose a right then you lose one also. It might not effect you as much as it does me but eventually one will, so if you are willing to give up my rights then you are willing to give up yours. Yes this does make sense.

Answer 2

I would say that this is not accurate.

The people who _do_ protect your rights have had to give up some of theirs in order to do so.


It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

By Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

Answer 3

Good rule - and the soldier referred to in someone's little poem would in all likelihood agree with it.

Answer 4

give them the country. Your intellect is astounding as you feel gratitude is conveyed by dominance and I note your position. Anyway, gratitude with a thank you and not material status.

Answer 5

makes sense.

Answer 6

guiness is that the beer guy