Which do you value more: Security or Liberty?

Question

Are you okay with the increase of governmental intrusion into your life, "for your safety"? Take for example the backscatter machine being pioneered at Pheonix Sky Harbor airport. That machine essentially takes nude photos that are remarkably clear, regardless of how much clothing it has to penetrate. I know, I know. Please don't throw in the "but they adjusted the machine so that the machine operator doesn't see any private parts." Give me a break! So, is that okay with you? And that is just one example.

EDIT: Plenum222- thanks for the response. I agree that "security or freedom" would be more correct, but I went with the one I did because I felt like it had a better 'ring' to it.

Answer 1

No question I value liberty most. But I live in a very secure society. 9/11 made the United States as a people feel less secure, and there have been several measures put into place to make us feel more secure. But any measures that are put into place that violate my civil liberties is going too far. If we lose our freedom to speak out and dissent, our freedom practice our religion or lack of religion, our freedom of privacy then we lose who we are as a nation. This country's great value is freedom/liberty. Security was not a great value. In fact, we should believe that allowing for such freedoms leads to a more secure society.

Answer 2

Freedom.
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Security is a state of mind. Freedom is a way of life.

It bothers me greatly that the government has been intruding into our lives and that it has forced other countries to go along with their irrational War on an emotion... fear.

(By the way, a better question would be, "Security or Freedom". Liberty is a condition given by an authority.

"Freedom" (as used these days) is a natural, biological right - free from any political restraint. Study the definitions between liberty and freedom. Some dictionaries have attempted to veer away from what the founders of the Constitution used, and that bothers more than just a few people.)

Answer 3

While both are important, I do value liberty more than security. If there is no liberty, what's worth securing? Benjamin Franklin supposedly said: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

As far as those new machines, I believe that the image of you appears to be a silhouette, not a nude image. If I remember correctly, from the news reports, you still have the option of physical pat-down.

Answer 4

That's a tough question.
I don't believe you can have one without the other. Liberty without security wouldn't be much if one were constantly concerned with the safety of his family - and safety without liberty would be a pretty lousy way to live.
I have no problem with REASONABLE intrusion into my privacy if it genuinely improves the safety of everyone. My greatest concerns were recently proved when the FBI was given the authority to tap KNOWN terror list suspects - and later was shown to be tapping pretty much anyone they pleased.
Whenever authority or power is given, the opportunity to overstep and abuse it are frightening and must be carefully monitored and kept in check.
As far as the back scatter machine - if I'm on the plane, I want to know every single passenger including the crew has passed through the same scrutiny.
And I especially want to know why any intrusion is deemed necessary.

Answer 5

If our troops are dying and losing limbs to whats been explained to them as a means of defending our country from a next attack, then we should truly show our support for the safety of this country by giving up a few small incoveniences, like wire tapping and x-ray images.

But the prolem has been that what should be kept in strict confidence and only used on a protect american borders, has been misused by this administration.

Its been a clear violation and misuse in power.
But if monitoring my cell phone calls, and looking at an x ray of my penis to se if theres something cleverly hidden besides it that would go unnoticed any other way, then hey, if it stops a few thousand people from being killed, Im all for that.

Im not doing anything illegal.
Too bad bush adminsitration and the current FBI cant say the same thing.

Answer 6

They go hand-in-hand. If there is a persistent danger to undermine our institutions as a nation then our freedoms will also be threatened. Case in point is what happened after 9-11: The Patriot Act. We can almost guarantee that if and when another major terrorist attack takes place here in the US that we may be under more government controls. If there isn't security that meets the threats, then our liberties will most likely be affected.

Answer 7

While I don’t agree with many of the actions taken that curtail our freedoms in the name of national security, there are some I have to agree with. Screening of potential terrorists at airports is one I feel is a necessity. I would also expand it to cruise ships, trains & buses.

In an age where 40% of the profiles on MySpace.com show images with some nudity, is it really a pressing issue that a single person, sitting in an enclosed booth, may see something?

The alternative to this is to do what many nudists and naturists would love to do anyway… Fly Naked.

Not only would it prevent the smuggling and carrying of weapons or dangerous implements, it would screen out the religious fanatics, jihadists, or anyone who doesn’t have a true joy for life. It would also greatly speed up the check-in process.

The above is an excerpt from an article I wrote for my blog last month.called "Safety or Modesty - Could Flying Nude Save Your Life?". See the link below to read the whole article.

Answer 8

Security is an illusion at best when dealing with terrorist. There is only so much one can do to prevent it and none of the things that have been done with Patriot's Act and other regulations and such really make a difference. If you don't believe me ask Israel, England, and Spain about their problems.

This invasions are simply paving the way for our country falling into big brother's hands. It very well may be too late as it is.

Answer 9

It's just logical moment. Look.
Freedom is only way to live good and freely but if your liberty is not secured you are going to loose it and another point - if they are declaring security reasons but establishing tyranny - catastrophe. So Freedom must be Secured and Security must be exercised with care and let the Freedom be.

Answer 10

i value both, but i don't want to fall in the hands of big brother, because big brother is not about security it is more about control.