Does the phrase "Give me liberty or give me death" mean anything to people who value safety OVER liberty?

Answer 1

Ron Paul 08

Answer 2

The Iraqis are saying they want safety from their militias and the heck with liberty. In any case, Islam doesn't recognize liberty.

Answer 3

The quote is attributed to Patrick Henry as he was at the gallows to be hung for treason against the King.For those illiterates out there,he was one of our founding fathers who helped unite the colonists(us) against English rule.
And to the others who would choose life as a slave over death as a free man;you are nothing but a coward,thank God Almighty that we have young men and women who have joined the military to protect your unworthy lives.

Answer 4

I love when liberals use this phrase never EVER reading the entire speech. especially this part.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!

Let me paraphrase, war is inevitable and the Almighty GOD will prevail. wonder why this is never talked about by the "progressives"

Answer 5

I don't exactly know what you mean with safety over liberty but to me if I can't be free I rather be dead although we are not really free but they cut us some slack. Death doesn't sound soo bad when you think about slavery.

Answer 6

I think a person has to take in to mind what was going on at the time that line was first used. People then didn't hate the government of this country as much as people do now. Back then it was more important to have freedom from oppression then anything else. We don't have oppression like that in this country so comparing the two isn't a balanced argument.

Answer 7

Everyone wants to be safe AND free. But in today's world, so many Americans base everything on fear of the unknown.

This whole War on Terror of the Bush Administration is a perfect example. People are afraid they are gonna be blown up by a terrorist, but even if we had 2 911s each year, the chances of getting killed by a terrorist would be infinitesimally small. Still, people think THEY or their loved ones will be the ones attacked, so they give away their civil liberties.

Another perfect example. Two people across the entire country die from salmanella poisoning related to spinach. What do we do? We pull ALL spinach from the markets (and still have never found the culprit). Can we say overkill????? It's all based on fear and media hype.

Safety is important, but the way we Americans are letting it rule our lives and our politics is utterly ridiculous. And the War on Terrorism is a 'war' that can never be won. It's like the War on Drugs. Kill one terrorist or drug dealer, and another takes his place. You have to fix the root problems, not use a machine gun as a bandaid.

Answer 8

This country (US) was founded on rugged individualism and not pacifist pollitical correctness. Had our forefathers been concerned with the feelings of others or safety, then the dream of a new world and America would never have come to fruition.

Nothing of this magnatude worth gaining was never easy or "safe" in its attainment.

Answer 9

No. The phrase means nothing to Republicans.

Don't forget that Patrick Henry was both a Patriot and a Liberal, two groups hated and feared by Republicans.

Answer 10

The neocons believe in safety and security over liberty...look at all the laws passed after 9-11. No big deal to them.

If we lose our liberty in the name of security....then we are no longer free.