FREEDOM OVER SECURITY

In World War II, our predecessors did not choose security over freedom. In
Korea, our country did not choose security over freedom. In Vietnam, our
government did choose safety.

Now they tell us we are all targets of terrorists. They say our enemies do
not distinguish between soldiers and civilians. They say we all face the
dangers faced in the past only by soldiers. But that does not mean that we
are targets. It means we are soldiers. It means that our deaths may have
meaning.

I choose freedom. I'll choose death if it means that my neighbors will
continue to live the lives our forefathers gave their lives to preserve.
But if it means that my government can now tap my phones, if it means that
my neighbors can be detained because of their religion, then we should just
surrender now.

My ancestors feared neither Indians nor cowboys nor grizzly bears. We lived
outdoors and trapped, and killed each other over cattle and whiskey and
gold. We picked a fight with a world power because we didn't want to live
like peasants. We killed 20,000 of each other in one day at Gettysburg.
Today our murder rates top the list. Our cities host gunfights, drugs,
homegrown bombers, anti-abortionists and militia.

We should worry about fundamentalists halfway around the world? We should
give up our Constitution? We should chose security?

I'll choose freedom.

Doster Esh

Richmond