The powerful tell us to treasure them, defend them, yet give them up when national security calls. From our first social studies class to our final history exam, we are reminded that this country was built by men who valued them above all else, even life. Dear readers, I’m talking about civil liberties — those imaginary red-white-and-blue freedoms that completely protect the individual from government. We’re told our troops die for liberties abroad so we can enjoy them at home, but I can’t convince myself we have them at all. News reports from the past six months serve as evidence.
The War on Terror is purported to make us safer but requires us to submit to embarrassing and invasive searches when we board airplanes or enter government buildings. Well, we may be embarrassed but our tormentors seem nearly gleeful as they enforce their rules and regulations while we politely smile and squirm and obey.
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