A Question I Can't Answer...

[Brian R.]

How much individual freedom (privacy, assembly, speech, bear arms, etc.) are people willing to part with to ensure safety from terrorists or criminals?

I would draw the line at giving up any freedoms. To me, it is unthinkable to allow people who hate our country to influence our behavior. Seems like allowing them to win in a way...

This question is for more than just Americans. What are the Europeans, Australians, Asians, etc. opinions?

[ZokesPro]

The thing is that anybody can be a potential terrorist, but not everybody chooses to terrorise.

[Dogbert]

I'm willing to sacrifice a few individual freedoms for true and full security.
The worst thing are all those dogooders that cry for the rights of the criminals while forgetting all the time we lost waiting in roadblocks for the police to catch them.

I say, take some individual freedoms for a limited time (even to the extent of temporary martial law), annihilate all terrorism in such a way people would be afraid to even consider trying it again and then return things to normal.

[K6-III]

My view is that one cannot eliminate terrorism until one analyzes the problem, mostly in the southern hemisphere, that allows fringe groups to become mainstream: extreme poverty....

One cannot fight only the symptoms....

[Strahd]

I think there should be some form of world wide weapons control.

[KRSESQ]

""I'm willing to sacrifice a few individual freedoms for true and full security.""

Define "true and full security," please. I assume you're referring to not having to worry about being blown to smithereens on a bus, and that's perfectly understandable. But "true and full security" is not only just an illusion. It can also be a smokescreen for despots and tyrants to oppress their opposition and maintain a political chokehold on the population.

I'd rather put up with the (admittedly small, in these parts) risk of coming into violence in exchange for the privilage of living where I can stand up for myself and not have to worry (TOO much) about being branded a "terrorist" for shooting my mouth off against GWB.

Isreal, I admit, is a unique situation. The country has existed in a continuous state of war for almost it's entire history. This is outside the experience of 99% of Americans, so we find it difficult to empathize with either side in the conflict. That's probably what's gotten us into our current predicament.

Kevin

[Brian R.]

Strahd - What kind of weapons? and how does this relate to the question of controlling terrorists and criminals?

[ZokesPro]

I hate terrorism just as much as the next guy but to be truly safe from it is asking for the impossible. But if it would help reduce it in other countries then I would give up some freedoms.

[KRSESQ]

This revulsion I feel toward the thought of living in a land where only government agents are allowed to handle weapons must have been quite common back when the US Constitution was written. So common, in fact, that the Constitution wouldn't have been ratified if there hadn't been the promise of a "Bill Of Rights" to be agreed upon later.

Who the heck was it that said "An armed populous is the last line of defense against tyranny"?

Anyway, poverty is only half the problem. You also have to contend with those who prey upon the impoverished, rallying them into a mindless frenzied rage to advance their own greedy agenda.

Economic poverty is only half the problem, too. the other half is spiritual poverty which drives some to follow ANYONE who offers a solution to the emptiness they feel inside. How the heck do we combat THAT?

Kevin

[The PIT]

Originally posted by K6-III
My view is that one cannot eliminate terrorism until one analyzes the problem, mostly in the southern hemisphere, that allows fringe groups to become mainstream: extreme poverty....

One cannot fight only the symptoms....

Mmm Northern Ireland. Still terrorism there and compaired to some countries they're living in a paradise.

[Byock]

That is a good dream, But as people have stated, it is not possible. The only way to truly have "Safety and Security" you would have to be locked in a padded cell for life.