Brent Budowsky: 'Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death'

[babylonsister]

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/080807b.html

'Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death'

By Brent Budowsky
August 8, 2007


Patrick Henry’s words ring hollow after Congress passed, and the president signed, a law of enormous constitutional and security importance in an atmosphere of fear, without any semblance of serious debate. Again.

While many members of the House and Senate and leading legal scholars did not fully understand this as the roll was called, this law expands the reach of surveillance of American citizens, on American soil, communicating with those “reasonably” targeted while abroad, without protections that have long existed.

snip//

Shame on Democratic leaders for lacking the courage to make a fight worthy of the occasion. Shame on Republican leaders for being co-conspirators in the destruction of the people’s House and the great deliberative body as a co-equal branch of government.

Shame on politicians who pander to fear, and politicians who succumb to it. Shame on the media that hype it, and highest level officials who oppose this but still lack the courage to speak out clearly. Shame on all who let this happen in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Shame on Reid and Pelosi, shame on Boehner and McConnell. Shame on those who act like Soviet Politburo members and try to bully a sedated attorney general, and shame on everyone who knows that leading officials of American justice were prepared to resign en masse, in protest, and do not demand to know exactly why.

When Congress returns and the presidential campaign begins in earnest, the question of the hour should be: Are you for Patrick Henry, or against him?

[acmavm]

1. Yep! They're throwing away our freedoms, the freedoms countless

Americans fought and died for for over 231 years. They think their precious hides are worth more than all that blood and sacrifice.

[dflprincess]

2. If the Congress we have now had been in Philadelphia in 1776

we'd be singing "God Save the Queen" before ball games.

[rateyes]

3. I like Patrick Henry on this quote...

I'm not much on him when it comes to church and state...he wanted the government of Virginia to pay for teachers of religion. That's what got us Jefferson's Statute on Religious Liberty, after which the first amendment was crafted, and Madison's Remonstrance. But, I'm with him on:

"Give me liberty or give me death!"

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