"You don't have civil liberties when you're dead."

[kentuck]

Zack Exley, formerly of Move-on.org, has a message for Democrats. Stand tall. Don't be a coward. Will that message work in the next election?
=========================================

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zack-exley/message-for-08-dems-onl_b_21425.html

<snip>
And fearing some won't understand the stakes of war, people like Senator Pat Roberts spell it out: "You don't have civil liberties when you're dead."

Democratic instincts tend to generate the following automatic response: "Even in wartime, we have to protect our civil liberties!" Very bad instincts. Because, if America really were at war, then it would of course make sense to temporarily sacrifice some liberties -- as well as other things, like tax cuts for the wealthy and good relations with Saudi monarchies.

<snip>
But America is not under attack by an enemy force of any significance. We got sucker punched by 19 maniacs with box cutters. Republicans want us to run scared because of that for the rest of our lives. But the thing about a sucker punch is that you can't protect yourself against it. Any idiot can take the breath out of you, no matter how tough you are. But only cowards -- actually I think "scaredy cat" is more appropriate here -- live their lives worrying about such things. Of course you've got to do your best to stay alert -- in this context that means port, air and many other types of security. But freaking out and becoming paranoid leaves you more vulnerable, not more protected.

<snip>
So should we send hysterical, terror-obsessed Republican leaders into therapy? If their fear were sincere, then: yes. But they're only pretending. If they were really scared of the next terrorist attack, then they'd try to do something to reduce the risk of one: improve port and air security and stop giving the airline and freight lobbies whatever they want. If they really thought we were "at war with the terrorists," they'd stop with the tax cuts, hold civilian contractors accountable for failures to rebuild Iraq, and get tough with governments who actually do allow terrorism to flourish within their borders, like Saudi Arabia.

<snip>
Every Democrat taking part in the '07-'08 primary spectacle will have a choice to make: accept the Republican war paradigm, pretend it's not there, or challenge it head on. Only by challenging it head on will a Democrat be able to win both the primary and the general election.

We need a Democrat in '08 to say: "If you want to live in fear, then vote for one of them. If you want to stand tall, and show the terrorists that we don't give a damn about them, then come with me."

....more

[unblock]

1. yup. they have nothing to run on but fear itself.

[Odin2005]

2. Give me liberty or give me death!

[papau]

5. That is the definition of America - anything less and the Terrorists have

won.

[Warpy]

3. Without civil liberty, you WISH you were dead!

I'd rather risk a rare attack from a nutcase than spend my life in the living death represented by totalitarianism.

[n2doc]

4. We have thousands dead AND no CL

The message needs to be said: Republicans Kill. the 2400+ US in Iraq, the thousands along the Gulf, Not to mention the hundered thousand or so Iraqi's, and God knows who else. So by keeping the "pukes in office you get no Civil liberties and Death. Not much of a deal....

[Catrina]

6. Who's asking for civil liberties when they're dead? We want them back

NOW? What an idiotic thing for Roberts to say ~

[mntleo2]

7. NO, You Have Civil Liberties When...

...you are live, ya meathead. As Pancho V. the famous Mexican revolutionist said once: "I would rather live on my feet, than die on my knees..."

Gawd Republicans make me sick!

My 2 cents

Cat In Seattle

[Webster Green]

8. Our leaders are sworn to uphold our Constitution, not to "protect" us

There is no option for violating our Constitution in order to keep us safe.

[omega minimo]

9. Only the biggest hole in this essay:

"Because, if America really were at war, then it would of course make sense to temporarily sacrifice some liberties"

:wtf:


You don't have any civil liberties when you play dead-- that is what too many Democrats are doing.

:hi:

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

10. and more: If you think America is about more than just war, vote for me.

[meow2u3]

11. But we damn well better have our civil liberties while we're still alive!

Civil liberties are for the living.

[jarab]

12. Without civil liberties we would already be (same as) dead.

"Life" isn't necessarily "living". You do recall, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
I would quite seriously rather be dead than to be living in interminable fear.

...O...

[Doctor_J]

14. That's the message, jarab

If every phone conversation, e-mail, and discussion is subject to government scrutiny, and punishable, and the citizens don't get to vote, or have media that reflect their views, they are pretty much dead anyway.

[The Magistrate]

13. Indeed, Sir, Mr. Exley Is Spot On

The proper line boils down to this:

"What the fuck are you scared of? Yer a fucking coward! Sit down and shut the fuck up."

[Zodiak]

15. I see Roberts' comment as a threat

"Give us your iberties, or we make sure someone dies"