"The Constitution is not a suicide pact"

[Sparkly]

Clearly that's the new rightwing talking point (re: warrantless domestic spying).

So unless we shred the Bill of Rights, we'll all die!!! :eyes:

[htuttle]

1. Actually, it is

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
-- Ben Franklin, after signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

on edit:
Doh! I was off by about 200 years on the date...

[Deja Q]

4. And would they be hung today,

some 30 years later? :rofl: (You mean'1776', I know! :D )

[MrModerate]

10. Naaah . . . just rendered to Romania n/t

[Guaranteed]

19. Well said. And we're well past the point of no return.

In for a penny, in for a pound with this democracy thing.

[eallen]

2. Respond: the issue is oversight, not spying.

No one is arguing that the NSA shouldn't perform wiretaps, even domestic wiretaps. The only issue is whether the executive can define this process on its own, or whether there needs to be legislative definition or judicial oversight.

[Avalux]

3. 9/11 changed everything!

The Constitution is meaningless; Bill of Rights was written before terrorism!!!! x(

Where did you hear that incredulous quote, and by whom?

[Sparkly]

5. I saw it earlier in GD

in a um... 'spurious' post, if you will.

Then I just heard Bill Bennett say it in CNN, and he prefaced it with, "As (blank) said..." (I didn't catch who he was quoting, but it seems to be in the latest script.)

[Avalux]

6. Ew! That piece of filth -

shouldn't even allow him on TV. Digusting the things they say.

[koopie57]

7. but but but ...

I believe it says in the bible that bush can add signing statements to the constitution.

[muntrv]

8. Uh, yes it is. The founding fathers spoke in terms of giving your

life to protect it.

[welshTerrier2]

9. "give me liberty or give me ..."

what was that quote? i can never remember it ...

haven't thousands of Americans died defending the freedoms embodied in our Constitution?

what the hell was that stupid quote? ... oh yeah, i got it ... "give me liberty or give me freedom fries" ... it's something like that ...

[CTD]

11. Someone used this line on me today while discussing the ruling

It must be today's talking point.

I just emailed the guy and asked him to tell me where he heard it.

[Sparkly]

12. Turns out it's an old phrase

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Constitution_is_not_a_suicide_pact

But they're sure broadcasting it today...

[ryanus]

13. I got flamed by some people with that here

here ->http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1928521#1928914

But I guess if other people quote it, that's ok. Just kidding.

I found it on FR.

[Sparkly]

14. It would make sense that it was on FR.

They're VERY good parrots, and repeat the catch-phrases dutifully.

[donkeyotay]

15. So, if we're a Christian nation, and freedom is god-given

then it's okay to chicken out and throw it away, and it's okay to give away other people's god-given right to live in liberty, if you're ascared?

[niyad]

16. clearly I haven't had nearly enough to drink--what in the HELL is that

phrase supposed to mean?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

17. No, it isn't.

I quite agree the constitution is not a suicide pact.

I'm glad we've got that sorted out.

[Uncle Joe]

18. On the other hand TRASHING THE CONSTITUTION because of fear,

would be a suicide pact, not to mention treason by the supposed leaders whom swore to uphold it. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe they swore it with their hands on the bible, for whatever that's worth.