Aaah, the "they hate us because we're free" bit. I hear that a lot, but haven't heard a plausible justification for it yet. From what I've seen, most of the non

Aaah, the "they hate us because we're free" bit. I hear that a lot, but haven't heard a plausible justification for it yet. From what I've seen, most of the non-westerners who are out to attack the West are mostly pissed off because we occupy lands they consider holy, invade their countries, depose their elected leaders, stage coups, supply weapons and training to "Group A" this week, then switch to considering "Group A" our enemy when it suits us, and generally meddle in their affairs. I never said "they hate us because we're free". I said that people want to hurt the Western freedoms. Big difference. I am not justifying the actions by any gov't, but ignoring the reality on the ground is equivalent to burying your head in the sand and hoping the bad guys go away. I don't know what it is with people today... as far as I'm concerned, "Give me Liberty or give me Death" isn't just some archaic catch-phrase to study in the history books... it is the very definition of what it means to live. If we aren't free, what else could matter more than trying to become so - even if it means dying in the process? I hear you, and while I agree with you principle....I suspect that if you were President, you would probably be doing similar things. The mere fact that Obama, who bashed Bush for doing these same things, has gone further than Bush to "protect the motherland" is testament to the enormous pressures on the office of POTUS to prevent major attacks on the homeland. Also...."give me Liberty or give me Death" is a nice trope to roll off your tongue when you aren't a victim of terrorism. I am not saying you are (or aren't). But...quite frequently, many people like to cling to theoretical ideals until they are tested (either experiencing some tragic terrorist event, in this case, that could have been "easily" stopped - or being the 1 person responsible for the safety of everybody else). Either way, these issues are not easy and sticking dogmatically to tropes - despite a changing environment - is not likely a prudent strategy. I don't like the ever increasing encroachment on civil liberties as the next guy, but at the same time....there must be a line on what people are allowed to do and say.