john comments on the uptick in security measures at his work and makes a good point today regarding the potential loss of personal freedom that could result if we’re not careful:
“[The security guard] didn’t make me feel better. He made me feel annoyed. Annoyed that I was being scrutinized, examined, because I went to my workplace. Annoyed and angry that I was being made to display a small piece of plastic with a bad picture of myself on it, in order to get access to a place that I’ve been walking into freely for over a year. Annoyed and angry and sad that because of the events of yesterday, my personal freedoms were reduced just that little bit more, another tiny sliver, whittled away…Annoyed and angry and sad and dejected and bitter because the reduction in my freedom doesn’t, the reduction in your freedom doesn’t, the reduction in everybody’s freedom doesn’t make a damn bit of difference if somebody, anybody, the shadowy “they”, decide to attack us again.”
i had the same conversation with co-workers today and i think a little bit of wisdom from ben franklin on liberty is appropriate:
“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759