Freedom's JusT AnotheR Word for Nothing Left to Lose

Yahoo News When Freedom's Just Another Weapon raises several issues.


"In the war on terror, as during the cold war, the ultimate weapon has been freedom: free elections, free speech, free trade, for instance. But Hamas's win in the Palestinian vote, protests over the Muhammad cartoons, and a US debate over an Arab firm managing six American ports have raised doubts about freedom's worth."


In all three cases, the values of democracy, equality, and openness appear to some people as working against the cause of defeating Islamic terrorists by promoting freedom. Enemies are seen as using the "weapons" meant to defeat them, somewhat like Lenin's warning that capitalists will sell someone the rope with which they themselves could be hung.

As a result of this perception of liberty being turned against liberty, some in the West are tempted to retreat from these principles, which are the legacy of the Enlightenment and the bedrock of civilization and progress.

Hmmm..let us examine this shall we.
The first claim is that in the aftermath of the Danish cartoons, no Western government has stood tall in defending the liberty of free speech. The fear of retribution from militant Muslims has cowed some voices that normally cherish this right.

I concede this is valid and quite alarming actually.

The second claim is that free trade, too, has taken a knock with the reaction in the US over news of a company from the United Arab Emirates that's taken over operations of ports in Miami, New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Baltimore, and New Jersey. Stereotyping has kicked in, and this one involves racism against any Arab entity owning a vital piece of the US economy, especially one that could be an entry point for terrorist weapons.

Stereotyping???
Our Muzlim ahem...associate's record is replete with examples of violence and bloodletting,..um...The World Trade Center ring any bells perhaps?
They have exhibited extreme and passionate contempt for both Israel and the "West".
And they reassure us that the company "has been well screened by the federal government?" If that wasn't so frightening it may actually be comical.


The third claim lies in the Hamas election victory. Both the US and Israel have turned their backs on this result of ahem...cough cough..this "democracy" because of Hamas's past support for attacks on Israeli civilians and its denial of Israel's right to exist.

Clearly liberal thinkers have lost their intellectual sheen. In the name of the Universal value of Freedom - Israel and the U.S. should overlook past behaviors of attack dogs who systematically supported suicide/homicide bombs on civilians throughout the Land...
People who glorify violent resolutions to problems.......
and the mere, trivial fact that they did not and STILL do not recognize Israel's right to exist...shouldn't be met with relentless, feverish scrutiny..but should just be um...overlooked eh?

I know one thing.If you wish to launch an attempt to negatively brand the West and Israel....disengaging from your intellectual roots..is certainly not the way to go.

Protect our Ports.
Protect Israel.
Amen.
oh..and ..by all means publish whatever cartoons you see fit.
This is still a free country ..isn't it?




Freedom of speech is of no use to a man who has nothing to say and freedom of worship is of no use to a man who has lost his God.

-Franklin D. Roosevelt-

Every general increase of freedom is accompanied by some degeneracy, attributable to the same causes as the freedom.

_Charles Horton Cooley_

What say You?


Go see: Liberty Just in Casefor pictures from the Pro-Freedom Rally outside the D.C. Danish Embassy