"We have to yet really seriously debate the constitutional issues and whether or not we're willing to give up more freedom in order to have more security."
by:
William S. Cohen
U.S. Secretary of Defense
Source:
3 Feb 1999
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Reader comments about this quote:
Coward! Come out and say it! "What we are doing is unconstitutional and I, for one, will not allow freedom to die at the hand of 'security'!" Of course, when was the last time ANY department of the executive branch seriously debated anything, much less constitutionality?!
 -- Ben, Orem, UT     
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    Eric, Your quotes are too "American" these days. Liberty is a planet-wide issue. Expand. Michel
     -- Michel Poisson, Longueuil, Quebec     
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    A stupid, mis-direction lie for the ignorant.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Ben Franklin said, "He who would surrender freedom for security deserves neither." And he was an extreme liberal!
     -- calvin, Lewisville     
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    Yes, Michel, I am the first to admit that our selection of Liberty Quotes is way too American. However, I have searched far and wide, and frankly, finding quotes about Liberty outside of America has been an arduous task. Please, if you have any Canadian quotes about liberty or English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, ANY country other than the USA, please let me know. ;-)
     -- Editor, Liberty Quotes     
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    Zionist tripewater
     -- Franklin, Valley Forge     
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    One of the ultimate oxymorons. Just plain WRONG on so many levels it boggles the free man's mind.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    Cohen was a good and a thoughtful man and former Senator. I am sure he was saying or showing concern here for the course some security matters were taking in possible violation of the Constitution and was therefore saying, "Hey lets hold on a miniute and think about this." Now for some like Mike there is never anything to discuss, it is just a cut and dry simple answer. At times of security risk you may have to take your best shot and do the deep thinking and or appear in court later. Slowing down and looking at the Constitution is what we should do sometimes.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    To The Editor: Your comment about a lack of liberty quotes around the world is a bit saddening. In 20 seconds I can think of a handful of men if not their words that would be more than fitting for inclusion on this site. Ever heard of Ghandi, that guy in South Africa who spent 20 years or so in prison, Simon Bolivar, the peasant leaders of Mexico, that freedom fighter Ho Chi Min, Michel is corect that freedom is a human issue not an American issue. Oh yeah Gorbachev and Yeltsin.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    We should never ever give up Liberty for security. As it is right now this countr isnt what our founding fathers had envisioned and we are quickly disgracing our countrys herritage. Its time We the People took our country back and put it where it belongs, in our hands. Peace and Liberty for all.
     -- Brethrenunited, Libertyville     
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    Editor: I looked up Ghandi quotes and found this one. Very unusal for a man who promoted non-violent acition. "Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest".
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Editor, your quotes are fine, keep it up.
     -- jim k, Austin, Tx     
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    If the USA is not governed by a Constitution, then how is it to be governed? Arbitrarily? Michel, you know, if America cannot retain its sovereignty and its liberty, then there isn't much hope for the rest of the world either. Waffler, too funny! Yes, Editor we need more freedom quotes from Ho Chi Min! Too much... And that Gandhi quote Waffler recommends is already on this site and has been sent out several times over the last few years -- I know, I have left comments on it. But I agree, there must be more non-American quotes in support of freedom. Keep up the good work!!
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Perhaps we should encourage the rest of the world to actually say things about liberty instead of "security", "social justice", and all of those various "safety nets" progressive-socialists are so fond of. Of course we all know they don't have much to say about liberty. They would actually have to care about liberty and freedom to speak about it. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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