Independence Day?
The famous date in the history of the world...at least one of the more famous ones. :) Fourth of July...the date of independence for the high and mighty United States of America. The bastion of freedom, justice and liberty. The land of the brave and wise... I can go on and on...but the sad reality is that many other countries in the world whose humanitarian records are just as exemplary, if not better, are not spoken in the same breath. The world is truly changing and despite the borderless society we live in today, the same cannot be said of the mentality of the people. Many young global nomads have embraced this borderless culture but despite this growing number of people, another group looms darkly behind the curtains. Terrorists, pseudo-terrorists, wannabe martyrs, and whatever nomenclature they cloak themselves with are increasing in their threats to the world.
The US has since retaliated with even stricter enforcement and tighter (but draconian) security measures that has greatly put everyone else at discomfort. Who can blame them? I know I wouldn't. Some may derive comfort in the enhanced safeguards but yet a larger number remain apprehensive of its effectiveness. Do we really need to be so inquisitorial when screening for passengers? Can we justify stripping a person of his/her personal liberty in the name of national security? Apparently, in this time and age, we can. Reasons for such implementation have been voiced out and laced beautifully with adjectives that go along the lines of the people's interest. Anyone rational (if they choose to be anyway) will understand why such a heavy stance is taken. People get killed, lives of others in danger...the like. On the other side of the coin, activists have been vociferously calling for such systems to be more humane and less harsh. Who are we to judge?
These open-ended questions and justifications for the state of the world as it is today remains unanswered just like it will be till the end of time. There can never be too liberal a policy and likewise there can never too totalirian a regime. The Aristotelian Golden Mean seems to be the wisest move but the determination of this elusive middle line remains a moot point. Should we leave it to the government to decide (since they are hiring the best brains and such) or should we take a majority view of the common people? So many permutations yet so little results.
The US remains a bastion for freedom and liberty but the erosion has begun. It started a long time ago, but the pace is faster now. A lot have said that fire cannot be fought with fire. But is the water enough to put it out?
On a lighter note, the law nite 2007 was a blast. It will be remembered and cherised for a long time. :) Happy Anniversary!
*^^.. heheh. Shopping this weekend?
The US has since retaliated with even stricter enforcement and tighter (but draconian) security measures that has greatly put everyone else at discomfort. Who can blame them? I know I wouldn't. Some may derive comfort in the enhanced safeguards but yet a larger number remain apprehensive of its effectiveness. Do we really need to be so inquisitorial when screening for passengers? Can we justify stripping a person of his/her personal liberty in the name of national security? Apparently, in this time and age, we can. Reasons for such implementation have been voiced out and laced beautifully with adjectives that go along the lines of the people's interest. Anyone rational (if they choose to be anyway) will understand why such a heavy stance is taken. People get killed, lives of others in danger...the like. On the other side of the coin, activists have been vociferously calling for such systems to be more humane and less harsh. Who are we to judge?
These open-ended questions and justifications for the state of the world as it is today remains unanswered just like it will be till the end of time. There can never be too liberal a policy and likewise there can never too totalirian a regime. The Aristotelian Golden Mean seems to be the wisest move but the determination of this elusive middle line remains a moot point. Should we leave it to the government to decide (since they are hiring the best brains and such) or should we take a majority view of the common people? So many permutations yet so little results.
The US remains a bastion for freedom and liberty but the erosion has begun. It started a long time ago, but the pace is faster now. A lot have said that fire cannot be fought with fire. But is the water enough to put it out?
On a lighter note, the law nite 2007 was a blast. It will be remembered and cherised for a long time. :) Happy Anniversary!
*^^.. heheh. Shopping this weekend?
