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September 17, 2001

Bruce Schneier:"Strong police forces without

Bruce Schneier:

"Strong police forces without Constitutional limitations might appeal to those wanting immediate safety, but the reality is the opposite... It is our very liberties that make our society as safe as it is.
"I consider the terrorist attacks on September 11th to be an attack against America's ideals. If our freedoms erode because of those attacks, then the terrorists have won. The ideals we uphold during a crisis define who we are."
I'm an atheist, but I was raised as a Catholic, and the Christian ideals from liturgy and scripture still resonate through my outlook. In our private grief and public statesmanship, we need strength. We're not well served by leaders who run like rabbits. The testament points out a hard road: "if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well". That would take real strength, and earn our freedom, in this time of need.