Liberty VS Security

"If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking... is freedom." __Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." __C. S. Lewis

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" __Patrick Henry

"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it." __Thomas Jefferson

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." __Ronald Reagan

Throughout history, many have pondered the age old seesaw of individual freedom and human rights verse security, debating which side should hold more weight and why.

I've often noticed that people in the USA tend to lean way more toward individual liberties over public security compare to most countries in the world.
If you agree or disagree with this observation, please join tonight's discussion on why this is the case and if there should be more emphasis on public security even if it means curtailing some individual liberties.

Questions to ponder:

• Do you believe in individual freedoms or collective freedoms or both?
• How individualistic cultures view liberties & security differently than collectivist cultures?
• Should we value more on individual liberty or national security? Why?
• Comparing liberty and security, do you think security is a prerequisite for liberty, or does more security inherently lead to less freedom?
• Should free speech be limited in order to maintain public security?
• What are your thoughts on gun control vs The 2nd Amendment?
• Should the government constantly check on your emails and any online activities to filter out potential terrorism?
• How are the newly implemented biometrics securities in our societies affecting our way of life? How can it be manipulated?

Modern & Historical examples to examine:

• What do you think of China's Social Credit System?
• Was the Japanese internment camp Executive Order justified?
• Was the Patriot Act after 9/11 justified? (TSA, etc.)

Guidelines:

• Hand raises are required.
• There will be a 3 minute timer for every person. However, in this group, I do allow a brief back and fourth interjection from others if it's something that's related to the person who was just speaking. This is a way to prevent the group from feeling too "robotic" in style and get your pressing question asked to the speaker and get the answer right away without waiting all the way back to your turn again.
• Be authentic & civil!
• Please refrain from using Ad Hominem (personal) attacks. Instead, please attack the points from others. Severe Ad Hominem such as racist behavior will result in being removed from the meeting.

Zoom link will be posted 15 minutes before the meeting. (Refresh page 15 min before start time)