My wife shared that she would not be found at any large gathering over the 4th of July. I think she extended it to life in general. She is worried about terror attacks my Muslims and liberals. What this tells me is that they are winning.
The whole point of terrorism is that they put fear, terror, in our minds to the point that we change how we live. When we put off going out to eat or shopping it is more than just us trying to be safe. It takes a big stick and drives it through the spokes of the economy. The enemies of America win without having to do anything.
This works many ways. I find that I am reluctant to fly. It has nothing to do with fear of being blown out of the sky. It has to do with convenience and comfort. The comfort I am forced to live with. The airlines keep making the seats narrower and knee knocking. I am getting too old for that environment. The one that is more crippling is the TSA. Knee jerk reactions to shoe bombers and underwear bombers has made it quicker to drive to some locations than to take the airplane. This came through to me recently when I was reading an old action novel. The hero walking into an airport at the last minute, paid cash for a ticket with no ID and immediately boarded the plane. Can you remember those days? I have vague memories of it but my children can’t picture such liberty.
I will not be going to any big event either but my motivation is different. I don’t like big crowds. I think it is part of becoming old and cranky. I went to one concert forty years ago. It was enough. I went to a Tea Party rally. It was enough. I prefer to schedule my life so that if I must dine out or go shopping I go when the masses are somewhere else. I really don’t want to be forced to go to things to show the terrorists that I value liberty over security.
Don’t let Muslim suicide bombers keep you from the mall. Don’t let Communist Antifa thugs keep you from a parade. Don’t let government attempts to keep from traveling just because they want to keep you safe. Liberty is a state of mind that guides our actions.
I hope you enjoyed Independence Day. Continue to apply that independence.
homo unius libri
I'm with you on the crowds - never HAVE liked them. That's part of why I like living in the country.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you have a clear range of fire.
DeleteGrace and peace