Posted on May 7, 2014
What are we fighting for: freedom or safety (or something else)?
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As a preface, I understand this question could go in very many different directions! Part of the question is: Do we as a Nation fight for our freedom, or safety, or is there another reason? Another part of the question is: What are we personally here fighting for (within the Armed Services, not necessarily on the battlefield)? Are our collective and individual reasons aligned? Should they be, or does it not matter?
Since those questions leave the field of discussion wide enough, a parameter is I'd like to keep this contemporary and non-historical -- I know why the military exists.
Websters defines (abridged for brevity; see dictionary.reference.com for full definition):
Freedom--1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial. 2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc. 3. the power to determine action without restraint. 4. political or national independence. 5. personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom...
Safety--1. the state of being safe; freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss. 2. the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger, or loss. 3. a contrivance or device to prevent injury or avert danger. 4. Also called lock, safety catch, safety lock. a locking or cutoff device that prevents a gun from being fired accidentally. 5. the action of keeping safe...
Since those questions leave the field of discussion wide enough, a parameter is I'd like to keep this contemporary and non-historical -- I know why the military exists.
Websters defines (abridged for brevity; see dictionary.reference.com for full definition):
Freedom--1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial. 2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc. 3. the power to determine action without restraint. 4. political or national independence. 5. personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom...
Safety--1. the state of being safe; freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss. 2. the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger, or loss. 3. a contrivance or device to prevent injury or avert danger. 4. Also called lock, safety catch, safety lock. a locking or cutoff device that prevents a gun from being fired accidentally. 5. the action of keeping safe...
Freedom
Safety
Warfare
Defense
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Sir,
Without splitting hairs, I have to believe that we are fighting for both freedom and safety. The American public happily applauds that we are fighting for freedom; Freedom from the oppression of Islamic extremism and terrorism. In reality, I don't think the public cares what we are fighting for, so long as they FEEL safe. In that sense we are fighting for safety, and to build stand-off between our civilian counterparts and the horrors of war.
Without splitting hairs, I have to believe that we are fighting for both freedom and safety. The American public happily applauds that we are fighting for freedom; Freedom from the oppression of Islamic extremism and terrorism. In reality, I don't think the public cares what we are fighting for, so long as they FEEL safe. In that sense we are fighting for safety, and to build stand-off between our civilian counterparts and the horrors of war.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Thanks for your response, LT Lane! I think you're on to a couple good points. So, 2 follow-up questions, if I may: 1) You mention religion ("Islamic extremism")--are the three branches of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) and the military all aligned to fight (in their respective manner) for religious freedom? 2. You reference a "perception" of safety by the public--is the military fighting for the "perception" of safety? Given the smallness of the world today with our transportation and technology, to what extent do we go to "feel safe" or to "be safe"?
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir,
I wouldn't argue that each branch of government is aligned to "fight" for religious freedom, just to support and defend the Constitution. Leaders in each branch of government take an oath quite similar to ours. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to Americans. Leaders in government swear to support and defend that freedom. I only mentioned "Islamic extremism" because that is what we are actively engaged against overseas and at home.
To answer your second question; we are not fighting so that the public can "feel safe," but the public very likely feels safer because we are fighting. I find that we go to extraordinary lengths for safety or security. Just look at everything from PT Belts to the Patriot Act...
I wouldn't argue that each branch of government is aligned to "fight" for religious freedom, just to support and defend the Constitution. Leaders in each branch of government take an oath quite similar to ours. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to Americans. Leaders in government swear to support and defend that freedom. I only mentioned "Islamic extremism" because that is what we are actively engaged against overseas and at home.
To answer your second question; we are not fighting so that the public can "feel safe," but the public very likely feels safer because we are fighting. I find that we go to extraordinary lengths for safety or security. Just look at everything from PT Belts to the Patriot Act...
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We are the enforcement arm of our foreign policy. We are the big stick our government uses to bend other nations to it's will.
Freedom and safety? nah. Canada and Mexico aren't exactly gearing up for an invasion.
Freedom and safety? nah. Canada and Mexico aren't exactly gearing up for an invasion.
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To enforce our foreign policy (and whatever secret squirrel operation is happening in the background we don't know about).
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MAJ (Join to see)
No disagreement there, but there's more. Why do we have a foreign policy? What is the intent of that policy? Any given conflict is looking at the "micro" level. What's the purpose at the "macro" level?
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SFC Michael Hasbun
If you dig deep enough? Lining someone's pockets.. it's not like we are ten seconds from Canadian invasion..
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