I was right outside the NSA [on 9/11], so I remember the…
![“I was right outside the NSA [on 9/11], so I remember the tension on that day. I remember hearing on the radio, 'the plane's hitting,' and I remember thinking my grandfather, who worked for the FBI at the time, was in the Pentagon when the plane hit it...I take the threat of terrorism seriously…” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/e2e/edward-snowden-555_corrupt_i-was-right-outside-the-nsa-on-9-11-so-i_720447.jpg)
““I was right outside the NSA [on 9/11], so I remember the tension on that day. I remember hearing on the radio, 'the plane's hitting,' and I remember thinking my grandfather, who worked for the FBI at the time, was in the Pentagon when the plane hit it...I take the threat of terrorism seriously, and I think we all do. And I think it's really disingenuous for the government to invoke and sort-of scandalize our memories to sort-of exploit the national trauma that we all suffered together and worked so hard to come through -- and to justify programs that have never been shown to keep us safe, but cost us liberties and freedoms that we don't need to give up, and that our Constitution says we should not give up.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker warns that governments exploit collective trauma to justify intrusive security measures that erode freedoms.
In simple terms: Governments use fear to push unsafe policies.
Key Takeaway
Question vigilance and protect civil liberties.
Themes
privacy
government
freedom
security
rights
Mood
cautious
critical
concerned
Type
political
activist
reflective
When to use this quote
- public debate
- legislative hearings
- activist campaigns
Key Concepts
surveillance
civil liberties
national trauma
policy justification
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance safety and liberty?
- What safeguards prevent abuse of emergency powers?
A Different Perspective
Security measures may be ineffective and harmful.