Authority Quote by Jeremy Scahill
![“I think we [Americans] are going to look back and realize that the civil liberties that we've given up in the name of security, the authority that we've given Democratic and Republican presidents, all have contributed to a fraying of the fabric of our democratic republic.” quote by Jeremy Scahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b7/jeremy-scahill-24616_authority_i-think-we-americans-are-going-to-look-b_2128198.jpg)
“I think we [Americans] are going to look back and realize that the civil liberties that we've given up in the name of security, the authority that we've given Democratic and Republican presidents, all have contributed to a fraying of the fabric of our democratic republic.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Shadow Factory, 2015
Security measures can erode civil freedoms and weaken democracy.
In simple terms: Security can hurt freedom.
Key Takeaway
Guard liberties while ensuring safety.
Themes
civil liberties
security
democracy
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislation
- surveillance
- public policy
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
political theory
civil rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect rights without compromising security?
- What safeguards are needed for democratic health?
A Different Perspective
Balancing safety and freedom is complex and contentious.
![“operations] that previously only Tier One Special Mission Units would be doing.” quote by Jeremy Scahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/685/jeremy-scahill-24616_operations_operations-that-previously-only-tier-one_247455.jpg)
![“I believe that we [Americans] are making more new enemies than we are killing terrorists at this point, and I think it's time that we stepped back from this aggressive assertion that we can just go to any country and conduct lethal operations.” quote by Jeremy Scahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cce/jeremy-scahill-24616_aggressive_i-believe-that-we-americans-are-making-m_1270835.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)