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October 17, 2006

Stepping Off The Normal Career Path

Politics  Rights, Law

Charles Swift, American hero:

He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. — Thomas Paine

John Robb has an interesting take on Swift's case:

The only thing that prevents the US or any western society from sliding into authoritarianism is the complexity and intelligence of the government machine. It pushes back when sent orders that it deems wrong. This process operates in cycles much faster than the rectification process enabled by opposition parties. IF this machine ever breaks down, we are truly screwed. ... [As Edward Luttwak wrote in his analysis of coups, the] more efficient and hierarchical...government (in that it can execute orders with little noise) is the easiest to "take over."

Charles Swift, and those like him, are heroes. More and more, our liberty depends on people like him, the Congress having pretty much surrendered its role as check and balance.

Posted by Jonathan at October 17, 2006 05:46 PM  

Comments

Worth repeating. "More and more, our liberty depends on people like him."

Posted by: Jeff at October 22, 2006 04:47 PM