You Can't Separate Peace From Freedom

Op-Ed

"You can't separate peace from freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."

Malcolm X

You Can't Separate Peace From Freedom

by Dan "Frodo" Litwin

For the first time in many Americans' lives, it is abundantly clear that we are not at peace. We are not insulated from the problems of the world. We are at war.

On top of that, under the banner of "Enduring Freedom" we are now forced to give up some of our freedoms - supposedly to regain our peace. We are told that peace and freedom don't come in the same package.

But what if, as Malcolm X said, "You can't separate
peace from freedom"? Just exactly how are
we gaining any sense of peace - inner
or otherwise - by giving up our freedoms?

I believe exactly the opposite of what the political machine tells us. I believe Peace depends on our personal freedoms - the very freedoms we are now told we cannot have.
Let me explain:

9/11

What if the airlines, on September 11th, 2001, had simply been allowed the freedom to have armed guards on their planes?

This may come as a surprise to you, but our politicians would not allow, and still will not allow airlines to offer you choices for armed security in-flight. Airline security is and has long been dictated by the FAA (a federal government agency). And the bottom line is:

The Federal Government won't let the airlines offer you any choice of real security plans.

What's going on here? Even liquor stores have armed security. Surely, multi-million dollar planes would be protected by guards - if only it was legal.

So again: what if the airlines, on September 11th, 2001, had simply been allowed the freedom to have armed guards on their planes? Would box cutters have been any real threat?

Americans have lost the freedom of self-defense...

...and with it, our once-peaceful lives.

"You can't separate peace from freedom."

Lose freedom. Lose peace.

Fortunately, it works both ways: If we had allowed airlines to have armed security, September 11th probably never would have occurred (imagine box cutters against armed security...).

Allow the freedom of self-defense.

Increase our chances to live in peace.

Peace depends on freedom.

"You can't separate peace from freedom."

Gain freedom. Gain peace.

Another story:

In the 1920's, Americans lost the freedom to drink hard liquor. This resulted in a huge bonus to gangs who made and sold bootleg alcohol and turned the streets of Chicago into war zones to protect their turf.

Americans lost the freedom to drink.

Americans lost the peace.

"You can't separate peace from freedom."

Today's version of the war on alcohol is a war on drugs. Today's gangs are international terrorists, cartels, and rogue governments who make billions selling drugs on the black market. That's how they finance some of their terrorist attacks.

Politicians go beyond crime, outlawing certain less popular freedoms ("sins").

And so, America endures black-market-financed
gang warfare, terrorism, and much more.

Nothing changes reality:

Outlawing peaceful freedoms disturbs the peace.

But there is great news, because again, it works both ways: If we end the war on drugs, we will seriously undercut the financing of international terrorists and gangs. In 1933, we re-legalized alcohol and crippled American gangsters. In this new century, we must end the war on drugs and cripple all manner of terrorists.

Free the people.

Live in greater peace.

Moderation for Peace & Freedom

The purpose of a reasonable, moderate government is simply to keep you free, so you can enjoy the peace. That's why Libertarians promote traditional laws. For instance, Libertarians will prosecute real criminals, such as murderers, robbers, rapists, trespassers and con-men. That's keeping you free to enjoy the peace.

But today's lawmakers are neither reasonable nor moderate:

Today's anti-freedom gun controllers disarm planes.

Today's anti-freedom drug warriors finance terror.

Anti-freedom.

Anti-peace.

Libertarians are in the middle. We don't promote drug use, but we also don't support the opposite extreme of prohibition, which finances terrorists. And while we don't want to force everyone to own guns, we also don't support the opposite extreme of laws against self-defense.

Moderation in a world of extremism.

Libertarian.

Restore peaceful freedoms. Restore peace.

"You can't separate peace from freedom."

Thankfully, we don't have to.

Let's build a responsible future, not of anarchy, but of small government and greater freedom, and let's watch as peace inevitably returns to America. Let's dust off and polish up the beacon of liberty to a luster never-before known. Because only then - by our example, and not by force - will the American ideals of peace and freedom have a chance to sweep the globe.

Peace & Freedom.

We can win them, but only if we
Come Together against the machine.

Thanks,

Dan "Frodo" Litwin

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