"Patriotic?" OR "If You Want Security..."

Here's a quote that I've been thinking about since 9/11 and more so now that Bush is circumventing the law and the Foreign Intelligence Security Act (FISA) courts. "If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking... is freedom." Dwight D. Eisenhower (brainyquote.com) Continued... A few things bear relevance beyond the mere triviality. Eisenhower was in command of the Army and Allied ("Coalition") Forces in the European theater of World War II. He held together a egotistical cadre of personalities to defeat Nazi Germany. He became the president of the United States as a Republican. His Vice-President was Nixon. Commentators and politicians today tend to describe Bush and his Administration as one that wants to regain the confidence needed in order to bolster the strength and power int eh Executive Branch that Nixon destroyed. The ancients often discussed the various forms of government. Among these discussions it is important to note that even in Athens many decried democracy as "mob rule." While the U.S. government is more accurately described as republican (representative versus direct democracy); it is clearly more viable than “mob rule.” One of the inherent problems in democratic forms of government is in its ability to move quickly. This ability is part of the executive power. It is here that Bush is claiming his right to hold detainees without due process of law. Again, he claims this necessity in ordering secret wiretaps. Many news outlets reported the break on this story several days ago. The order is clearly a violation in the spirit of our American liberty if not also in its law. The order seems very much like a tyrannical power as it was done in secret and not in view of our elected representatives (other than himself and Chaney?). It is with something bordering on disheartening disbelief that I learned of the FISA courts. Perhaps I should be embarrassed in admitting that I did not know of these courts and the Law creating them. Indeed, even now it is difficult to say that I understand them. I do appreciate their necessity both practically in quick execution of warrants and metaphysically in protecting our rights from an individual (or small group) tyrant (or oligarchs). Why then, does Bush and his administration feel compelled remove himself from the necessity of Law? I try to divorce my thought from ideology. I certainly lean towards the “liberal”political ideals, but not beholden to them. Emerson's hobgoblin of foolish minds always perplexed me. It contributes to a wariness in all that he said. But perhaps he meant what the topic sentence of this paragraph means? I have given Bush the benefit of the doubt. I don't agree with many of his socio-economic beliefs or the decisions he makes. I hoped they were more differences in opinion and not in ethics or morality. By his secret order I have lost faith in him as a human being. Maybe the far left has something in vilifying him? Lately his actions certainly transgress a pure-hearted defense of the American way. Cliches are dangerous and any other suggestions here would be greatly appreciated but: the road to hell is paved...