I remember a conversation I had several years ago with a man of German descent. While working at the same job site for a considerable time, we had occasion to chat now and then. He had served in the German Tank Corps during WWII.

I don't recall what started us talking about law and order. I do remember that we were talking about the fact that in a society such as ours (the United States), where we have a high degree of personal freedom and this freedom is sometimes abused by those who take advantage of our open and free society.

I also remember one of the things he said, somewhat forcefully: "In Germany we had order! There was very little crime. The streets were safe. But oh, what a price we paid!"

I am not worried that the Third Reich is going to rise up in the U.S. But we cannot continue to give away our civil liberties to those who would consolidate power against the citizenry. We must be aware that while it is very easy to give up our liberties, it will be very hard to get them back from those who would lace up the jack boot in the name of national security.

I don't trust them, and believe they attack our liberties to amass power as much as for any "security concerns."

--Robert Lane