"Security versus Civil Liberties" Question #3

According to Posner, why do the lessons of history confirm his position that we need heightened security at the expense of liberties in times when our nation is at grave risk? Explain why you agree or disagree with Posner's point of view.

Posner believes that it is a mistake balancing liberty and security, and that according to previous national threats we should learn from them and improve our nation's security and abridge our civil liberties when times of crisis occur due to criminal activities. "It is because officials have repeatedly and disastrously underestimated these dangers that our history is violent as it is," Posner stated. Posner uses the examples of history such as, what led to the Civil War, Japanese attack on the US that led to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, installation of Soviet missiles in Cuba, political assassinations, and the events of September 11 to emphasize that we underestimated the majority of these dangers and life-altering events. Posner reiterates throughout the essay that the basic mistake is prioritizing liberties instead of national security, and a way we could increase national security is at our liberties' expense. Posner feels that the safer a nation is the more leeway on liberties judges will give to citizens and the greater the threat there is to the nation's security the greater the cost for some liberties.

I do not agree with what Posner proposes for a slight increase on the nation's security. In other words Posner is trying to say that freedom and some of our liberties is a privilege not a right, when it is the other way around and set in stone. I believe that the government to some extent does have a lot of hindsight on particular tragedies and events, however citizens should not be the ones to suffer and have their rights limited when they are not doing their jobs correctly. Posner does bring some good points on how the government should be a little more aware and execute appropriate actions when things have gone awry. Citizens shouldn't have to give up their liberties, because of some concern of national security. Usually the perpetrators do not go very far and are caught quite easily, why not continue with this same system.

Evolving Opportunites: Part Two

After WWII, Immokalee began to flourish with its cultural and economic change. An agricultural expansion caused a demand for workers. Soon after, many people from other states and countries began to locate here for job and farming opportunities as the market expansion emerged. During WWII oil was in high demand as well, petroleum was then founded south of Immokalee and production followed in the late 1960's, that is still up and running today. The Seminoles did not fall too behind, they as well opened up a gambling casino. Many people saw it as a positive addition. I believe it is comparable to farming in an entrepreneurship way, because it is also helping Immokalees growth today. With Immokalee's vast employment opportunities, promotion from agricultural-based to industrial-based commodities, and ongoing additions to this community, has entered Immokalee to a new evolved era.

Outposts of Opportunity: Part One

In the video it describes the Seminole Indians that migrated from northern Florida to Immokalee to escape the cold winters and arrive to a swampy location. The Indians much like the "entrepreneur pioneers" that also arrived to Immokalee, shortly after, had the same desire. That desire was to hunt and establish a new home and thriving community. After the civil wars the remaining Seminole Indians began trade with European pioneers and developing amiable relationships with them. This video definitely demonstrates the "old" American dream, when settlers first had to work hard for what they earned, whether respect or property, and everyone had to be the "same" in order to be successful. Immokalee is not much different from where I grew up, Kissimmee, because its early settlers had the same notion when first stumbling upon it. To raise cattle and begin farming industries, I believe, was the main goal. Kissimmee and Immokalee had the same idealistic purposes when they were founded. However, now like most cities throughout Florida, Immokalee is growing rapidly and vast industries in the area are forming to provide its consumers with large quantities of amenities. Immokalee had and still has a lot going for it, so it will be very successful in ten years, welcoming thousands more inhabitants.