Musings on the "Patriot" Act

My friend Brandt collected these quotes after a discussion about the Patriot Act one night. Even though some think it is slightly off that Bob and Brandt don wool coats in July and fire muskets at each other as part of the 1st Virginia Regiment, I know that at the core they are just really history buffs who take to heart the words that follow and that the founding of our country and the ideals on which it stands are not hollow high school history lessons soon forgotten.

These words were spoken in the fight for freedom and they seem so relevent today. As Brandt so aptly put it: Does George Bush really think he has any kind of moral or intellectual justification to assume dominion over the precedents these men set for
our country?



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


America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the
well-wisher to freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and
vindicator only of her own.
John Quincy Adams

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who
approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but
downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.
Patrick Henry