The Prime Minister of Hesse, Volker Bouffer, is said to have called the first fundamental right of a citizen that of not being blown into the air. I heard it this morning on “Bayern2”. I presume he deduces from this statement the “fundamental right” to suffer more restrictions of liberty for fear of terrorism.
Well, if you ask me, I would say that we in Germany are better protected against being blown into the air than against the abolishment of liberty. Again, I quote Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790):
» Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. «
(According to wikiquote, Benjamin Franklin actually said this).
If I were to take such “rhetorics” telling me about the fundamental right not to be blown into the air seriously, another fundamental right of all citizens – one that is just as important -comes to mind: not being killed in a traffic accident, no matter if you were the person who caused the accident or not.
Now consider that probably very few Germans have ever been blown into the air – most of them probably not by terrorists, but while doing their job. On the other hand, the number of fatal traffic accidents is still listed in the thousands (not to mention the injured and seriously injured). So why do we dogmatically celebrate terrorism as the ultimate danger for life and limb, while our politicians are not even capable of installing a speed limit?
So, please, refrain from such stupid “rhetorics”! Especially if you claim to be a responsible politician.
RMD
(Translated by EG)
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