Maher Arar's case stands as a sad example of how we have been too willing to sacrifice our core principles to overarching government power in the name of security, when doing so only undermines the principles we stand for and makes us less safe.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the danger of compromising fundamental values for the sake of security.
Patrick Leahy's quote reflects on Maher Arar's case, illustrating the tragic consequences of allowing government power to override core principles in the name of security. It argues that such sacrifices diminish the very values that define a free society and ultimately lead to greater insecurity rather than safety.
In practice
In a speech about civil liberties, one might reference this quote to emphasize the need to uphold core values.
It is common sense that in our immigration courts, where children fleeing devastating violence abroad often find themselves, kids need lawyers to advocate on their behalf. After all, lawyers go to school for years to understand the nuances of our legal system.
The incarnate Word is with us, is still speaking, is present always, yet leaves no sign but everything that is.
The 'peace' the gospel brings is never the absence of conflict, but an ineffable divine reassurance within the heart of conflict; a peace that surpasses understanding.
It is hard to interest those who have everything in those who have nothing.
Things were going very fast now. Too fast to suit him. Fantasy and reality had merged.
Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.
To deal with the true causes of war one must begin by recognizing as of prime relevancy to the solution of the problem the familiar fact that civilization is a partial, incomplete, and, to a great extent, superficial modification of barbarism.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.