Patrick Henry And NSA Surveillance

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Patrick Henry and NSA Surveillance Today’s America has a magnitude of issues, spanning from social (gay marriage and abortion) to political (immigration and Obamacare) to economic (tax cuts and higher wages). Problems have been accumulating over the years and we yet do not know the solutions to any of them. But, some of the answers may have been already addressed by our founding fathers, especially to the controversial NSA Surveillance in the United States. As one of the Founding Fathers, Patrick delivered the “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, expressing his view on the topic of autonomy and freedom therefore; he would discourage and fully go against the NSA surveillance in the United States today. Patrick Henry, the author of the “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Speech and the famous American Framer, attorney, and ex-governor of Virginia, was born on May 29, 1736 in Hanover County, VA (Fowler). Henry was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and was chosen to be a delegate to the 1st Continental Congress (Fowler). Henry was known for being a fiery orator and speaker, and he proved himself to be a knowledgeable lawyer and politician (Fowler). Patrick Henry was usually reported as being six feet tall, long-limbed, with “sparkly cobalt eyes and auburn hair” (Fowler). But early in life, Henry was common man. Henry was a clerk who worked for a local business run by his father and, for the most part, educated by his father, who attended a Scottish university. He was musically inclined, playing the fiddle and flute, and during most of his adulthood Henry took active roles in the military skirmishes and disputes between the colonies and the Britain (Fowler). Away from politics, Patrick Henry was an outdoorsman who... ... middle of paper ... ...rogram today. Henry believed that the people should not solely and whole heartedly be dependent on a higher authority because they may exploit the people and their rights. He believed that the American people cannot give their means of “enslavement” to the “enemy” (rights to government for uncertain protection) but must be independent and that is the only way to go, even if the future seems bleak and the situation at hand is daunting. The beliefs and writings of our Founding Fathers’ answer the many issues and crises in our America today. Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech may have been intense and almost extreme; it personifies the struggle for one’s rights to self government and autonomy. Even though our country faces different challenges and obstacles, we should turn back to the ideas & principles given to us from our Founding Fathers.

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