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Analysis of Patrick Henry's speech "Give me liberty...
Analysis of Patrick Henry's speech
Tension between security and liberty
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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.
Less than one week after the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S.A. Patriot Act was introduced to Congress. One month later, the act passed in the Senate with a vote of 98-1. A frightened nation had cried for protection against further attacks, but certainly got more than they had asked for. Russell Feingold, the only Senator to vote down the act, referred to it as, “legislation on the fly, unlike anything [he] had ever seen.” In their haste to protect our great nation, Congress suspended, “normal procedural processes, such as interagency review and committee hearings,” and, “many provisions were not checked for their constitutionality, lack of judicial oversight, and potential for abuse.” Ninety-eight senators were willing to overlook key civil liberty issues contained within the 342 page act. The lone dissenting vote, Wisconsin Senator Russell Feingold, felt that our battle against terrorism would be lost “without firing a shot” if we were to “sacrifice the liberties of the American people.” Feingold duly defended American civil liberties at the risk of his career, truly exemplifying political courage as defined by John F. Kennedy.
Patrick Henry was known as “the Orator of Liberty” and created his name with his speeches. When colonists were divided in 1775, some were hoping to work it out but not Patrick Henry. He thought the only choice was to go to war with Great Britain. Henry uses ethos, pathos, and logos to show his clause for going to war with Britain.
He uses words like “chains” as symbols of America's ties with Great Britain in order to show the slave-like hold that Britain claims over America, which creates a sense of fear in the hearts of the members of the Congress. By saying “For my own part… a question of freedom or slavery” Patrick Henry frames the only outcome of their decision as either freedom, which would be the product by going to war against the British, or slavery and subjugation, which would be the result of reconciliation and obedience. He implores the Congress to not ignore the gravity of the situation at hand of how “war and subjugation” are Great Britain's true intentions.
The American fight for freedom is a critical part of the American history. Following the foundation of a nation, the individuals who enabled the fight for freedom and were central in the fight called the founding fathers. In the book ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’, the author provides a vivid investigation of the founding fathers. The book offers a unique point of view that looks on to the founding fathers’ live in detail. The book offers knowledge that extends beyond what is availed into the history books into an analysis of character to present their individual values as a system in which they founded guiding principles for the country. The paper offer an analysis of ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’. Gordon Wood brings to light the ethical principles of the founding fathers to bring to light the basis of moral statures propagated and applied in the democratic system today despite the difference in time.
Henry is arguing to get the people on the anti-federalist side. He wants the people to realize how much the new constitution would hurt the government. The argument is persuasive. This is because he did not just state his objection, he also gave proof and reasoning behind all of his objections. Henry is using emotions and history to get the people on his side. He gets them to feel how he feels. When reading you feel a connection to the document. You feel a sense of power, but the emotion of fear also happens. This is because you don’t want the government to fall. Henry does a good job at hooking the reader to make them understand where he is coming
Although Henry refused to serve on the Constitutional Convention, Madison needed Henry's persuasive ways. Henry had a way to make people agree with his ideas. Even though Henry didn't serve on the Constitutional Convention, he was still present to put in his word. As soon as the meetings opened, Henry began to argue against the Constitution. This argument went on for three weeks. Henry was aware that the new government had to be strong, but felt that the Constitution made the central government too powerful. He thought that the power should lay in the hands of the states. "What right had they [the group that wrote the Constitution] to say 'We the people,' instead We, the States?" he demanded.
In his speeches, he pointed out critical aspects of the government that were left out of the Constitution. During his speech on June, 7 1788, he discussed that Virginia has a Bill of Rights which included broad suffrage, unlike the United States Constitution. Using this as a basis, he wonders how the states could trust a government that doesn’t even mention suffrage. If they decide on restricted suffrage, then they can pick and choose who votes for them, keeping them in office, which could result in a monarchical government. Henry felt that is was necessary to retain full suffrage rights to all citizens, as to make sure there is a fair election of government officials. He wanted to make sure this analysis of this comparison between the Virginian government and the newly formed U.S federal government was noted, as he was focused on the impeding steps taken against state
Edward Snowden is America’s most recent controversial figure. People can’t decide if he is their hero or traitor. Nevertheless, his leaks on the U.S. government surveillance program, PRISM, demand an explanation. Many American citizens have been enraged by the thought of the government tracing their telecommunication systems. According to factbrowser.com 54% of internet users would rather have more online privacy, even at the risk of security (Facts Tagged with Privacy). They say it is an infringement on their privacy rights of the constitution. However, some of them don’t mind; they believe it will help thwart the acts of terrorists. Both sides make a good point, but the inevitable future is one where the government is adapting as technology is changing. In order for us to continue living in the new digital decade, we must accept the government’s ability to surveil us.
A revolutionary convention was called, and seven delegates were elected to attend the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, including Henry. Along with George Washington and Edmund Pendleton, Henry rode the distance from Scotchtown on horseback. Once in Philadelphia, he met Sam Adams. The two most effective modern politicians to get the revolutionary movement off the ground to become a full-fledged insurgency are Sam Adams in Massachusetts and Patrick Henry in Virginia. They were both convinced that war was inevitable. After the Congress had closed, they returned to their respective colonies to issue a call to arms. For Henry, the homecoming was bitter and cold. In February 1775, Sarah died. The next month, a second revolutionary convention was called by the Virginia assembly. It convened on March 20 at St. John’s Church in Richmond. There were 120 delegates from all over the state, but the stars were George Washington, who is called the sword of the Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, who is referred to as the pen of the Revolution, and Patrick Henry, the tongue. He did not speak for three days. On March 23rd, he delivered one of the greatest speeches of his life and American history. Patrick Henry rose to address the second Virginia convention, and he spoke words that released vitality like a flame. It is said that he had a beautiful voice, clear way of speaking
Edward Snowden’s National Security Agency(NSA) leaked affair brought attention to American Citizens causing many arguments. Some argue they trust their government and wouldn’t change a thing about being monitored while others argue that their privacy being invaded is unconstitutional, and as a society living in surveillance, Americans need to reform the ECPA Act, and tell Congress to pass The USA Freedom Act.
Since September 11, 2001 many people can say that America has changed. Many people question if America has changed for the better or has it just gotten worse. Since the day those four planes crashed around the United States people’s lives have been changed. Many may not realize how their lives have changed, but with new laws passed life is different within America. The United States Patriot Act is one of the laws passed after 9/11: singed into order on October 26, 2001 just 45 days after the attack. The United States Patriot Act was put in place in order to protect Americans, yet has been affecting American’s civil liberties and caused controversy all over the United States.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”-Benjamin Franklin. We live in an age where governments invade the private lives of its citizens in the name of safety. Ironically, anyone who displaying a hint of paranoia when it comes to government surveillance or secrecy is automatically labeled a conspiracy theorist or a kook. It seems that in the U.S., it has become frowned upon to believe that our government would ever infringe on our rights, unintentionally or deliberately. After all, they can’t, it says so in the constitution! But, alas, it turns out “Big Brother” has been very busy the past decade. It seems as though every year new government scandals arise, from cover ups to spying on U.S. citizens. Law enforcement and government agencies are slowly finding “loopholes” through problematic areas of the constitution, with little regard for citizens’ rights. It is our duty as citizens, to not tolerate violations of the law that our nation was founded upon. By examining history and other countries’ policies regarding privacy and freedoms, it becomes clear that if these breaches of our rights are allowed to go on, we will be living in a country of fear and oppression.
With many successes in his life like, winning a seat in the House of Burgesses, practicing before the General Court, being a delegate in the Continental Congress, and being governor Henry was able to revolutionize America and fight for American independence. Like Henry’s friend Thomas Jefferson once said “It is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry” which proves that the American Revolution and the struggle for American independence would not have been possible without our substantial leader, Patrick Henry (Biography of Patrick
In the wake of the many attacks within our country in the past month alone, the idea of freely letting the government seize information in the interest of preventing these attacks and save countless lives becomes significantly more appealing. It means that now, we as citizens are directly involved in the security of our own nation. We then become part of that “greater good”. We can make a big difference in the lives of our fellow Americans just from the very simple act of surrendering something as seemingly small and insignificant as privacy.
Digital privacy concerns, which have been a major issue in our country since 2001, increasingly violate our basic human rights as global citizens. The growing amount of government surveillance has manifested in the enactment of acts such as SOPA and CISPA. Although their intent on stopping digital piracy and attacks were clear, both were immediately met with harsh criticism; they allowed big corporations to violate our privacy rights by sharing our personal information with both other companies and the government. Our President, although publicly expressing his acknowledgement of the issue, failed to discuss an array of other pressing dilemmas regulated by the recently exposed National Security Agency (NSA), especially those involving the mass data stockpiles and the rights of foreigners against immoderate and disproportionate surveillance by the US. Furthermore, the intentions of the NSA still remain unclear; why is the collection and the extended retention of this data useful? Those in power believe that the collection of this information allows them to preempt terrorist attacks; a very difficult claim to prove. Our lack of clear answers demonstrate the need for a larger audience who support government transparency. The NSA’s misconduct has dealt multiple blows to the rights of millions both at home and abroad, and the amount of secrecy involving this agency shrouds it in obscurity, inhibiting public debate about these crucial matters.