The idiotic myth that everyone believes about fighting terrorism

When you take away civil liberties, you don't automatically get more protection in return

CIA
(Image credit: (Alex Wong/Getty Images))

One of the most pernicious tropes in public life is the idea of the even trade-off between security and freedom. Tony Abbott, Australia's atrocious new prime minister, invoked it in a recent speech justifying broad new "anti-terrorism" powers because of the threat from ISIS:

Regrettably, for some time to come, the delicate balance between freedom and security may have to shift. There may be more restrictions on some so that there can be more protections for others. [The Intercept]

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Ryan Cooper

Ryan Cooper is a national correspondent at TheWeek.com. His work has appeared in the Washington Monthly, The New Republic, and the Washington Post.