September 22, 2001

CONTACT: Kent McNaughton
Public Information Director,
The Libertarian Party of Colorado

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Libertarians Urge Preservation of Freedom

"While we find much that is resolute and unifying in President Bush's speech on Saturday --and we stand with him in the fight against our enemies-- we are not comforted by the few words the President devoted to preserving liberty" said John Berntson, chair of the Libertarian Party of Colorado.

"Especially in threatening times like these, we should remember the words of Benjamin Franklin: 'They that can give up essential freedom to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'

"It is the American concept of individual liberty that sets this country apart from every other country in the world. It is our liberty we must protect above all.

"Our most cherished monuments reflect this. The Statue of Liberty guards New York harbor, not the Statue of Safety. In Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell hangs, not the Security Bell.

"We sometimes forget that our Constitution affirms even rights not specifically acknowledged by it, as it restricts government's power and reach.

"The Ninth Amendment of the Bill of Rights reads: 'The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.' These include the right to freely travel without restriction and the right to privacy as we do it.

"As a liberty alternative to such bizarre bureaucratic mandates as the one concerning steak knives on aircraft, or whether aircrews or passengers be permitted to carry firearms, we'd advocate that the airlines set their own policies.

"Let the marketplace sort out the winners and losers on the safety issue.

"Personally, I'd feel safer on an airplane where everyone had their own steak knife, than on a plane where only those who snuck a knife aboard had the advantage of arms."