“Terrorism is escalating to the point that Americans soon may have to choose between civil liberties and more intrusive means of protection.”

didn't Franklin say "those you would trade essential freedom for security deserve neither and will lose both"?

We should never have to choose anything over our liberties! That is outrageous. And, yes, Benjamin Franklin did say "...those who would choose a little security over liberty deserve neither and will lose both..."

I choose liberty. And terrorism isn't escalating to that point... paranoia is.

Trash talk from a profiteer.

" A more intrusive means of protection", then who protects us from the protectors ?

jim, exactly ! Does giving up 'Civil Liberties' with its despotic and tyrannous terrorisms (government being the giver and taker-away of liberties by means of terrorism); in favor of inalienable rights and the freedom and liberties ostensibly inherent in the laws of nature and of nature's God, such being a more intrusive means of protection? It is the only choice that makes good sense.

Switch the word Terrorism for Government and you also have a truer statement.

"Give me liberty or give me death!"