Norway's leaders are apparently showing the world that taking away civil liberties and creating more of a security-dominated atmosphere doesn't have to be the response to terrorism:
The murderous rampage in Norway on July 22 2011 that killed 76 innocents, mostly youth, shocked the world. The act was by a lone native Norwegian who harbored extreme right wing ideology. It would be natural for many to call for more intrusive surveillance and tighter security as a response. The rationale is that these steps could potentially prevent similar attack and, and even if it happens, reduce the death toll. The advocates who argue for restrictions also point to other western European countries like UK that have extensive video monitoring and accompanying security. The liberal democracies, they say, have to adjust to such intrusions as necessary precaution.
Interestingly, the initial reaction in Norway was mostly the opposite. Here is a passage that describes the reaction: “
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has stated clearly that the terror will be met with more democracy and more openness. Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has made clear that tomorrow's Norway will be fully recognizable. Not only have these phrases been repeated. They have been implemented. The city centre was quickly reopened. Norwegian politicians and the Royal Family have spent the last days meeting with large crowds of people, with limited security, always at a discreet distance.” (Reference 2)There are many arguments in support of less restriction, including:
Restrictions play into terrorists’ goal to disrupt public life, i.e. the terrorist win.
Surveillance programs can create many false accusations that can disrupt lives of law abiding citizens
Stated restrictions could not have prevented acts in Norway which appears to be by a lone wolf who is potentially mentally deranged (similarities can be made
to Virginia Tech shootings and Fort Hood shootings in Texas)
The paragraphs above are from the organizers of an upcoming Commonwealth Club event -- members of the Club's "Inforum" youth group will be debating the appropriate response to terrorism tomorrow at 7pm, at their offices located at 595 Market Street #2. It costs $5 unless you're a Club member, in which case it's free. See Login to Meetup | Meetup for info.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))