News Release

June 29, 2005

Media Contact: (202) 789-5200

Freedom Is Fragile, Stone and Steel Are Not
Beware of policy measures bearing the "security" label

What better place to celebrate American liberty this Independence Day than the Nation's Capitol? But before you pack a picnic and journey to the National Mall to marvel at the symbols of freedom and democracy, consider the poignant observations of Washington Post columnist Melanie Scarborough in the Cato Institute's latest briefing paper, "The Security Pretext: An Examination of the Growth of Federal Police Agencies." Since 9/11, Scarborough claims, our individual liberties have been compromised by the Bush Administration, which has used the threat of terrorism to justify the undue expansion of four federal police agencies.

"Restrictions on individual freedoms go virtually unchallenged as long as they are characterized as 'security measures,'" Scarborough writes. "Entrances to public buildings are blocked by metal detectors and armed guards. Drivers can be stopped by police on city streets and their cars can be searched by bomb-sniffing dogs. Visiting museums requires waiting in long lines while backpacks and pocketbooks are searched." Congress, Scarborough laments, does not seriously scrutinize these federal agencies because politicians fear being criticized as too soft on terrorism.

If you do decide to brave the crowds (and risk a full-body search) to view the fireworks or monuments on the National Mall, make sure to smile, as you will most certainly be on camera. Scarborough reports that the National Park Service has transformed the Washington Monument into a surveillance tower, "placing cameras in its observation deck that record activity on the National Mall and beyond."

But it isn't only D.C. that's affected. Across the nation -- especially at airports -- long lines, searches, and identification requirements are becoming routine. "Unwarranted intrusion and inconvenience are becoming the American way of life," Scarborough observes.

The collateral damage from these changes will go much deeper than increased surveillance and longer lines. Scarborough warns that instincts that safeguard freedom can atrophy in one generation. To guard against this, Scarborough urges Congress to ensure that security measures reflect prudent precaution rather than irrational fear. "Instead of sacrificing civil liberties for unneeded and ineffective homeland security measures, policymakers should focus on a few key areas that will make significant difference in preventing a future terrorist attack -- such as safeguarding nuclear and chemical facilities."

Briefing Paper no. 94: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=3828

Contact:

Melanie Scarborough, Washington Post columnist, scarboroughsFare@aol.com
Kristen Kestner, media relations manager, 202-789-5212, kkestner@cato.org
Evans Pierre, director of broadcasting, 202-789-5204, epierre@cato.org