"Extremism in the Defense of Liberty..."

Dorothy,

Thank you, for your earlier letter, though I cannot fathom the reason you felt it was necessary.

You wrote from your heart on a matter of grave consequent: the belief that this country is involved in a momentous struggle for its very identity marks you as a true patriot.

Your comments called to mind that great orator and statesman Barry Goldwater, who said in his acceptance speech at the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco: "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice... And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

Now, I was too young then to have witnessed the speech, and I am ashamed to say that I had not read it until this evening, but I would encourage you to read it. It can be found here. (Cut and paste it into your browser if you are unable to click on the link)

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Extremism_in_the_Defense_of_Liberty_Is_No_Vice

This speech furthered my resolve and encouraged me to continue to struggle for liberty in the face of this massive government intrusion into our lives. The speech brought to mind the words of the father of this country who said in a letter to James Madison, "No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was ever more clouded than the present. Wisdom and good example are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm," George Washington to James Madison, 1786.