Barlow about 9/11 on 9/11

Via today's BoingBoing comes a statement by John Perry Barlow made on the afternoon of September 11, 2001, which says, in part

This morning's events are roughly equivalent to the Reichstag fire that provided the social opportunity for the Nazi take-over of Germany. I am *not* suggesting that, like the Nazis, the authoritarian forces in America actually had a direct role in perpetrating this mind-blistering tragedy. (Though their indirect role deserves a much longer discussion.) Nevertheless, nothing could serve those who believe that American "safety" is more important than American liberty better than something like this. Control freaks will dine on this day for the rest of our lives. Within a few hours, we will see beginning the most vigorous efforts to end what remains of freedom in America. Those of who are willing to sacrifice a little - largely illusory - safety in order to maintain our faith in the original ideals of America will have to fight for those ideals just as vigorously.

And rather than pointing at the U.S., we should remind ourselves first that our Prime Minister in waiting has spoken and written extensively on his approval of what followed and that both his party and the Conservatives have participated in 9/11 inspired horrors such as the Arar affair.

Those who would trade freedom for security get neither.