In the middle of one night in August, I strolled around the Lincoln Memorial and touched the walls of the Washington Monument. But a few weeks later, large fences and a security guard at the Lincoln Memorial prevented me from enjoying symbols of our nation’s heritage in a similar manner in the light of day.

These security measures do nothing to deter a determined terrorist or to keep the American public safe, yet they deny Americans a freedom so basic and simple as enjoying public space dedicated to the consecration of our national heroes.

To this day, we have lived with a lack of security. Prior to Sept. 11, we as a nation did not acknowledge this. Now we feel a lack of security acutely, and, in an attempt to make ourselves more comfortable, we demand the creation of at least the illusion of security. As a side effect, we increasingly deny American citizens their civil rights.

I agree we must take measures that will indiscriminately provide heightened security, such as increasing wages paid to airline security agents and making thorough checks of all carry-on luggage. Because we have allowed the terrorists to frighten us into denying citizens basic and simple freedoms, however, they have already won some ground. They have made it acceptable for our government to limit our freedom to visit monuments to the creators and protectors of our freedom.

Liisa Bergmann
environmental policy junior