When the Bush administration was being criticized over the war in Iraq, its wiretapping policies, and the rendition and torture, its critics were dubbed (particularly by Cheney) as "unpatriotic." He suggested they were "hurting the morale of the troops and being unsupportive," "aiding and encouraging our enemies," "endangering and deterring our intelligence agents" and just plain being "un-American."
Somehow none of the Cheney's words seem to apply now. The former Veep has no hesitation in criticizing President Obama and suggesting that his policies are making us less safe. I cannot bring myself to charge him with something so low and base as wishing the airplane bomber had succeeded, but deep down one senses that Cheney would relish that "I told you so" moment.
Despite my own revulsion to the former Vice President's tactics, it must be conceded that he maintains a substantial following. Even the current administration seems content to not pursue any criminal action against those persons who authored or authorized torture and rendition. Those who have sought civil remedies for their horrendous and clearly illegal mistreatment also have been rebuffed by government intervention claiming "state secrets" and "national security." Habeas corpus relief is denied to many no longer considered terrorists or enemy combatants, but nonetheless continue to be confined, despite repeated Supreme Court rulings affirming their rights to such relief.
Likewise, the public seems to be resigned to the need for greater security and the need to relinquish more of their personal liberty, and that may be understandable. The objections from the public, if any, usually regard inconvenience and time, rather than principle. If there is another attempt or worse a successful one, no doubt there will be increased security with a resulting decrease in privacy. I recognize that groups like the ACLU are frequently criticized for challenging these encroachments no matter how small or the public's willing acceptance of them. But even for those who do not agree, who believe that security is more important than liberty, it is vitally important to our democracy that these watchdogs of our freedom thrive and resist such encroachment no matter how minor. It is our unbounded liberty which makes us great and different from the rest of the world, and we should encourage and support its defenders, not disparage them. It is too easy in times of fear to relinquish rights and liberties. We desperately need those who remind us of who we are and what we believe.
Let's not forget it is that liberty which permits Dick Cheney to criticize the President of the United States openly and without fear of reprisal. "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" (Voltaire or Addison).