Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

October 6, 2011

The ancient tyrant Dionysius II once received a visit from a man named Damocles, who expressed envy over the power and wealth enjoyed by the ruler. Dionysius offered the visitor an opportunity to dine at his table, ordering his royal servants to attend to his every whim.

As the delighted Damocles settled in for the meal, Dionysius ordered that a large sword, its blade whetted to the sharpest possible edge, be suspended above his guest?s neck by a thread composed of a single horsehair. Only a few minutes passed before a shaken and sweaty Damocles asked to be excused, saying that he no longer wished to be so fortunate.

Today, every U.S. citizen shares Damocles? predicament. According to the Reuters news service, Americans suspected of terrorism ?are placed on a kill or capture list by a secretive panel of senior government officials, which then informs the president of its decisions?. There is no public record of the operations or decisions of the panel?. Neither is there any law establishing its existence or setting out the rules by which it is supposed to operate.?

Whatever advantages we enjoy as Americans, each of us lives beneath the shadow of the drone of Damocles.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.