Its a matter of common sense. Having a cop or soldier - who are fellow citizens and people just like me - not the men in black - politely ask to look in my book bag as I cross a crowded Grand Central Terminal, is not giving up freedoms. They're not reading my notebooks, they're just making sure I don't have bomb. They are doing it on my behalf.

Taking an extra 10 minutes to call the security office at an oil installation you would like to photograph and asking for permission isn't giving up liberty. Its using your head and understanding the nation is in a difficult struggle.

For the most part, I see law enforcement as "the good guys". Do some cross the line from time to time? Yes, and they should be corrected, but that doesn't mean we're giving up our freedoms, certainly not "essential liberty" as indicated in your quote.

Jordan