Ashcroft: Freedom More Valuable Because of Security

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft told hundreds of college students and local business leaders tonight that freedom in America will become more valuable in an age of terrorism as a result of enhanced security efforts.

Ashcroft made the comments during a 50-minute speech at Hammons Hall on the campus of Missouri State University Wednesday night.

Ashcroft did not allow media to record the event, but did permit people and reporters to take notes. Here are some of the notes I scratched during his speech tonight:

• Ashcroft said 9-11 taught us that prosecution alone was not "an adequate response" to fighting terrorism. To fight terrorism, he said "forget about prosecution, it's got to be about prevention."
• The advent of technology over the years has allowed small groups and entities to threat the entire existence of nations. He said most terrorist have "great intellect." "They are scientists," he said, "that use the devices of a democracy."
• He said the number one thing the Patriot Act did was tear down the wall between law enforcement and intelligence officials. He said the separation of those institutions before 9-11 was costly. He said it now allows information to flow freely between the two, as well as tap into the resources of local police and law enforcement.
• He said the current debate over fighting terrorism centers around the need for information versus the demand of privacy. He said he disagrees with balancing freedom and security because they are not equal values. He said freedom will become more valuable because of enhanced security measures. Contrary to popular belief, he said new laws sometime serve to enhance freedom.
• "We don't want to balance liberty and freedom with something else. We want to enhance it," Ashcroft said.
• "We want to think outside the box, but not outside the Constitution," Ashcroft said to cap off his speech.