And I'm still so afraid

(image borrowed from the heretik)

It takes a real conservative to point out a phony one. Andrew Sullivan points out Giuliani's hysteria and fear-mongering:

Mark Steyn praises Rudy Giuliani for endorsing New Hampshire's state motto, "Live Free Or Die." I love the motto too. But isn't it exactly the opposite of what today's GOP stands for? The entire premise of Giuliani's positions is that, after 9/11, we should not live free in case we die. Last night, he spoke of two risible plots by total losers with no capability of doing serious damage as grave threats to America's survival. The Fort Dix goons and the JFK plotters are among the most pathetic, puny enemies this country has ever known. But Giuliani speaks of them as if they were the approach of global catastrophe - and he demands that Americans surrender their most precious liberties in order to remain safe from them. Live free or die? Giuliani's motto is: Live Under My Protection Or Die.

Indeed. And he smacks down the odious Steyn in the process. Andy continues:

The logic of today's GOP in the war on terror, moreover, is the inverse of New Hampshire's. In every choice of liberty versus security, the GOP now prefers security, without even publicly acknowledging the costs. And yet Mark Steyn sees no irony here. Do they really not see that their rhetoric on liberty is utterly hollow?

Here's what someone said about freedom a while ago:

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.

. . . Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

I'm pretty sure that Steyn, given the same choice, would opt for a medium-rare steak and a Coors lite. After all, freedom is hard work.