This is a series based on a speech given at Harvard across April 27 and 28, 1955, by John Lord OâBrian, whose government service on behalf of the people is impressive, and one need only search his name to get a sense about the issues he felt most deeply. But no issue could have moved him more than the one to which he spoke at Harvard as part of the institutionâs venerated Godkin Lectures on the Essentials of Free Government and the Duties Of the Citizen. Although it would have saddened him to find that his worst fears had been realized, OâBrian warned of the governmentâs use of terror or the threat of terror to induce its citizenry to relinquish its liberties for the specious promise of security. And here we are.
For other Alembic Files or audios done by contributors to this series, go to http://mediamodepresents.blogspot.com.