This is an image of the front entrance to the New Zealand Parliament buildings. Those guys setting on the steps in the bottom right hand corner looked as though they were having lunch, or at least a breather before their next onslaught. And me, I’m standing up front and central banging off a few more photos. A security guy wanders around – we look blankly at each other – nope, don’t know you either.
As I looked at the other people lounging around in the Spring sun having lunch, chatting idly, shooting the breeze – on the lawns of Parliament – I was entertained by the contrast of freedom versus security. As tax payers there’s a sense of “Well, we pay for it, we should at least be able to have lunch on the lawns.” As I was walking back to my office I overheard a couple of guys talking – one recently returned from overseas – and the gist of the conversation was this: “They’ve sacrificed a good number of their personal freedoms in pursuit of security from terrorism, but you can’t tell the difference.” I don’t know where the guy was talking about but I have some thoughts as to where it might’ve been.
It seems to me there’s some kind of ratio or law involved here – as the perceived need for security goes up, the everyday familiar freedoms have to diminish in number (while those that manage to remain increase in value). In the extreme, a prisoner has no freedom, but maximum security. Meanwhile the dynamic has also changed so that the warder is also equally trapped – someone has to guard the prisoner. Some societies are in love with their own chains there’s no doubt about it – and of course, the prevailing government make it desirable to love the chains.
Slave screams but he’s glad to be chained to that wall – Nine Inch Nails.
In many countries taking photos of the Parliament (or equivalent) buildings would be an action that would bring uniformed scrutiny. Having lunch on the steps wouldn’t be allowed. Yet here, we are privileged to have security in our freedoms. It’s about achieving the right level of balance – making things accessible for a majority of the people, while managing and minimising any risk. Security is there, I know, for good reasons, however it is discrete and considered. Long may commonsense prevail.
Manifesto
06. Every day you make choices.
16. Every day looking at the order of things gives you power.
37. Every day fight for what’s worth fighting for. Pick your battles.
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One Comment
I know of a country who has an overseas embassy where they hold you under suspicion for having your lunch on in the park that is across the road from the front gates of the embassy! Not actually embassy land!
I have always loved the fact you can have lunch in the grounds of parliament in Wellington, the area is a really nice place to be on a good day.