Let's not get too ahistorical here, a lot of what we have today was implemented (if not established) in the freaked-out aftermath of 9-11. Yes, I know, Clinton rendered/tortured, etc. but it wasn't institutionalized through the PATRIOT act and associated mechanisms yet. There were certain people who used, intentionally, the hair-on-fire emotions of the times to expand government powers to the insane degree we are dealing with now.
Common turns of phrase wouldn't be so troublesome if they were simply avoided in favor of direct language and makings of actual points. "We have to fight these things when they come up, but we tend not to," or whatever, instead of defensive profundity. Language is a lossy codec for thought, metaphor doubly so.
Let's not get too ahistorical here, a lot of what we have today was implemented (if not established) in the freaked-out aftermath of 9-11. Yes, I know, Clinton rendered/tortured, etc. but it wasn't institutionalized through the PATRIOT act and associated mechanisms yet. There were certain people who used, intentionally, the hair-on-fire emotions of the times to expand government powers to the insane degree we are dealing with now.