[billybob]

Yes. The government argues that terrorism is a unique threat that requires extreme measures, such as removing rights from citizens. But the counter-argument is that it IS a unique threat: one that can never be conclusively dealt with. There will never be a time when we can say "we have won; we are safe from terrorists." Therefore, any rights we surrender in this "war" will be gone forever.

In other words, the ubiquitous, eternal possibility of terrorism is the strongest argument for why we should NOT allow "extreme measures" that involve citizens losing their rights, because that loss will be permanent.