[been_lurking]

If you compromise the principles of a free society just for survival's sake, you don't deserve the benefits of the country those principles are founded upon.

And if you do compromise the "principles of a free society just for survival's sake", then the free society itself survives.

Otherwise, the free society dies, and your whole argument is simply academic. Strict adherence to principles, without consideration of circumstance, is folly.

[arderkrag]

So is compromise of principles for survival’s sake. I would rather be shot down and see my society overrun while adhering to principles than abandon them to survive.