"If we can prevent illness and death, that's what we do. The same people who have no problem giving up their rights and freedoms to be safe from terrorism (theoretically) should not have any problem with this."

I think that Ake's question and Suzy's response to it brings up a bigger issue relating to whether an end can justify the means. Personally I do have a big problem with giving up our rights and freedoms to supposedly prevent terrorism.

It always leads to the creation of bigger problems.....the totalitarian state that disempowers their citizens 'for their own good'. And that disempowerment leads to further inequality.   I don't believe in the 'benevolent dictator'.

So I agree with Suzy that Ake's question is a good one and worthy of disussion.   But my answer is very different from his.