Maybe, if your family is so obsessed with their freedom, ask them what they think of the President. Perhaps they have forgotten that good old Bush can tap and record any telephone conversation he feels like, if he can call it a threat to national security. Or maybe they don't know that the government has the power to throw citizens in jail without the right to a trial or a phone call, on the sole basis of suspicion of terrorist activities. They probably think that we as a people are truly free, but they forget that as the days turn to weeks, and months to years Iraq continues to piss other people off. In response to pissed off people our government moves to protect us. And by their protection, we loose freedoms.
Maybe you should clarify with them, that to have freedom is to loose safety, and to be safe is to loose freedoms. That might enlighten them to their own hypocrisy.
Austin
PS - I myself would gladly give up freedoms for my safety, even if it sounds other wise...
I hope that helps...