Hello dbhalling,
I can see what you are getting at. I would suggest that everyone should be granted Liberty in the way that they should be considered innocent until proven guilty, but I would add that if they violate someone else's rights, then they should be held responsible for the repercussions. That is personal responsibility of a sort: is it not?
Respectfully,
O.A.

An interesting theme. however the interpretation of dbh is spot on. elaboration from me probably unnecessary:

First point, liberty induces a duty - agreed no, an individual does not have to be responsible to themselves. or at least gov should not impose that. But, each has the obligation of reciprocity, that they do not intrude into any one else's liberty. This is what gov should enforce.
Your second point- yes, the liberty to put a noose around your neck does not impose an obligation on others to remove it by force, but you may be forceably stopped from that in a crowded theater or at a street intersection.
'People deserve liberty whether they are responsible or not' yes, this is similar to freedom of speech for those we detest.

Hello dh,
I think that the duty to act responsibly derives from our nature. We are the only rational animals (conscious individuals) on this planet, but we are also social animals. This implies that we need to coexist. It is the task of the family to educate us, as we grow to adulthood, and help us acquire the concepts necessary to live responsibly in common with others. Through the obligation to live freely without harming others we acquire the duty to act responsibly. Does this make sense to you?
All the best.

All actions have consequences.
If reality and reason rule the day, good results are the consequences of good decisions and good actions.
Co-dependency in government is keeping people from reaping what they sow.
Until and unless our government gets back to protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty we are in danger of losing ALL of our liberties to the chaos and confusion of self-righteous and litigious nonsense from those who govern.

CG- a rare endorsement of your opinions from me. Well put.

Not being evil is a common sense survival tactic. It's also good for one's own mental health.

Well put! The simplicity beyond the complexity.

but they do it anyway, with pleasure and alacrity!!! -- j

I am sorry to hear that, John.
I really enjoy a good cigar.
But as I am getting older (or just plain old), I am consciously restricting myself to one a day on weekends.
Be well.

White stuff falling from the sky. At least the frozen fog is gone for now.

If you have a duty under liberty then you do not have liberty. If you mean under liberty that you are responsible for your self that is not saying the same thing as REQUIRING responsibility. I am responsible for myself under liberty which means I can act irresponsibly as long as I do not directly hurt someone else. I can drink too much, waste my money on gambling or even choose to terminate my life.