| | Phil: "I disagree with Scott that this terrorism scenario is not a real problem."
Phil, its not really so much that I do not think it is a problem. We are shy two buldings, billions of dollars, and 3,500 American lives to prove that it is a real concern. What I object to is one instance of domestic terrorism leading to what it has, in its political implications for Americans. Is terrorism a threat? Obviously. But does recognizing that fact give the crisis-mongers leave to take as much of our tax money and infringe as much on our rights as possible? I'd submit, and this info is all over the place, that some of the most dangerous sites in America go unprotected, while corporate entities with the correct connections get filthy rich by overcharging the Federal governemnt for such useful anti-terror items as bullet proof vests for canine police units. I forget the figure, but the Feds spent an enormous sum on this one ridiculous piece of garbage that has no practical effect whatsoever on my safety, your safety, and does nothing to secure our nuclear power plant,s or that 3 miles trip in New Jersey that would poison the entire East Coast if attacked properly.
As to the issue of what MIGHT have been attempted, and thwarted, by our anti-terror efforts...I have very little faith that any terror activity could be attempted and thwarted without massive media attention--either intentional or unintentional. Breaking a 'secret' terrorism story would be bigger than the Michael Jackson trial, so the profit motive woudl ensure that we heard about (over, and over, and over, and over). The current administration would LOVE to thwart a massive terrorist undertaking, thereby justifying taking more rights, and squandering more tax dollars. It drools over the prospect of that PR opportunity. The guy with the explosive gym shoes and the single-prop lost civilian airplane over Washington are two examples of how ANYTHING related to terrorism is all over the news. The friggin media knew about the plane over Washington before the President did.
At end, you and I can agree that terrorism is a grave threat. But just because we are doing SOMETHING doesnt mean that the something that we are doing has any reasonable relation to what needs to be done, and what we actually need to be doing to make America and safer and more free. I don't think practically strip searching a 90 year old Irish woman, or doing the same to a 72 year old Jewish woman on a flight to Las Vegas while ignoring a large group os Muslims does anything but harass and frighten America's citizens. Unless that, coincidentally, happens to be your goal, because your business partners are doing a thriving business in bullet proof vests for dogs.
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