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Homeland Security Measures,
Simply a Reality
Remember the good old days, when you could go to the airport and the line for security was only thirty minutes? When you could get on the plane and actually see in the cockpit, rather than the bulletproof doors that we now see? Remember, when you could go to the courthouse, sporting event, or any other public gathering and your little fanny packs or other bags were not checked. Ahhh, a simpler time, the good old days! Remember when you traveled abroad and your biggest concern was whether or not you would get Montezuma's revenge? But alas, as the old song goes…those days are gone.
September 11, 2001 has changed the way that we, as free Americans, will live our lives. It has not only changed our lives, but has altered the course that our children's lives will take in the future. We may not be happy about it, but we do need to finally accept the fact that it is what it is. And what it is...is a pretty dangerous world. Where there is danger, there must be policies in place to protect us from that danger. Homeland Security is a term that we had never heard of before 9-11 but is now something that we hear about every day. Whether it is a threat alert color change, or a new law that is being passed to bolster our homeland security, the topic is much talked about these days. There are those who support these measures and those who detest them and it gets even more complex.
Those who support the measures are the first ones to complain when they are inconvenienced by a long security check line. Those who detest it are the first ones to complain when a threat alert is issued but would be just as vocal should another 9-11 event occur and a threat alert had not been issued. It is difficult to please everyone with these measures. So, as we often must do, we must stop worrying about who likes or dislikes the policies and concentrate entirely on how we can best keep our citizens safe and preserve our way of life. While we ramble back and forth with partisan politics and self-serving proclamations, we are playing right into the hands of those who mean to see this nation fall. The terrorists themselves. The very thing that makes us great, our freedoms, is what the terrorists hate the most. However, you can imagine the jovial conversations around the old cave campfire when a group of them hear about us arguing on whether Iraq, Afghanistan, and others were or are really a threat to the United States.
We may want to blame CNN or FOX news for airing our dirty laundry for the entire world to hear but they are only the messengers, albeit a message with their own personal spin according to which side of the fence that they fall on. But, the fact of the matter is that for the first time in our history, neither side is willing to do what is right for our country. They have chosen to do what is right for their cause. Hence, the dilemma. As we continue this useless debate, the laughter and the determination of the terrorist becomes louder and stronger. It is time to face facts.
Things will never be the way they were. We are going to be inconvenienced by long lines. We are going to be stopped at checkpoints. We are going to be subjected to polices that some will consider infringements of their rights. We are going to be targets abroad in certain areas of the world and if we travel there we must take necessary precautions. And lastly, our nation's leaders must be supported by all sides of this issue. It is imperative that we stand as one and not as one...but with a few added caveats. It is simply a matter of our national security. It ain't a whole lot of fun, but as my mama used to say…"Here, have a cookie and get over it!"
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