We're Safe, We're Not Safe, We're Safe...

Today was supposed to be the start of a year end review of the actions, inactions, and insanity the American political class foisted upon the country in 2009. However, I need to go two other places over the next two days before starting the review. Today let's talk about the terrorist plot to bomb an airliner out of Amsterdam as it was coming for a landing at the Detroit airport. As most now know, the bomb was a dud and through the actions of some quick thinking passengers, the bomber and the fire his aborted explosive device caused was quickly brought under control. The plane landed without serious casualties in what could have been a disaster.

In a December 28, 2009 AP story that ran on the Earthlink news page, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano had some very interesting comments about the incident. According to the article, the Secretary claimed that 1) flying is "very, very safe" and 2) the attack "was stopped before any damage could be done. I think the important thing to recognize here is that once this incident occurred, everything happened that should have." I had a few initial reactions to her comments:

• Do the people on that Detroit flight think flying is very, very safe? They just went through a near death experience and would probably would be in disagreement with the Secretary. A better answer may have been honesty, "oops we screwed up and are thankful no one was hurt, we will review our practices and do better next time."
• At the time of her quotes, I did not think there would be a review since "everything happened that should have", i.e. we got it right. Never mind that private citizens made sure nothing tragic happened, not the government who has spent untold billions on security.
• At no time in the article did the article discuss why the Secretary's staff had not identified and tracked the would-be bomber even though his father back in Nigeria had warned the U.S. Embassy of the potential for violence from his son in October, his U.S. passport was not immediately revoked, he was not subjected to additional screening when he showed up at the airport even though he was using his real name, a follow up analysis based on his father's warning was not done which may have showed how the British had been tracking his movements in their country, and no analysis done to see if his father's concern relative to his son's relationship to terrorists in Yemen was valid. No, the Secretary was busy congratulating herself that "everything happened that should have." Guess that means that part of Homeland Security's process is for civilians to protect themselves.

Now let's jump ahead 24 hours to another AP article that appeared today. Ms. Napolitano had a different attitude today, quoted this morning on Good Morning America: "Why wasn't he flagged at a higher screening level? How did he get an explosive substance on to the plane? All of these are serious questions that we are now looking at." Seems like it took the Secretary longer to figure out the root problems than it took us since we listed basically the same questions in the previous paragraph. Pretty sad that common Americans can figure out the right questions to ask before the national expert on homeland security can.

The President also weighed in today, ordering a review of the country's watch list system and air safety regulations. Sounds a little more serious than the Secretary's initial reaction. Also, we found out today that Yemen terrorists were involved. Yesterday, Ms. Napolitano was quoted as saying there was no indication that the bomber was part of a larger terrorist plot. Oops, wrong on that count also. And of course, Congress will hold hearings about the incident, after it happened. Why does it seem that Congress always gets actively involved after the fact?

Bottom line is that we were very lucky and very fortunate to have those on board the plane act as they did. Otherwise, we could have had many, many injuries and deaths to cope with. As far as M. Napolitano, there were far too many "oops" moments to be comfortable that she has a handle on her job. As Congressional scapegoating commences, I would not be surprised if she was the sacrificial lamb of the Administration.

However, I find something even scarier than Napolitano's subpar performance in this affair. The President was quoted today as saying: "We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us, whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland." If this does not sound like Bush/Cheny rhetoric circa 2001 than nothing does. Would it be too much trouble to consider bringing home our armed forces from around the world to see if this might solve the problem? Remember, this whole Bin Laden affair started because he was ticked off that American troops were stationed in his homeland. Step 30 in "Love My Country, Loathe My Government" outlines the reasons why this might be a better plan of action on a long term basis.

Looking at the whole terrorism situation in a completely different way, bringing our troops home and minding our own business, should at least be on the table. Otherwise, we will have other individuals whose fathers warn us he is capable of terrorism, who get and retain valid U.S. passports, who walk onto planes with explosive devices and chemicals while using their real names, and who at some point are going to get their wish of martyrdom by having a device that actually works. Depending on concerned and brave citizens to prevent the attacks, as Ms. Napolitano felt was good enough yesterday ("everything happened that should have") is no way to run homeland security.

Visit our website at www.loathemygovernment.com to order an autographed copy of the book, "Love My Country, Loathe My Government -Fifty First Steps To Restoring Our Freedom and Destroying The American Political Class" and to sign up for the cause. The book is also available online at Amazon and Barnes And Noble.

YQF3W74UXXEA
VPBHWM375EAD