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| Jim Geraghty on the "93rd Volunteer Infantry" |
| 2005-07-11 |
| National Review Online. In the middle of a review of the vapid comments of the self-appointed "security experts" appearing on the Sunday interview shows, Mr. Geraghty says: Actually, amongst the tired ‘roll up our sleeves’ clichés, there’s a serious, even radical point in there. The key to homeland security isn’t really in government programs. It’s in deputizing the American people. Like it or not, you are your own homeland security. If you’re on a plane, and some maniac tries to charge the cockpit, stopping him is up to you and the other passengers. If some odd guy seated across the aisle tries to light up his sneakers, stopping him is up to you. If you have a crop duster, you have to make sure it’s locked up when you’re not using it. If you work in a chemical plant, power plant, laboratory, or other facility where a terrorist could do harm, you have to think like the terrorists and be one step ahead of them. If you’re on the subway and somebody leaves a bag, you have to call it to that person’s attention, and if they still leave it behind
call the cops, get away from that bag, and duck and cover. The government’s going to do its part, but they can’t be everywhere. But the citizenry can. Of course, this isn’t a comfortable message for anyone in Washington to offer. It’s an admission of limited control and limited power, and argues against endless budget increases. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #1 Mission accepted. And (dare I say it?)... WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BADGES! |
| Posted by: Hyper 2005-07-11 17:56 |