"Candidly Yours"

October 8, 2001

On Our Toes, Or On Our Knees?
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano

As shattering as the horrific events of September 11, 2001 were and continue to be, they were not particularly surprising to those of us who watched the slow erosion of our national security and the steadily increasing powers of dubious players in the World Theater. We were often ridiculed, dismissed as alarmists, and accused of possessing a bunker mentality, when, in truth, we studied the careful movements of the world’s players like so many chess pieces on an ever-changing board. Mentally jumping several moves ahead, forecasting potential threats, it was not a question of "if" this monstrosity would happen – but how, where, and when. If there was ever a time when a person prayed to be wrong, would actually delight in being completely and utterly ill informed, it was in circumstances such as these.

But now that it has happened, and America has reclaimed her national ethnocentricity, our collective response to this situation must be equally measured and judged. Those who called for an instantaneous retaliation, those who are steadily losing patience that we haven’t already begun bombing, are emoting from the heart instead of reasoning from the head. Afghanistan is completely land-locked; we have no secure bases from which to launch a prolonged attack. As distasteful as it may be, we must molly-coddle several nations on the environs of Afghanistan to ensure our brave military personnel don’t find a proverbial dagger in their backs as they attempt to fight the enemy before them.

Further, for all our harsh rhetoric, our resources for conventional warfare are limited. The last and most deadly resource – non-tactical nuclear weapons – would certainly level our opposition while prompting a full-scale World War. It’s the equivalent of burning down our house and gardens to rid the lawn of a few weeds.

On the homefront, a disturbing trend is also taking place. As is too often the case, politicians respond to any threats by enacting legislation making potential victims more helpless. Instead of allowing law-abiding teachers and principals to carry properly owned firearms, as is their Constitutional right, they declare schools "gun free zones" in a laughable attempt to prevent guns on the premises. Instead of allowing homeowners the right to defend themselves, their families, and their property from intruders, the courts allow perpetrators to sue a victim if the unwilling victim has the audacity to injure them during the commission of their crimes. And, now, despite the fact that the terrorist hijackers used other countries and bogus documents to launch their entry into the United States, politicians are attempting to limit the freedoms of Americans or to propose such ridiculous notions as carrying a national identification card. What part of faked documentation don’t they understand?

The Airline Pilots are considering not returning to their posts if they are unable to carry weapons in the cockpit. They are personally responsible for the safety of their passengers and are the last line of defense before a butchering thug assumes control of a flying missile. Instead of affording them the opportunity to divert disaster, we are treated to an ever-growing parade of new regulations. While vigilant security measures are more of an inconvenience than an invasion of our "rights," denying pilots the right to carry personal firearms is foolish in the extreme. We should embrace them for what they are; members of the Constitutionally assigned militia, comprised of United States citizens, authorized by Divine and Natural Law to defend themselves from imminent harm.

Instead of shackling us with more laws, politicians should be empowering us to act on our behalf when our lives and livelihoods are threatened. Past history has already shown that a free people can and will defeat their enemy, will sacrifice their lives for the very ideal of freedom, if necessary. We should be alert, on our toes, and ready to act in the face of extreme provocation; not down on our knees, begging the terrorists not to kill us.

Since the seizing of our embassy workers in Iran during the Carter Administration, where brave Americans withstood 444 days of torture, we have witnessed the escalation of violence in the name of various terrorist groups. Whereas the Ayatollah was apprehensive about actually letting the hostages die, showing the tiniest modicum of restraint, the freaks suckling at Osama bin Laden’s teat have been fed a steady diet of impenetrable hated for America. The higher the body count, the more devastating the damage, the better. We are dealing with an enemy of such intense loathing and ruthlessness, many of them have waited patiently, for years, planning their destruction.

When will the government and the American public realize that federal officials cannot be everywhere – at all times – to protect us? Guarding against every potential disaster, exposing and correcting the weakness in every process is not only improbable, it’s impossible. Sometime in the future, a past flaw will come back to haunt us like a demonic ghost and another attack will occur. It is at a time like this, when bravery and true sacrifice are necessary, empowered Americans will make the difference.

Finally, while the vast majority of Americans support the President, our country, and whole-heartedly support the military, it is not anti-American to question moves made by the Administration as it seeks to thwart the terrorists or prod them out of hiding. Questioning our government is a wholly and utterly American standard that we should not concede – in times of war or peace.

Changes in processes may be abysmally annoying and inconvenient, but necessary. The Greatest Generation made many sacrifices, including black outs, food shortages, rationing, etc., towards the goal of securing victory. Then as now, the government appealed to our sense of patriotism and generous spirit; whole groups of individuals made several life changes with these ideals as motivation. Still, at their core, their rights remained intact. In short, we can trust the goals in our War on Terrorism but should scrutinize the process, for if we sacrifice essential rights in the name of national freedom, we cease to be the country we are striving to protect. ***

© 2001 Linda Prussen-Razzano