Once again, the lack of coordination between local authorities and the Department of Homeland Security may become increasingly problematical in the days to come.
We have all seen where intelligence and law enforcement agencies have either failed to connect the dots or take proactive measures in time to circumvent terrorist plots. Now, how many average citizens know what to do if they encounter suspicious activity in their neighborhoods?
Yes, you could call 911 – and wait for the “Press 1 for English” and the inevitable “All operators are busy” messages. Then you can attempt to explain your situation to someone who may be required to prioritize your request for potential dispatch. However, in an emergent situation, the game may be over by the time you hang-up the telephone.
| A true story … Shortly after 9/11 I encountered an old, dilapidated Navy surplus bus with its windows painted over parked on a critical overpass which controlled the I-10 (Westbound) split to the I-405 (North/South) freeways. The license plates had been painted over and were barely visible. Thinking this was suspicious, I called the local police. After explaining my concerns to several different people, I was told that an officer would be dispatched to investigate. Would I mind remaining at the scene? Thirty-minutes later, a traffic officer arrived and after a brief conversation, he too thought that the bus appeared to be suspicious. Unfortunately, he could not decide what course of action to take and his superiors were of little help. Our dilemma was resolved by luck. It seems that the bus was a recent purchase of a local Baptist church and was scheduled to be rehabilitated for church use. The church was located down the block and someone saw the police investigating the bus and walked down the block. They opened the bus for inspection and all was resolved amicably – the officer declining to issue a ticket for various and sundry violations. While most suspicious events and objects turn out to be relatively benign, who knows when an ordinary-appearing object can turn deadly. Will I avoid reporting suspicious incidents because of personal embarrassment – NO! But I will be sure not to approach a suspicious object as closely as I had approached the bus. |
Hope and good intentions are not a plan …
Every citizen should be made aware of how to contact the authorities should they encounter a disturbing event or suspicious package. I hate to say it, but it is more likely that an explosive weapon will more than likely be delivered by an ordinary delivery truck which appears to be completely normal in the surrounding environment. However, if you should see the driver hop out and enter another vehicle – watch out!
Why we should be concerned …
Fox News is reporting …
“Intelligence Officials Warn Attempted Al Qaeda Attack Months Away”
“Al Qaeda can be expected to attempt an attack on the United States in the next three to six months, senior U.S. intelligence officials told Congress Tuesday.”
“The terrorist organization is deploying operatives to the United States to carry out new attacks from inside the country, including ‘clean’ recruits with a negligible trail of terrorist contacts, CIA Director Leon Panetta said. Al Qaeda is also inspiring homegrown extremists to trigger violence on their own, Panetta added.”
Profiling the prisons and Mosques …
We have heard stories about Americans and others being radicalized by those who do not wish us well in our prisons and local Mosques. And yet, our politicians continue to claim that our Constitutional rights keep them from taking action. Especially those concerning freedom of religion and freedom of speech. I am not aware of any part of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights or any other government document which compels us to commit suicide by ignoring our own defense. So progressive political correctness aside, why shouldn’t the authorities embark upon an intelligence “profiling” program that might serve to detect and deter homegrown terrorism. We know what most terrorists look like, how they behave and what they are capable of doing. Why shouldn’t we take prudent precautions, apologizing to those we inconvenience if we make a mistake. As individuals, we, might be inconvenienced, but we will be alive to file a complaint or seek redress in a court of law – if that is your inclination.
Reality …
While it is improbable that you will meet a terrorist head on, it is more than likely that your will meet, depending on where you live, a criminal who would like to deprive you of your property – and under some circumstances your life.
Consider that the authorities cannot be everywhere at once, especially under the conditions caused by a widespread emergency, and that you will need to defend yourself, your family and possibly your friends and neighbors. Consider this when your government attempts to deny you your right to protect yourself or usurps the Constitution’s Second Amendment. Remember this when the progressives, especially those governing decaying and crime-ridden districts try to weaken criminal statutes and allow criminals to roam free. Criminals who, by definition, do not obey the law and will use any weapon at their disposal to facilitate their immediate whims. Remember the politicians who shun their first duty to protect the people and cut first responders (police, fire and medical workers) while keeping unionized cubicle workers gainfully employed. Remember the politicians who force the police and sheriff to release allegedly non-violent criminals into the community as a budgetary device. Knowing that, here in California, at least two of these so-called non-violent criminals are now charged with murder and rape.
In any event pre-program a set of direct-dial emergency numbers in your cellphone as it is highly unlikely that 911 will become overloaded and unavailable during a true emergency. Know who to call and what to say. Drop by your local police and fire stations and ask them about preparedness plans. They are more than happy to help.
In the final analysis, there is you, your immediate family and your neighbors. I know, I learned many lessons during both the Watts Riots (it was not the civil disobedience that many in the black community claimed) and the Northridge Earthquake.
And, remember when you vote, your elected officials may have an agenda of their own which speaks not to the public welfare but to their own political, professional and financial self-interest. Corruption, complacency and political correctness will do more to cripple this country than an atomic bomb. Vote as if your life depended on it, because in today’s perilous times, it does!
God gives you life and the will to live, Smith & Wesson provides the protection. Forewarned is forearmed. (No pun intended)
-- steve
Reference Links:
FOXNews.com - Intelligence Officials Warn Attempted Al Qaeda Attack Months Away
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