Originally Posted by law dawg
Teacher, it is not all about "death by crime". It is about national security and the devastating effects 9/11 had upon our security, our economy and our ability to interact in the world. Anything which threatens the security and survival of this country will be of primary import. Thousands of deaths in small groups scattered throughout the country over a period of time is tragic but does not threaten the survival of this country. Radical Islam (and the terrorism they use as their military strategy) does.
Point taken.
However, I am far from convinced that our Henny Penny response to every anomoly in the check-in and boarding process, to all data found on old computers, that our ceding of civil rights, and all the other manifestations of hysteria have any direct relation to real threats to our security.
We have become terrorized and we perpetuate that ourselves quite well with no outside help.
I point once more to the lack of any real terrorist activity in the country since 2001 and the ever heightening atmosphere of fear nonetheless. It is irrational and it is fed by our own "security" apparatus.
It is not as though I really expect the issue of safety of
all the citizenry to be of much concern to those who get to allocate public safety resources and to allocate contracts for security service and equipment. Still let's see it for what it is - largely a hand holding, "there's no boogey man under your bed and we've got FAMs here to look for you" affair.
Let's at least see that for what it is and not get so carried away with our mythic roles.
Best wishes,
Teacher49