Originally Posted by Teacher49
You might be right. But if we respond to every conceivable threat with what is basically CYA behavior, then soon we will be living under an oppressive burden of security. Oppressive both in cost and in intrusion into our lives. Some hears that maybe NYC tourist helicopters may be used in terrorist attacks - next thing you know they are included under a security umbrella. We know from the attack on train station in Spain, the attack years ago on the Paris Metro, the attacks on buses in Israel, the vulnerability of ferries (have you ever thought about the car ferries in the Northwest that take closed vans and semi rigs onto their car decks?) If any semi intelligent person takes a look around and tries to think like a terrorist, they will see hundreds, thousands of vulnerable targets. We cannot protect them all, not 1% of them.
Insofar as you carry out public policy questioning what what you are asked to do and how you do it is not only the right of citizens in a democracy, but it is our duty. Your line of reasoning has been used many times in the past to cover excesses, mistakes, and at least a few terrible deeds.
Obviously, operations underway which would be comprised are somewhat exempt, but even there we have certainly seen abuse of that kind of cover. We see in even in statements equivalent to "you don't know what I know, so just do as I say."
This attitude is rampant in "security" right now and is getting worse. Our rights and dignity are being eroded with too little accountability. And those who could demand accountability - the politicians in office - are afraid to. The atmosphere is such that every one is afraid not to be afraid because the public have been spoon fed the idea that it is possible to be 100% safe. Under that logic, any vulnerability which is exploited becomes - in hindsight - someone's fault. Consequently fear multiplies, "security" becomes more pervasive and ... the terrorist have won! We are acting terrorized!
As to teachers, you'd better believe that non-teachers do have rights to review what they do and how they do it if the teachers work in the public sector. And that right is exercised, too, as it should be.
There is a limit to how much of our lives we should give over to "experts" whether in education, law enforcement, medicine, or what ever.
Best wishes,
Teacher49
Point taken on the bottom part, especially as it relates to general philosophy. I was thinking more along the lines of specific tactics when I wrote that but responded to a general message you wrote (civil rights, etc). That is my bad.
As for the top part I also agree if you try to hedge all your bets. Civilian aviation, however (this forum) is a tried-and-trued terrorist point of attack. They have, time and time again, attacked at this point, even when their previous attacks failed. 9/11 was a tactical failure but an overwhelming strategic success. They will attack it again.
The only question is what tactics will they use. Bomb, hijacking, suicide run, missle, etc.
Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. And, like Clauswitz recommended, you plan for your enemy's capabilites, not his intentions.