In the dual hope of quieting some growing tensions on this forum and getting those who oppose the unbridled growth of "Security" in the United States to funnel their activities in the right direction, I am going to re-state what I have posted numerous times: This is not a partisan issue.

The TSA, Department of Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, and the 9/11 Commission's recommendations all have widespread support which cuts across party lines. Yes, there are a few politicians who have spoken out against the trend to have Big Brother protect us, but they tend to come from the true liberals and true conservatives of their parties -- and both are endangered species.

Consider the following:

1. George Bush established the TSA with bi-partisan support in the Congress and under the jurisdiction of his Democratic Transportation Secretary. Kerry's objection to the TSA is that there are not enough screeners.

2. The Department of Homeland Security was proposed by the Democrats, and initially Bush was against it. He later agreed to it.

3. John Kerry voted for the Patriot Act.

4. George Bush signed it into law.

5. Bush agreed to most of the recommendations of the bi-partisan 9/11 Commission regarding the appointment of an Intelligence czar witih cabinet level rank. Kerry agreed with all of the recommendations, said he would make it his first priority, and attacked Bush for not wanting to give the czar enough authority. This started to look like a tiny campaign issue but Bush quickly gave in.

The simple fact of life is that it is political suicide today to be seen as "anti-Security" and both parties recognize this.

I am certain that if a poll were to be taken today asking, "Do you want to return to the airport security which existed pre-9/11", 90% of Americans would say no. The remaining 10% would be frequent flyers and ideological purists.

Until the American public realizes that the TSA does not provide security, but rather the illusion of security, it will support it.

Until people understand that the dangers inherent in having one person in control of all national intelligence and law enforcement far outweighs the security benefits that it will provide, the 9/11 Commission's recommendations will be considered Holy Writ.

Until people grasp that you are not being patriotic when you sacrifice the freedoms upon which America was built, they will continue to favor the Patriot Act.

This is a matter of education. Get these points across to enough people and both parties will do an about-face. Meanwhile, attempts to show that "my guy" or "my party" is the good one on these issues is purely partisan propaganda poorly disguised as opposition to these measures.