Airport Insecurity? And Why Manhood Cures Terrorism

FrontPageMagazine ^ | September 14, 2001 | Duncan Maxwell Anderson

[no-s]

Airport Insecurity? And Why Manhood Cures Terrorism
By Duncan Maxwell Anderson
FrontPageMagazine.com | September 14, 2001

THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11 tell us that we are not in a crisis of security measures, but of manhood. It appears that the pirates who commandeered the aircraft of the most high-tech civilization in history, subjugating passengers and crew who outnumbered them 20 to 1, were armed only with knives.

There were heroic moments nevertheless. A handful of passengers on one of the four planes, United Flight 93, apparently rushed the hijackers and made them miss their target as the plane went down. No doubt other acts of heroism and self-sacrifice occurred on that and other flights, which we may not learn about in this life. But Flight 93 raises the question of whether swift action by passengers at the first sign of trouble might have entirely prevented all four hijackings. Why didn?t it?

Thwarting the crimes would have required the presence of a number of daring, independent-minded men on each plane who were willing to violate the taboos of our polite, white-collar society.

I heard John Lawless, public safety director for Logan Airport, explaining the Sisyphean program by which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hopes to make flying in Boston safe. It includes banning all knives, including plastic ones, from the secure areas of the airport, even at food concessions. That seems likely to make airports more vulnerable, rather than less. Everyone in the perimeter will be sufficiently disarmed that all it will take to hijack a plane is a case of bad breath.

One might reply that Logan?s security guards (who henceforth will be state policemen) will have weapons. Or that an armed Sky Marshal will be aboard each plane. But consider that guns can be swiped from holsters. In an airport or plane sterilized of all other weaponry, a terrorist with an officer?s Glock becomes the one-eyed man in the kingdom of the blind - facing a populace armed with plastic spoons.

I hesitate to say that the logical conclusion is to force all passengers to board planes naked and unconscious, because someone might take me seriously.

People in the public safety business seem to have 19th-century ideas in a world of 21st-century transportation. They have only one solution to any problem: trying to control it from the top down, keeping ordinary citizens as helpless as possible, lest they cause more problems.

In the interest of creating a safer and easier society, we in the West have passed laws designed to keep weapons out of the hands of disorderly persons. What the laws effectively do is keep weapons out of the hands of most persons. And that can work well-in a controlled environment. But we are in a mobile society with a flight system open to the entire world. No police force or army can protect people who have emasculated themselves of all weapons. Order cannot survive where men in particular have given up the idea that it is right and good that they be equipped to stand up for themselves and protect the innocent.

Rather than seeking the diminishing returns of intensified control over the innocent, surely it would be simpler and safer to use the leverage of freedom to intimidate the guilty:

Allow any airline passenger to carry any sidearm of his choosing-concealed or unconcealed.

Anyone who tried to commandeer a plane would find himself surrounded by hostile fire, and enjoy a short career. There might be a risk of injury or death to some innocent passengers from stray shots or cabin punctures. But isn?t that a better risk than that of losing all 300 passengers and thousands of other innocents on the ground?

But it?s more likely that there would be no in-air firefights at all. If the FAA solemnly announced that passengers were free to carry private firearms, that would end discussion of the plane-hijack option among terrorists, whose greatest fear is to die in humiliating failure.

Some terrorists would try to think of other approaches to terror, of course. But the spell would be broken. For a small band of lunatics to hold a huge crowd helpless and sear the psyche of the civilized world, the crowd must be unarmed. The whole warped project of the terrorist - using a small piece of technology to make large numbers of people sit still for ideas they would otherwise laugh at - cannot survive the democracy of force.

I doubt the FAA will change its mind tomorrow. The institutions of Western culture long ago adopted feminism-a philosophy that holds that the leadership and physical strength of ordinary men are dangerous, unnecessary, and possibly evil. But feminism is built on a contradiction. For women and children - including feminists - to survive without male leadership and protection, they must be kept in a protected world where unseen male policemen or soldiers keep the bad men far away. That world is now gone.

Even now, our culture could be in the process of reclaiming its true sense of purpose to defeat its terrorist enemies. Perhaps Jeremy Glick will be an example for other men. A passenger on Flight 93, Glick called his wife on his cell phone to tell her that he and some others were about to jump the hijackers - and he told her to have a good life and raise their three-month-old daughter well. Because of these men?s heroics, Flight 93 crashed in a field south of Pittsburgh, instead of destroying the White House.

There will be no more hijackings when American men decide that they will defend their families and their neighbors from barbarians, risking their lives if necessary. Perhaps next week, men inspired by recent events will start practicing at shooting ranges. Others may take up (or re-learn) boxing or wrestling, or the Oriental martial arts - which were invented by peasants denied the use of weapons by their overlords. But rather than the specifics, it is the change in our attitude from passivity to mastery that will change our culture and our destiny.

Right now, civilized people wonder where the next disruption to their lives will occur. When they quietly arm themselves, it will be the terrorists - the diminishing number who will be attracted to that trade - who will be moving nervously from place to place, wondering which face in the crowd, which stockbroker, which accountant, which shopkeeper, which schoolteacher, will make their dreams of domination evaporate in an instant.

 

Duncan Maxwell Anderson is editorial director of Faith and Family. E-mail him at dmaxanderson@hotmail.com.

 

[dtel]

As JayW pointed out in another post, which I can't find, is the rules of engagement between hijackers and passengers changed Tuesday.

There was the unwritten rule, that if you along peaceably, you won't be harmed.

It's a whole new ballgame now.

[1_American]

What happened to our revered heros like John Wayne

They were one the PA flight. I doft my Vietnam Vet hat to Mr Glick and the other true American men on that flight.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

[LadyJD]

Glick called his wife on his cell phone to tell her that he and some others were about to jump the hijackers - and he told her to have a good life and raise their three-month-old daughter well.

Years ago, --ages ago in the life of this nation, men and women who stood for the way of life that the Founders designed, took a stand. For the last 40 years these heroes have been villified and lied about.

Mr. Gickman here are the words from a few good men. They are for your daughter; God's Treasure delivered to mankind through you.

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce and brave man, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." --Mark Twain

"Tell my boy when I am gone how I felt & wrote. Tell him never to do anything which his father would be ashamed of - never forget the principles for which his father struggled." – J.E.B. Stuart to his wife, 19 March 1863

"I wish an assurance on your part in the event of your surviving me - that you will make the land for which I have given my life your home and keep my offspring on Southern soil." – J.E.B. Stuart to his wife, 19 March 1863

"Before you, in proud humility, is the embodiment of manhood; men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor the fact of death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their resolve." --Union General Joshua Chamberlain to his troops at Appomattox, 1865.

“My Precious Life, I hope you will find time to read and improve your mind. Read history, works of truth, not novels and romances. Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and when summoned away, to leave without regret.” --Robert E. Lee to his daughter Mildred

"Keep steady in the view of the great principles for which you contend. The safety of your homes and the lives of all you hold dear depend upon your courage and exertions. Let each man resolve to be victorious, and that the right of self government, liberty and peace shall find him a defender." ---General Robert E. Lee to his men, 1861

[Fu-fu2]

My son said something similiar--that there must have been alot of "suits" on the planes. Americans have been preached to by people like Hillary, that when something happens, to "sit back, take a deep breath, etc." We need more men like those brave police and firemen in New York digging thru the rubble. Those are today's "John Waynes." Never again can Americans allow a handful of terrorists to overwhelm a crowd. If we do, we are like the people in concentration camps who never overwhelmed the guards.

[1_American]

Let the American fe-man BE NO MORE

[Common Tator]

When I was about 12 years old my Dad taught me how to kill another human being with only my bare hands.

It is not very hard to do. No one will ever be safe as long as our object is to eliminate the weapons. Bare hands are a great weapon if you know how to use them.

What we have taught people to do is submit. Our schools and law enforcement people teach it all the time. But even our ancestors were smart enough to put a guard with a shotgun and a six shooter on the stage coach. To day women are taught to submit to attackers. It is a characteristic the Ted Bundys of the world love.

We figured high jackerers just wanted to go to Cuba, or wanted some jailed people free, or wanted some money. We never expected them to be willing to die to kill us. Heavens to kamikazi no one would ever do that, they thought.

The follow the book approach is a failure when the highjackers fail to follow your book. To me the first thing that would have hit my brain when they replaced the pilots was why? The only answer is their pilot is going to do something that none of our pilots would do. Our pilots have flown highjacked planes everywhere and done all previous highjackers asked. The only sane answer is they needed their own pilot to use the plane as a weapon and crash it into people. Our pilots would fly it into the river or ocean before they would fly it into a building. That seems painfully obvious.

At that point you would know you are doomed if you did not take the plane back. Even if half of you lost your lives in taking it back, it would be worth the rich. Even total falure to take the plane back had no down side.

For any highjacker there are only two possiblities. The Highjacker intends to survivie the attempt or the highjakcer intends to die in the attempt.

If he intends to live you may take one course of action. You can use his desire to live against him, just as he can use your desire to live againts you. If he intends to die you must take another course of action. Our assumption that all highjackers intend to live was a dumb stupid mistake.

There is only one way to totally stop terrorists who are willing to die for their cause. They must know that their cause will be destroyed if they attack us. People do not die for a cause when their death will kill the cause too.

If we want to stop this forever and not have it happen again in our lifetimes, then we will destroy bin Ladens cause.

Doing that would give us more security than all the strip searchs and armed guards in the world. Today the Taliban government in Afghanistan announced that if we attacked them they would effect a terrible vengance against us.

Dead people can not effect vengance. Alive people can.

[Smartaleck]

"Disagree with letting anyone walk onto an airplane with a gun."

A people who can't punch the right hole in a voting card and we're going to let them carry guns on an airplane.

ROFLMAO.....some people

[no-s]

As I said in a previous thread, I'll be happy to ask the airline if they recommend a particular kind of bullet or handgun. I also think the airline is entitled to ask if we are carrying and to have suspicion of those who say no and are.

But the debate over details is pointless. We can not trust the government over this any more. Allowing the government to license a right is setting the stage for incrementalism. It's the governments responsibilty to make sure it's possible for a citizen to be well armed and able to shoot straight, says so in the second amendment ("well-regulated"). Anything else is an infringment.

It is now an absolute established fact that there are worse things a hijacker can do than take a planeload of people hostage and kill them off one by one. There are worse things than rushing the hijacker and causing a planeload of casualties. This was always true; Now no one may say it's hypothetical.

[William Tell]

Smartaleck said: "A people who can't punch the right hole in a voting card and we're going to let them carry guns on an airplane. ROFLMAO.....some people"

It sure points out the danger to us all of tolerating a public education system which is so ineffective at preparing our citizens for their responsibilities.

[no-s]

When I was about 12 years old my Dad taught me how to kill another human being with only my bare hands.

Damn, where'd you find the victim? I had to learn it from the Encyclopedia Britannica and Gray's Anatomy.

All kidding aside, there will always be the hateful and evil among us. This part the gun-grabbers have right. But we who would be loving and free must be free to defend ourselves from evil, not be defenseless against it.

The cost of suppressing this evil will be very high, it breaks my heart to think of all the children who could have been free but are even now being perverted to this enormous evil. If justice is not swift and sure it will only be worse. But there will be a bitter taste in our mouths over this for generations to come, unless we let freedom light the way.

[antivenom]

Let's take a look at the employed security personnel at all of our airports...another shining example of the public school systems. As it was said last night...airport security personnel...are people who can't get a job at McDonalds.

Guns have no place on an airplane, unless it is a military flight. Nothing like a stray bullet...

God Bless the "John Waynes" in NYC who are working around the clock since this horrible event.

[RamingtonStall]

According to news reports: The Brave Actions of Barbara Olson got the instructions for the Pilot who was at the back of the plane with her. (She called back after being disconnected.)

I expect that it was that Pilot and some Brave Passengers who tried to break into the Cockpit which caused the Terrorists to give up on reaching the Whitehouse, or perhaps to miss it by not being able to recognize it from the air quickly.

The one US representative, who is a pilot, said that they executed a very difficult 270-degree turn to crash into the Pentagon. This would indicate that they were rushed and had to make a sudden change of plans to hit anything.

Of course, as father of a Marine, I am not happy that they hit the Pentagon, but the number of casualties was undoubtedly lower than their intended number, AND there was Bravery higher than that of John Wayne in the movies. The key difference is that, in real life, the good guys do not always get to ride off into the Sunset.

The passengers on flights #1 and #2 which crashed into the WTC behaved exactly as the Airlines wanted them to behave under the circumstances until it was too late. The Presence of mind by the passengers on #3 and #4 to use their Cell Phones to find out what the Hell was going on was exactly the right thing to do. The heroic actions of the Pilot and the passengers on these planes were of the highest order of Bravery in the face of extreme conditions.

I Salute Barbara Olson and All of the other Brave Passengers on flights #1, 2, 3, and 4. MAy God have mercy on their souls and May the USA issue to each of them the President's Medal of Bravery!

God Bless these brave people as well as all of the other heroes who lost their lives in this tragic ACT OF WAR!

Joy! ([: ^ )

RamS

[no-s]

Thank you all for your replies. This is starting to gain some traction.

[Barak]

Let's take a look at the employed security personnel at all of our airports...another shining example of the public school systems. As it was said last night...airport security personnel...are people who can't get a job at McDonalds.

The public school system demonstrably can't educate our children for more than twice the money per student that it takes private schools to do a very good job indeed. The solution? Obvious: spend more money on the public schools!

Airport security demonstrably can't keep a few terrorists from murdering thousands of people. The solution? Obvious: spend more money on airport security!

Sheesh. Sometimes I wonder why we stand for it. Maybe we really are the idiots they take us for.

Guns have no place on an airplane, unless it is a military flight. Nothing like a stray bullet...

Stray bullets are much less a concern in pressurized cabins than movies have led us to believe. The pressure differential between inside and outside is rarely more than five psi or so. That means there would be about twelve ounces of pressure on a 45-caliber bullet hole--in other words, just about enough to hold a wad of chewing gum in place. Big deal. If pressurized aircraft pierced by bullet holes explode, somebody needs to tell all those B-29 pilots from WWII who flew against fighters armed with 50-caliber machine guns and 20mm cannons.

[Demosthenes]

I see no reason that we ordinary citizens who so cherish our rights to keep and bear arms can not be trained to serve as air marshals ourselves.

With this training, we can alleviate the fears of the passengers, and ourselves, and further, there must certainly be enough of us in America that we would not even need to schedule ourselves on flights, becuase our numbers are great enough that we could certainly be assured that there would always be three or four or more flying at any given moment.

Even if there weren't, I would gladly volunteer my own time once a month to serve in this capacity, as I'm sure any of you would...

Just a thought.

[etcetera]

You can't trust the FAA to think outside the box. Arming the unarmed victims is the logical solution, but no gov't agency or Congress would take that step. I call on President Bush to issue an Excutive Order mandating national concealed carry with specific provisions for allowing guns in airports and aboard aircraft.

[mikenusaf]

Sorry but the only way to stop terrorism is to eliminate the terrorists! Arming everyone in the US would not have stopped or prevented the Oklahoma City tragety or the original bombing in the WTC. It is a good idea and I think all Americans have a right to keep AND bear arms. Including concealed weapons without the interference of the government, but the terrorists will find other ways to get to us and the only way to stop them is to elimane them permanetly!

[no-s]

Here's another.

Rules of Engagement: Don't disarm
Soldiers on the Battlefield
(Defensive Battle Plans for the Next War)
by J.J. Johnson 09.14.01

---

As we're still digging bodies from the rubble, we are asked to come together as a people. We are asked to stand behind our leadership and show a united front. The Federal Aviation Administration has laid out new guidelines for airport and aircraft security. As a frequent flyer, it is obvious the FAA took no input from those with the most experience - air travelers. The knee-jerk reaction of the FAA shows a pattern of arrogance and ignorance that will make it difficult to truly bring this nation together, or make it more secure against further attacks of this nature. It is, in fact, a pattern of government policy that has placed this nation in peril today. Here are some recommendations from frequent traveler.

These recommendations may not sit well with some people, but I believe it is a compromise that the government and the citizens can live with - without jeopardizing the civil liberties of the entire population. Knowing that it's doubtful we would be hit twice with the same maneuver immediately, I will also discuss other vulnerabilities here in the U.S., and how to deal with them. My qualifications to speak on these matters are listed at the end of this article.

AIR TRAVEL

1) All law enforcement personnel or concealed carry permit holders having passed a certified marksman course with a specified airline (with training sponsored by the airline or law enforcement controlling authority) shall identify themselves at the ticket counter with certified identification. At that point, a security officer shall relieve them of their service or personal arms and issue a self-defense pistol and frangible ammo. These arms must be returned before leaving the destination airport.

2) Suspend carry-on luggage. This may seem like an inconvenience to many, but it has its benefits. As a frequent flyer, I've lost count of the number of times I have been hit against the head, witnessed strained shoulders, and backs, with the young and elderly having problems with placing baggage overhead. Suspending carry-on luggage would also improve boarding and de-boarding time. It might also prevent someone from coming on board saying they 'have a bomb'

3) Cell phone use. Today, Americans are lauding the fact that some of the doomed airline passengers were on cell phones reporting what was going on during their ill-fated flight. One cell-phone conversation clearly averted a worse disaster. But here's what many non-flyers do not know: Cell phone use is banned on commercial aircraft. Saving the White House required brave souls violating federal law. Solution: We are told on flights that use of electronic communication can interfere with the pilot's communications. Yet, many aircraft have phones on the back of airline seats. Get better communication for pilots, and let travelers keep cell phones on. It can save lives, and provide necessary intelligence for counter-operations during an emergency.

4) Arm all pilots.

5) Re-enforce cockpit doors

6) Insist that qualified pilots notify the airlines of their flight
experience.

The first three simple guidelines would have prevented what happened. The others are added protection. Frankly, all law abiding gun owners should boycott any domestic airline that prohibits light side arms on aircrafts. They can give us a hundred reasons why carrying guns on planes is a bad idea. I can give them 20,000 dead reasons why it's a good idea - period.

WAR AND THE STRATEGY OF THE ENEMY

Before we discuss the following subject, there are some things that must be brought into focus in order to defeat our enemy. As we mourn our losses, we must, as Americans fight off the emotion and rhetoric to understand what happened, and the true nature of our enemy. We're going to war, America - It is time to think and act like True American Warriors.

The attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon were not 'cowardly acts of terrorism'. They were acts of war. Those who carried out their missions were not cowards. More over, calling it evil and barbaric is easy, since it happened on our own soil. But we must not overlook this cold fact:

This was one of the most successful strategic assaults in combat history. This was clearly a tactical move to attack our financial infrastructure, and command and control facilities. To our enemy, the thousands who perished were mere 'collateral damage'. The mission as I can see was to attack both the financial and military means to for counter action.

Did that last paragraph make your stomach turn? This is war. Start thinking like a warrior.

Our enemy took advantage of the policy of 'centralization' and authoritarian cultural control in this country. They rightly assumed that if only the U.S. government mandated what security measures were in place, the citizens and the infrastructure would be caught off guard and unprepared when 'central targets were attacked.

And they were right.

Now, look at the new FAA regulations. Mandated from On High. Little decentralization. No consultation with the next potential victims. Even after knowing what happened on United Airlines Flight 93, no thought of empowering those closest to the battle with the means to defend themselves or take counter action. Instead: Ban knives. Among the initial acts this government took immediately after the attack, the move was to secure the President and Congress. I applaud the move to suspend air traffic, but that seems like the only measure done so far to protect the citizens. Plans have been in place for years for a 'continuity of government' scenario. But what about it's citizens?

We reacted. We weren't prepared.

As many feel the enemy we face may be still on U.S. soil, and more Americans are vulnerable to retaliation or more tactical assaults, the citizens of this country become by default - soldiers themselves. In this war, we are in the war zone, not just watching it on television. If we are to win this war - if we are to survive, the government of the United States of America will have to recognize this fact with respect to its citizens. And the citizens must accept this reality themselves, and to each other.

We are soldiers. Our military shall go on the offense. WE must be a decentralized, defense oriented society in order to protect our own people. The President has asked local and state law enforcement to protect the citizenry. While commendable, that is not nearly enough. We have to do it. And in order to do it, we have to anticipate what may be targeted next, and takes steps to prevent it. In battle, there are Rules of Engagement between the opposing forces on foreign battlefields. In order to win this war in decisive fashion, local, state and federal governments must first establish
Rules of Engagement on this battlefield - called America.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE

Did you know the interstate highway system was built with the purpose of moving military traffic? Of course, it has become part of the American way of life. Since my wife was force to drive from the east coast (due to the air shutdown), we deliberately detoured her journey to a less traveled bridge across the Mississippi River. Why? Because we were thinking like a warrior. Major bridges and tunnels are prime infrastructure targets. Their destruction could cripple commerce, civilian and military traffic. These bridge supports should be watched.

The Bush Administration recently said we were not ready to fight a war on two fronts. If we must put all our resources into this one, ending the war on drugs would free a lot of those resources domestically - think about it.

This will required local and state law enforcement to change their priorities. To improve their effectiveness, I would strongly suggest the policies of pursuing suspects for violations of 'political correctness', and enforcing the suspension of rights of animals and trees, in favor of a more important duty at hand.

America needs local and state law enforcement spending more time watching the Eads Bridge and the Baltimore Tunnel than a marijuana dealer or a gun collector.

Any state that has any law banning firearms in vehicles should suspend this law NOW. This goes double for truckers. Truckers are the eyes, ears, and soul of the American highway system. Their talents have become even more important with the suspension of air traffic. You'll see more of them on the highway. For the first one who says they want no person (especially truckers) to be armed in their vehicles, I can respond with, "where would you like that hijacked petroleum, hazardous chemical or liquid rocket fuel truck to show up? At it's intended destination, or detonated somewhere in the vicinity of thousands of people?

Truckers, arm yourselves NOW. Be on the lookout for anything strange at truck stops. Do a good walk around after every fuel stop. Fuel haulers: park away from the other trucks. All truckers should keep an eye out for fuel haulers and HazMat rigs. Something suspicious? Call the authorities, contact him on CB for identification. Use your best judgment if you don't get a response. Make sure all CB and cell phones are in working order before getting on the road.

And to Local and State Law enforcement: No firearms checks in trucks or vehicles. We are not the enemy. We are defending America.

ENERGY FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

This is an attack just waiting to happen. I am confident the government has taken steps to look out for major energy installations (dams, nuclear power plants, etc.). But with American dependence on electricity at this time, extra care should be given to all substations, and transmission towers. You don't need a plane, a car bomb, or a cruise missile. We're talking bolt cutters and medium range rifles. The lineman will know what to look for, and where the key points are. For security reasons, I will not go into details here.

I will say this: targeting key installations mentioned above are a lot easier than defending them. This is due again, to 'centralization'. We are dependent on power companies to provide electricity. Without it, state leaders declare emergencies.

Solution: The time has come to switch to self-contained power systems. Power companies can take the lead. At any time, power can go down - energy sources may become crucial anywhere, at any time. Without going into details, new businesses can be started in this country by installing 12 volt - DC bypasses on many low wattage appliances. This would allow many domestic, business and industrial systems to run on battery back ups if the need arises. This is a long-term plan, but it must be started NOW.

No more politics, people. This is war. We are Americans. We are defending America.

Did you enjoy the gas lines and price jumps on September 11, 2001? Think there may be a chance of fuel interruptions during this period? Let's start doing something about it. It's called 'decentralization'.

Taking the side of the environmentalists, we must move to alternative fuel sources as soon as possible. Are you hearing me, Detroit? Get your engineers to work. Taking the side against the environmentalists, I would urge that all regulation banning the exploration and refining of domestic resources be
suspended during this emergency. This is part of the reason we're in this mess now - and everyone knows it. We will need as much fuel as possible until the domestic changeover is made. Sharp eyes must be kept on refineries, shipping and pipelines. Again, this will require local and state law enforcement to change its priorities. Your job is to 'serve and protect'. It's time to start doing it.

WATER AND SANITATION

Again, this is too easy, and if preparations are not made, whole cites could be left defenseless. Home water purification systems are a must. For those on municipal water systems, I would urge plastic containers to keep spare water on hand, as much as possible. Paranoid? There is an unexplained mega -fish kill off the coast of Kuwait right now. Natural or man-made? Wanna be around to find out? When it comes to extra water: better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Those with wells should have backups. Government officials should back off prosecution of folks who use too much water. During the recent Klamath agreement, the issue of Farmers needing water to grow food in time of war came up. It was one of the few valid arguments that got through to federal officials. Perhaps this is a good sign. In short: have stand-by water ready. Again, it's called decentralization.

COMMUNICATIONS

Yeah, they can go after phone lines too, and since the Internet has not gone totally wireless, we'll need to look out for that as well. No phones, no Internet, no news, no information. If they are smart enough to take down the World Trade Center, a local phone system is small potatoes (See: The Infrastructure). All utility personnel should be on the lookout for this. In a given area, utility workers from different utilities recognize each other. Keep that in mind. Also watch for unauthorized persons around cell phone towers (in the event of covert, local operations)

Most utility outfits have strict rules about their workers being armed in company vehicles. Again for national security reasons, I will not say what kind of havoc can be caused with one or two trained operatives getting hold of the right utility vehicle on any given utility system. Those who drive the vehicles and 'work the line' know.

Before you write off what I just said, remember: They successfully hijacked 4 jumbo jets simultaneously, didn't they?

Linemen, phone workers, cable workers - arm yourselves. The way this war may be fought, you may find yourselves as prime targets. And make sure you have backup communications.

In worse case scenarios, electricity and communications may be knocked out for quite a while. Have a flashlight ready. And get a book or audio tape on Morse code. Of course you'll never have time to learn it - until there's nothing else to do. Knowing Morse code may help someone pull you out of the rubble one day.

This is serious, people. You want to beat these warriors? You have to think like warriors. This is war - a war that has been proven can, and probably will, be brought to a battlefield near you.

FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The Key here is simply to keep the banks open. Banks meanwhile, should begin looking heavily into safe, online transactions, and making cash more accessible. Simultaneous car bomb attacks on several banks in a given city can shut down commerce fast. Banks should take precautions. Inconvenient for your customers and too expensive, you say? Wasn't an issue with the federal government after Oklahoma City. In the case of a bank, it doesn't even have to be a car bomb. Remember the Rome and Vienna Airports back in the 80's, and Prozac enhanced psychopaths in restaurants, schools, and other places in recent history.

Lesson learned: armed people can thwart such attacks.

These are just a few precautions that need to be taken. All of America is saying things will never be the same again. They are right. Things have to change. Our federal government vows to protect us. They mandate x-ray machines at all airports, and 4 planes are hijacked simultaneously. They put barricades around their buildings, while the World Trade Center is there for the taking. The want armed guards on planes and in airports, but the potential victims can't even carry knives.

Go ahead. Call me crazy, Sen. Schumer and Clinton lovers. Then turn on the news and witness the results (in their own state) of doing it your way.

We are at War, America. Look at New York. Look at Washington right now. Take a good look, dammit. Don't hide our children from the truth anymore. Our enemy has proven that he can and will bring this battle to our own soil. Americans will support their troops in battle in a war zone.

But there are simply not enough law enforcement personnel to watch this battlefield. If Congress simply passed more laws taking the right of self-defense away from the people who will be working to support their war machine and leave us vulnerable, then don't bother sending the military anywhere.

Our enemy is not stupid. They took advantage of the lack of trust between this government and its people. If this government does not take a hard, honest look at this cold fact and respect the people's right of self defense, we will be sitting ducks for the next attack.

There are over 55,000 take-offs a day with commercial and cargo aircraft in the U.S. The federal government barely has that number of civilian law enforcement in arms. There is no feasible way to train that many that fast. The Airline industry on the other hand, could handle 1.3 million passengers daily. With law-abiding air travelers in arms - you do the math.

The lesson of September 11, 2001: Don't disarm your soldiers on a battlefield. It can cause heavy losses.

These are the new Rules of Engagement.

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[no-s]

ITALICS BEGONE