On the Dock, Holes in the Security Net Are Gaping

The New York Times ^ | November 7, 2001 | PETER T. KILBORN

[Issaquahking]

Agree with Jeff and Travis about a wake up call. When we get done with this action we need to do it just like WWII. Unconditional surrender, at whatever cost. We beat Japan by destroying Nagasaki and Hiroshima with such force that nobody messed with America for a long time there-after. In regard to the taliban, we need to make the Japanese solution look like a Sunday picnic.

[Jefferson Adams]

It will also take a nation of people who are dedicated to the war.

Sorry, but what we have is a nation dedicated to sports and Harry Potter.

[mombonn]

I don't know that it's possible, but I've been looking for some way to hate the NYT more than I did before 9/11.

I finally gave in and registered with the NYT earlier this morning so I could read "Stretching a Jewish Vigil for the Sept. 11 Dead".

My first choice of a screen name was "hatenyt"; it was already taken! I would have had to have a number after it. I changed to "nytsuckseggs", and assigned an equally dismissive password.

[Gritty]

That might get the attention of We, the people.

I'm no longer so sure of that.

Here we have this terrible attack on NYC and the Pentagon, and already people are forgetting (especially politicans). We have yet to take many basic security precautions that could be easily taken, despite incessant demands from "We, the people". With an attention span like that and such lack of resolve after that shock, what gives you such hope the next attack will be paid attention to?

[harpseal]

We are a nation at peace in our homeland and engaged in a war overseas. We do not have warlike procedures set up for our home front. There are gaping holes in our security. It will take time to plug up those gaps. It will also take a nation of people who are dedicated to the war. Your posts after this make the following statements unecessary because you obviously do understand what is going on. That peace is a peace with 5,000 dead in a single day. That peace is in a nation being hit with small bio-warfare harassing attacks. That peace is false. We had best realize that we are not at peace within our borders and start acting accordingly.

Stay well - stay safe - stay armed - Yorktown

[Don Myers]

"Sorry, but what we have is a nation dedicated to sports and Harry Potter."

It is pretty sad.

[Don Myers]

"what gives you such hope the next attack will be paid attention to?"

We have short attention spans. We are bombing now so to most people, that is sufficient. Each time we are attacked, we will pay attention to the war for a time and take some action at home. Then we will forget again or devote our attention to something else until the next time.

[Don Myers]

"We had best realize that we are not at peace within our borders and start acting accordingly."

Amen.