A Few Untapped Resources -- Must Read Article!

The Patrick Henry Center ^ | November 11, 2001 | Gary Aldrich

[Taxman]

A Few Untapped Resources
By Gary Aldrich

This article ran exclusively in the Washington Times - Forum Section on Sunday, November 11, 2001.

I've flown several times since September 11, 2001 and I can truthfully admit that I was not that comfortable with getting on any airplane when I knew that the lowest bidder had won the airline contract to screen the passengers and secure the working areas of most of our nation's international airports.

As I sat in the waiting room I looked at each waiting passenger. I had promised my wife - also a former FBI Agent - that I would do as much as I could to assure my family that I would return safely. Of course they did not want me to go.

As I scanned the crowd looking for odd people, violent looking people, or those who might match a terrorist profile, I suddenly realized I was back on the job!

Two federal marshals walked down the corridor and stopped in my area to do the same thing I was doing. They scanned the group, including me. They were in uniform, and were armed. I was younger than both were, and I knew from their appearance that I was more physically fit. I mention this only because the thought occurred to me that except for the gun, I had everything they had to protect my flight against a terrorist attack.

When I entered the plane, I looked at each sitting passenger and attempted to establish eye contact. Some people will not look up no matter what's going on, because they don't want anyone to see their eyes. Often they behave this way because they're shy. Sometimes they avoid the look because they are trying to hide something. It is against human nature to not look at the arriving passengers. Some are handsome and pretty, some unusual, but all humans are interesting to law enforcement officers - on the job, or retired.

Everything looked good, but I saw no sign of any air-marshal or other official who might be armed and in a position to defend the flight. Most law enforcement types can spot each other in a hurry, and I saw nobody who resembled a cop, or a federal agent. Soon, one of the pilots came out of the cockpit and walked to the back of the plane. He tried to look casual, but he was doing the very same thing that I had done. He looked at each passenger. After he returned to the front of the plane, the second officer took a stroll to the back, and then returned to the front.

Having done as much as I could to spot a dangerous person, I went to the back of the plane to get a magazine. Two stewardesses were in the galley, speaking softly. I leaned in and whispered that I was a 26-year veteran of the FBI. They requested my row and seat number, and it was obvious they were quite pleased to hear about my presence on the plane. Even though it had been years since I'd carried a gun and a badge, I was confident I knew a lot more about security and self-defense than most of the passengers and the crew.

After we landed safely, the crew came up to me and thanked me profusely. I had really done nothing more than let them know I was on the plane. But if things had turned bad, I could have drawn upon my years of experience and training to assist the crew to the extent that anybody could when faced with odds that multiple terrorists would probably have some weapons, whereas the crew and I were thoroughly frisked and disarmed at the magnetometer.

As I drove home I began to wonder why the federal government doesn't tap into the enormous pool of former law enforcement and military personnel who are part of every community. There must be thousands of us in every major city, and I know that the smaller towns have numerous former military, because that's where a great number of our fighting men are recruited.

And, so far our terrorists have lived in larger cities - New York, for example - where it is impossible for people like me to own and carry weapons. Think of it: Thousands of former law enforcement and military personnel, trained in security most willing to do whatever it takes to protect our women and children, and our facilities. Yet, federal and state governments have disarmed us.

Moreover, in the case of at least one federal agency - the FBI - they are turning down the good faith offers of former FBI agents to do volunteer work - any unpaid work - including answering the phones, or even taking out the trash - just so that a contribution of time can be made to fighting the terror that faces us all.

Why are these obvious good resources being ignored? Simple. As a society and government we are still thinking inside the box of pre-911, before we were so terribly attacked on our own soil. The ramifications of that attack have not fully sunk in. Everyone should be on the look out - but trained law enforcement officers, now retired or in another profession, can do more.

Lots of eyes and ears watching and listening is a good thing in wartime. Thousands of former law enforcement officers armed and engaged would be a terrific infusion to the already over-taxed law enforcement agencies, now straining under the weight of enormous terrorism investigations, trying to back-fill the vacancies in the ranks caused by military call-up.

The Patrick Henry Center is a 501©(3) nonprofit, non-partisan Educational and Charitable Foundation. It does not support endorse or oppose candidates, or proposed legislation.
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To Interview Mr. Aldrich, call Katherine L. Garstka (703) 691-2301

[carenot]

I would feel very safe if Gary was anywhere Gary is.

Good lord!

It is too early to be drunk!

[Taxman]

We do have a national CCW card - it is the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

[Taxman]

I would feel very safe if I were with Gary, anyplace Gary is?

[Taxman]

Yep. Perzactly what the Founders intended -- they knew the government could not guarantee the peoples' safety.

Ultimately, we are responsible for our own safety, and it is a crime that the Federal government does not recognize and take advantage of that fact! And take advantage of the fact that there are many of us out here that are more than able and willing to do so, and to protect our fellow citizens at the same time!

[Taxman]

Right on!

[Taxman]

Then let us send it to President Bush -- gotta start somewhere!

[Taxman]

BTW, Gary does read FRee Republic, and occasionally will post here.

[Shooter 2.5]

I guess you didn't read the last sentence in my post.

[Bigun]

Gary makes a very compelling argument to improve homeland security.

Indeed he does! Wonder if anyone is listening?

[Taxman]

Well, I read it, but I must have misunderstood what you were trying to say.

I presume by your post #28 that you do not believe the government has the legal authority to license a Constitutional right, either?

[Taxman]

I hope so. Have you pinged your personal list to get them on board with us?

[Shooter 2.5]

Correct. I don't believe that licensing a Right is legal.

At the moment though, we take what we can get. There is only one State in the Union that does it correctly and that's Vermont. When there are towns in other States that make it illegal to even own a handgun, there is definitely something wrong. I"m still waiting for that person to walk up to the police officer in Washington D.C and explain that they are carrying and change the gun laws forever by bringing it to the Supreme Court. In the meantime all we have is Emerson VS. U.S.

[TERMINATTOR]

Although Mr. Aldrich doens't come right out and say it, he seems to think that ex-leo's have some sort of inside track on the right to keep and bear arms. Other than that he's right on!

"A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." - Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Thank you for flying Liberty Airlines.
Have a safe flight!

Please download and sign the Petition to Attorney General Ashcroft, asking him to enforce the Second Amendment.
To arms, to arms, the terrorists are coming!

America's Militia wants YOU!
Nine out of ten Americans will fight to keep George W. Bush in the white house, and Osama bin Laden out!

Congress has provided (Article I - Section. 8, U.S. Constitution) the Militia with a means to arm themselves: CMP (Civilian Markmenship Program).
Molon Labe !

[america-rules]

I flew two days ago and I said the same thing as he did--nobody was taking over the plane unless they killed me first !

I'm not an FBI agent nor a retired one

Lets ROLL !

[Taxman]

The WDC and NYC ban on firearms have always puzzled me -- HST, it is very expensive (1/2 million $$$ +!) to take a case to the Supreme Court, which is why their restrictions have not been challenged.

As I understand it, until a law is thrown out by the Supremes, it is law, Constitutional or not.

In the meantime, We the People suffer. Rule of Law, indeed!

“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
[Thomas Jefferson, letter to Benjamin Rush, 1800.]

[Taxman]

Well, retired LEOs and military personnel are kind of a natural "go to" for what he is suggesting, don't you think?

HST, a federal "Vermont style" carry law is really what is needed in America. (I can hear the anti-second Amendment whackos screaming now!)

Thanks for all the links. I have already sent my petition in. Interesting web sites, noted and bookmarked.

[Taxman]

Roger that!

[TERMINATTOR]

>> As I understand it, until a law is thrown out by the Supremes, it is law, Constitutional or not.

That's not entirely accurate. A jury may decide a law is unconstitutional and acquit (Jury Nulification).

Molon Labe!

[Taxman]

I know about jury nullification, but wasn't thinking about it. Jury nullification only applies to specific individuals, however. The unconsittutional law will still be enforced, right? Until the Supremes strike it down.

[TERMINATTOR]

Sorry for the confusion. I should not have not called an unconstitutional legislative act a "law". It is not. If you're obeying unconstitutional legislation or regulations you're breaking the law, or at least aiding and abetting lawlessness. IMO the overwhelming majority of legislation is unconstitutional. It's nearly impossible to avoid criminal (unconstitutional) behavior unless you're a dedicated outlaw. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, ignore the so called law. It's called "civil disobedience". If one juror agrees with you (hung jury), then you've become a law abiding citizen. Law abiding citizens are about as rare as honest politicians or judges IMHO.

To live outside the law, you must be honest --Bob Dylan