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Are you actually suggesting that we cease all forms of trade?

uhmn, no... was just asking the question, seeking responses, listening to what the people have to say about the subject. I've heard the idea raised more than a few times, and was genuinely curious as to what some of you think about it... I say "semi-related" because it also involves the issue of illegal aliens. Was wondering if, along with a MUCH more strict approach to dealing with illegal aliens, could we be doing a better job monitoring and measuring the legitimacy of goods imported into our country. I think there's legitimate concern when considering all those empty vats/canisters of things that get hauled in on a daily basis, with little or no monitoring. Just wondering what the thoughts are on how to lower the risk. I do strongly support the administration's theory that the best defense is a good, strong, aggressive offense here... Just some raw meat for the forum... :-)

Roger that. And... you're pretty much on target.

What gets my panties in a bunch is all the 'close the borders' ranting I see here from time to time. It's just classic wishful thinking that just simply isn't possible.

People were smuggled successfully in and out of East Germany for years... and they had just about the most secure border that could ever be made, and only a few miles of it compared to the thousands of miles of US borders.

An average container ship pulls into port with over 2500 containers, and whole industries rely on those containers unloading and getting on their way in just a few hours. It is simply impossible to inspect each one. We can wish it were possible all we want. It simply is not going to happen.

Millions of tons of drugs are illegally imported into this country every year. Why? Because there are too many ways to do it and the money is simply too good. We can't keep drugs out of prisons fer-cryin-out-loud. What this all means is that if there is a will a method will be found.

The only thing we can do is hunt them down everywhere and kill them. Sometimes we will succeed and sometimes we will fail. Yes, there will be more terrorist attacks here in the US. Yes, more people will die. The reality of the situation is that this is the reality of the situation.

But to "close the borders" -- even though it is not practically possible -- is just exactly what the terrorists would have us do. They aim to control us by managing and guiding our fear. That's how they work. That's what they want us to do.

We need to be unafraid of them, even knowing that they will succeed in hurting us again. All the while we will continue to hunt them and kill them. There may not ever be a "victory" in the classical sense. The victory comes from merely never losing the will to fight them.

The unfortunate part of this war is the the best and most important stuff all happens at the far end of a scope-sighted rifle, and never makes headlines. Some parts will from time to time make for good video that plays well for the TV generation. Most will not. That's OK. We cannot let the lack of good video lull us into the misundertanding that nothing is happening. This could not be further from the truth.