Fight Terrorism by Not Being a Pathetic Sheep

Land of the free and home of the afraid.

When our country initially responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, we strongly advocated that the terrorists would win only if they succeeded in taking away our freedoms, our way of life. While few would disagree we should institute better (not just more) security measures, what has transpired is a travesty.

Much has been written about the extreme and ridiculous security checks, resulting lines, lack of consistency and the billions of dollars being wasted. As many out-of-touch government figureheads scramble with their knee-jerk reactions, everything from cockpit weapons, self-defense courses, air marshals occupying first-class seats on thousands of flights, and fingerprinting employees to confiscating safety pins has been debated and/or implemented.

Federal security screeners with a few extra days of training and their salaries tripled do little except cost millions, waste time and erode freedoms. One major airline has seen its security costs go from $8 million to more than $180 million a year.

What America has lost is any balance or common sense. It is not necessary to give up so much or even spend so many millions for a safer country. We should do our best within a reasonable and balanced wisdom and cease allowing any situation to cause us to live in fear or behind the so-called polls that would have us live in a solitary box if enough pathetic sheep continue to follow.

Bob Blanchard

Newport Beach