Caught in a lie?

Opps! You got me!

From the Congressional report on the events that took place on September 11, 2012 in Benghazi, Libya.

During 2012, in numerous communications with the State Department, officials from the U.S. Mission in Libya stress both the inadequacy of security as well as the need for additional personnel.

The following cables address this issue:

~March 28, 2012, Ambassador Cretz sends a cable to Secretary Clinton requesting additional security assets.

~April 19, 2012, The response cable from the Department of State to Embassy Tripoli, bearing Secretary Clinton’s signature, acknowledges Ambassador Cretz’s request for additional security but instead articulates a plan to scale back security assets for the U.S. Mission in Libya, including the Benghazi Mission.

I found this to be rather interesting but, not earth shattering in the least.  Anyone with half a brain could see that something fishy was going on right from the first response that was issued by the White House.  I know that politicians lie, it's what they do.  I get it.  Point very well taken.  Where I have a problem is when they lie to cover up something so egregious as the deaths of Americans that may very well have been prevented.  I would have been quite impressed if the administration took at least a minute fraction of responsibility for their imprudence.  Would I still have been critical? You bet but, I would respect them a little more. 

To make matters worse, Secretary of State Clinton goes on a rant during her testimony (under oath mind you).  I certainly can understand her being defensive and I do not fault her for that.  That's what happens when someone gets called out and has no truthful retort.  Again, I get it but, she said two things that really pissed me off. 1.) "I had no prior knowledge of a request for more security" and 2.) "What difference does it make?"

Well, it makes a huge difference and even more so now knowing that you knew about it, lied and then attempted to cover it all up. You see it's all about accountability.  I like to think that I was taught better than that.  I was taught that if I screwed up, which I've been known to do from time to time, I am to man-up and take responsibility for my actions.  Don't try to hide it by lying and covering it up.  What kind of example does that set?  In the long run it only makes matters worse for one but, more importantly people lose respect for you and your word then becomes meaningless. 

TSA Leaders Propose Lift of Ban?

Guideline for acceptable knives.

So the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is considering letting travelers  bring small knives back on planes.  Along with knives they're also considering allowing individuals to carry golf clubs and better yet baseball bats on planes!  Who thinks this is a good idea?  Now I realize that the TSA has a very important job in securing flights but, really?  Baseball bats?

  

I've never really had a problem with the TSA.  The times I've flown lines have been relatively long but nothing too unbearable considering the options.  The first time that I ever dealt with TSA was when I flew from New York to Iraq.  We were informed that we had to secure our weapons, which we're carrying on the plane heading to war, by putting a zip tie through the chamber and magazine well.  This made perfect sense to me as I'm sure that no one on the flight had a knife.  The zip ties could easily be cut off but, I am pretty sure that no soldier on that plane was looking to hijack the flight.  It was just a formality I understand but, it was still pretty humorous. But, as I said, I never really had an issue with TSA.  I realize that they have a job to do and regulations are regulations. 

Now some brainiac, in office no doubt, has chosen to look at the policy which listed prohibited items and make some changes.  I certainly understand policies can change from time to time as needed but, allowing knives, regardless of the size, or baseball bats back on the plane is ridiculous!  They state that allowing passengers to carry these items will free up resources to deal with greater threats.  Really?  I didn't realize that it took so much time, energy and resources to identify a person carrying a bat!  This is where individuals in charge really need to look at how these decisions are made.  Better yet, maybe we should take a look at how these individuals making these decisions got it into those positions in the first place.

  

I can't fathom for the life of me how anyone would want or need to bring a baseball bat onto an airplane.  Now, I understand individuals in the past have brought some odd  objects into a plane but, I don't think I've ever seen anyone carry a baseball bat or a golf club into the cabin of the plane.  I have seen golf clubs as checked baggage which is perfectly fine.  But anyone who would bring a golf club onto a plane just makes no sense to me and if I saw an individual with a baseball bat on the plane, I would certainly be cautious.  Just saying.

Well I guess if they are going to allow baseball bats on the plane they will also have to allow cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, tire irons, hammers, and I guess if you're allowing knives you're going to have to allow screwdrivers and ice picks.  You never know when you'll need to break up your ice for your drink.  Where does it stop? And I don't mean the list of items.  I mean where does one's commonsense stop that makes them even consider that it might be a good idea to bring a knife or a baseball bat onto a plane?  Ridiculousness at its best.  GO TSA!

Combating Terrorism: What's being done?

Boston Marathon Bombing 15 April 2013

As we have seen over the past week, the United States has many enemies around the world that would like nothing more than to see its demise.  This includes natural citizens and people who migrate to our country and for one reason or another become disheartened with our way of life.  Once these people decide that they need to act, there is almost no stopping them.  They are influenced by radicals and trained to kill without remorse.  The bombing in Boston is a prime example.  Any individual possessing even a fraction of moral turpitude could look and see innocent civilians, including children and pass on that potential target.  The suspects in Boston had no feeling or concern for innocence and they could care less about the people they harmed.

Prior to the attacks of 9/11 the government had policies in place in an attempt to secure the nation and protect its citizens but, that was not enough.  There was a breakdown somewhere which allowed terrorists to strike targets that symbolized capitalism, America's wealth and its defense.  Thousands of innocent people were murdered by an enemy that is ruthless and relentless.  Since that day new Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPD) have been created in order to prevent this from ever happening again.  Even though it is very likely that other attacks will take place again sometime, the HSPDs have been effective as there has yet to be another attack since 9/11 and several attempted attacks have been thwarted.  The Tehrik-e Taliban (TTP) has vowed to launch more attacks within the United States and as stated earlier they have already attempted to do so.  It is imperative that new directives are created as well as revisiting older ones in order to maintain effective security.

There are twenty-five different HSPDs that have been established since 2001 and while they all are vital, certain directives are much more pertinent with regards to dealing with the TTP.  A leading issue in the campaign to protect our homeland from an attack by the TTP is stopping them from entering the country.  Homeland Security Presidential Directive #2 deals with just this, Combating Terrorism through Immigration Policies.  The directive creates a task force solely responsible for tracking foreign terrorists.

It is to ensure:

{“ that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Federal agencies coordinate programs to accomplish the following: 1) deny entry into the United States of aliens associated with, suspected of being engaged in, or supporting terrorist activity; and 2) locate, detain, prosecute, or deport any such aliens already present in the United States.” (HSPD, 2001)} 

The ability to deny entry is important however, the key is locating the terrorists before they attempt to enter the country.  This task force will use the latest technology and intelligence in order to prevent TTP and other operatives from entering the country.  The task force and others will do everything to protect the U.S. and its assets home and abroad.  The Immigration Naturalization Service (INS) and Customs Enforcement section is covered by section 2 of HSPD #2.  Immigration concerns have recently moved to the forefront of many news agencies.  Most of the issues are concentrated on illegal immigrants from Mexico but, that could very well be the least of our county’s worries when it comes to immigration.  Should members of the Taliban or other terror organizations unknowingly cross the border they could then move freely about the county in preparation for an attack.  It is vital that agencies such as the INS, FBI, NSA and others work together in order to create an impenetrable barrier.  

The war on terror began on September 11^th, 2001 when members of Al Qaida attacked the World Trade center in New York, The Pentagon in Washington, DC and in the air on Flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville, PA.  President Bush made this declaration on Sept. 20^th during his speech to a joint session of Congress.  He stated that “the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows.” (Presidential Speech, 2001)  This struggle started by al Qaida has reached around the globe and new threats by the Tehrik-e Taliban have augmented their menace.  The TTP has proven itself to be a frightening enemy that will not lay quiet and bow down at mere threats.  They are a like a king cobra coiled, showing its expanded hood as a warning and quite ready to strike.  Their strike can be deadly and come at any time but, with constant awareness can be defended against and even exterminated.  We must not be complacent in any way.  Soldiers are taught to maintain situational awareness at all times and civilians need to do the same.  The average person needs to pay attention to what is going on around them at all times.  Diligence will prevail as proven on May 1^st, 2010 when:

{“A T-shirt vendor on the sidewalk saw smoke coming out of vents near the back seat of the S.U.V., which was now parked awkwardly at the curb with its engine running and its hazard lights on. The vendor called to a mounted police officer...” (NY Times, 2010)}

Everyday people with everyday lives will be fighting this war as well as the members of the military and state and local law enforcement agencies.  It is a battle that will no doubt continue for many years to come and the government will certainly do everything within its power to protect its people but, it takes a combined effort.  Everyone must do their part to keep our country safe and secure.  Some feel that the “see something, say something” approach is ineffective but, that was proven false in Watertown, MA as an average citizen noticed his shed door open and saw that the tarp on his boat had been tampered with.  He called 911 and this led to the apprehension of the 2^nd suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing.  Terrorism is something that will be here for a long time and only fools try to wish it away.

           

References

Baker, A., Rashbaum, W. (2010, May).  Police Find Car Bomb In Times Square. New York Times.

Bush, G. W. (2002, September). The National Security Strategy of the United States of America. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office

Bush, G.W. (2001, October).  Homeland Security Presidential Directive #2, Combating Terrorism Through Immigration Policies. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office

Gerson, M. (2001, September). Presidential Speech to Joint Session of Congress. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.