Never Again what?

Yom HaShoah, (Holocaust Memorial Day) is coming up and the shouts of “Never Again” flood the cyber waves. From all walks and talks of Jewish life Jews are raising their fists, their voices, their thoughts. Not just any particular group, but the whole spectrum of our people. Amazing, some unity!

Forgive me, but Never Again what? I read that we wont let our people be methodically slaughtered again, we won’t let such a genocide take place again, against our own people.

Who exactly won’t let this happen again?

I read, again from the whole spectrum of our tribe, how now we have our land, our Jewish State, even a Jewish Army! I read and feel the pride our people, most of our people, are showing, and their determination to stop any such horror from happening again.

But what about stopping the process that may lead to the unthinkable?

That must be stopped first!

The enemies of the Jewish people realize very well who would put a stop to an attempt at destroying the Jewish people again, they know very well the State and the People of Israel will stand up and fight them.

Our enemies know exactly whose commandoes will show up at their doorstep, and they know they will be speaking Hebrew, not English.

Why do you think Israel is the brunt of their attacks now, why do you think they want to take our land away from us? Our enemies know where Jewish strength comes from.

The Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East do not care about genocide, you don’t see any demonstration against the slaughter of Africans in Darfur, and you don’t see shouts against the ongoing slaughter of Muslims against Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. You don’t see Muslims in America standing up against these atrocities do you? Why is that?

Maybe they want Israel to disappear and the Jews to go back to the way it was 100 years ago, maybe they want the Jews to disappear all together, maybe.

Yom HaShoah closes in and you want to shout “Never Again”, well shout it, but do something about it! Stop standing idly by on the sidelines just raising your fists, stop your friends and neighbors from joining ranks with those that want to destroy us and take away our land. Stop letting people believe the lies regarding Israel and the (lack of) Peace process.

Start being involved and start taking action so that this process should not gain any more momentum.

We have lost enough people to violence, terror and ignorance. Let’s really give some honor to those that were taken from us by standing up stronger than ever against those that wish us gone and taken from our land and our own midst.

I know a bunch of people who will give their lives to make sure this will never happen again.

So lets expand on “Never Again”.

“Never Again” will Jews be victims of violence and terror.

“Never Again” will Jews be evicted from their land, any of their land.

“Never Again” will Jews stand quietly by and be fooled by our enemies.

“Never Again” will Jews be led to a slaughter.

NEVER AGAIN!

Obamafada

While the State Department voices it treacherous commitment to Israel and it’s sworn duty to tell “painful” truths, the dogs of war growl and drool as their cause is championed by the present US administration.

One of these “painful truths” that bothers me is the up and coming and seemingly inevitable outbreak of a new intifada, or as I have termed it, “Obamafada”. While the President of the United States might not be personally championing further violence in this region, I use this term simply because every time his administration makes a move, we grow closer to another outbreak of violence. This time he is the catalyst.

When he pressures an already confused government, and attempts to bend them to his will, we always see an increase in violence. Of course an irony that is in plain view is, the more he supports the PA Authority boss Abass, Hamas gains strength. A vicious circle, no doubt, but them again, the Middle East hosts no logic.

The new supposed reason behind this perverted strategy is that Israel’s behavior is bad for the US - apparently we do not harbor enough terrorists, or sponsor enough terrorism to warrant support from the Minyan at the Whitehouse. Either that or General Petraeus just cant succeed in fighting Islamic terror.

We have even been told apparently, that if we promise to give up land, the Arabs will stop telling their kids to kill us, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

It is not going to get any better, and it seems that this US policy of bullying Israel against the US better interests is here to stay, at least till a new election. The army of White House advisors have apparently convinced “anyone who is anyone”, that it is better to have the Muslim Countries and Islamic people as friends then a bunch of Jews in the Middle East.

They should be commended for they have even convinced it seems, most of US Jewry of the same distorted vision.

Congrats!

Yes, go ahead make friends with the Arabs, sell out Israel. The peace loving Arabs only want quiet and a peaceful existence with Israel, NOT! Sure, make Israel go back to the UN partition (read: Suicidal), you remember, 1947, and there will be peace on earth, maybe.

Now for something really scary, this concept and ridiculous thought process is coming from the country that leads the free world.

It is interesting how Russia and China stand by quietly as the US plots it’s own downfall in the eyes of the world. They watch as this giant stoops and trips. They are not stupid, they realize that as soon as the US stabs Israel in the back, most other countries will seek out a stronger friend, and ally in the face of world terrorism and it will be either Russia or China.

After hearing what Hillary Clinton had to say regarding “Settlement Activity” I realized that it was a bad hair day at State.

She said “But we also expect Israel to continue taking concrete steps that will help turn that vision into reality”….”legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians” and so on. The “Palestinian vision”, their “aspirations”, does anyone know what they are?

They wish Israel and the Jews to disappear from the Middle East.

This is what the US admin is asking us to do, in other words, to help the Arabs kill ourselves. Not paranoia, this is fact, just listen to the speeches as spoken in Arabic.

If it is peace she is after, let her say Peace for Peace, not “Land for Peace”, not Peace for “cessation of inciting children against Israel”, not release of Terrorists, but only Peace.

But Hillary doesn’t want that, Prez Obama doesn’t want that, they just want the Muslims and the Arabs to leave them alone, know why? Because they are weak and do not represent a strong America, among other things.

They will continue to buckle under the Islamic threat and they will not safeguard America against her enemies. Even worse they are now giving the Arabs a license to act against the continued presence of the Jewish people in their land. Imagine, so now when there is an act of Terror against Jews in Judea and Samaria, it is in US interest and even sanctioned in unspoken words.

Hillary Rodham and Barak Hussein have succeeded in achieving a serious goal for the Muslim and Arab world, they have driven a wedge into the Jewish people.

It is now up to us, those who see it, to work at pulling it out, before it is too late.

The Games We Play

One of the great game boards of the world is and always has been the Middle East, Israel especially. Since the time of Abraham, when he was given some insights regarding the Real Estate of the region, this area has been coveted by every power in the world. It seems that just because it was promised to the Jewish people, every one wants a piece of it.

Israel has no great amounts of natural resources, no oil, no water or great natural gas deposits. Our only and most valuable resource that we have is the Jewish people, and the only time the land of Israel flourishes is when we are there, en masse.

The amount of good and knowledge that comes out of Israel and the Jewish people in Israel is not proportionate to the size of the people and land, the numbers of Nobel Prizes, Awards, Technological and Medical Advances, to name a few categories is renown and amazing. This happens most when there is an Israel with Jews in it, and the most advances for our people and the world have occurred since 1967, since we have been back in our land, all of our land.

This is not a coincidence it is a simple fact.

In fact, if we look back at history, when did the Arab world start taking a renewed interest in Israel? Only since the Jewish people started returning to their land.

The early Jewish returnees had no choice but to revive the land and by doing this, more jobs and opportunities became available. Suddenly a flower bloomed in the desert, and this caught the eyes not just of the world, but of course the Arabs of the region, from Syria, the Eastern region of then Palestine, today called Jordan and Egypt. Simply out of seeking a better life for themselves from amidst the squalor they were (and are) used to, they came to Israel to be near the Jews, to take advantage of work and opportunities, to make things better for themselves. No illusions, straight up, they were not looking for a homeland, a spiritual renewal, they were simple opportunists, seeing the possibilities of a better life they came to the Jews and to Israel (which was by the way called Palestine at the time).

Of course over a short time they decided that instead of living peacefully with the Jewish people in Israel, it would be best to throw them out, big mistake.

I am sure everyone remembers the story of the Goose that laid the Golden Eggs, well, who says that was just a story.

It seems that today everyone is trying to get at the “guts” of Israel, our Heartland, they figure that’s where the gold is, to do that you have to kill the Goose, right?

They are right, that is where the gold is, but what they do not understand is that it is the joining of the Jewish people to their heartland, heritage and Birthright that creates the gold.

In their greed and hatred of Israel and the Jewish people, the Arabs and other enemies of the Jewish people and of a Jewish State, refuse to notice this main ingredient, this win-win combination, and they will attempt to cut apart the Goose to get the gold, big mistake.

This wonderful and winning combination of the Jewish people in their Heartland is being kept from a majority of our people, mostly those overseas. They have been mislead into thinking that the Jews from Judea and Samaria are not part of the State of Israel and that Judea and Samaria are not part of the country. This common error has spread like a globetrotting virus, infecting the non-inoculated ignorant masses.

Judea and Samaria are an integral part of Israel, and have always been, look it up. Besides being historically important to us as a people, many supporters of Israel and those Israelis that support Leftist views tend to forget the strategic and security importance this land holds for us.

As I view Ben Gurion Airport from Haresha or Maale Levona, I often wonder what it would look like through a gunners or Rocket Site. How would the “Left” act when our main Airport gets shut down due to Kassam or Katusha fire? What would the US State Department say when Israel’s infrastructure comes under attack? What would they say after the same mistakes of the Gaza expulsion are (Gd forbid) made?

I’m sorry, I can’t seem to hear you through the cheers of the Arabs and Islamic world, yell louder!

Too Late! They Left couldn’t say anything, the world wouldn’t say anything, the Jews living outside of Israel, who would support such madness would just Tsk, Tsk away. Who would bare the responsibility? Who would rush to our side? Who will comfort us and help us bury our dead? Who?

Sorry again, the cheers of our enemies are just too loud…. maybe you can sign your answer to me, or better yet, send me a SMS.

I know that Israel’s PR is pretty much non-existent and our reputation regarding Judea and Samaria has been violated and perverted. Never the less, all efforts should be made to reintroduce our heartland and heritage to our people, at least come out to see for yourselves, but be warned, do not be led by someone who wants you to leave, but by someone who loves our people and who loves our land for what it is, a part of our people.

We as a world only stand to benefit from this combination - we all share in this gold. This combination of the Jewish People in their Homeland is the winning combo and it is we who are responsible to the world to keep this combination together, yes we Jews are responsible.

Do not let fear decide who you are, do not let deceit be your guide.

We are seeing a renewed and stronger effort by the Arab nations to cleanse us from our land. The double-edged standard will be wielded with a wider arc in the name of peace. It will be aimed, as usual towards the Jewish people and their continued existence in their land.

The threats will and are coming from all directions - our strength will and does come from within.

The results of giving into these ridiculous claims and desires of our enemies will wreak havoc and this will affect not just us in Israel, but the world, all of the world. Guess who will be first to suffer?

This is something that can and must be avoided. The way to start and fight this threat of havoc is by renewing and strengthening our connection to our homeland, to the places we read about in our history, in our Torah. Just to coin a phrase, our Birthright, but I mean our real Birthright, the places our forefathers walked and lived, you know the places most trips don’t show you, start in the beginning.

Some more preachin'

Some more preaching to the Choir…

I attended a “talk” at UCLA, the last of a series regarding Israel. This talk was given by a resident of one of the larger communities in the Shomron, , no stranger to the effort and cause of resettling our homeland, and regarded with esteem in many circles, both in Israel and among the “Choir” outside. The audience was not large, but made varied in religion, religious observance and political views.

My heart was warmed by her talk regarding our world in Yehuda and Shomron, as I know and live in the same world as she does. The talk ended and it was time for questions - the honeymoon was over. Obviously there were the questions from the “choir” which were answered with love and caring, but then came the questions by those whose views had already been hijacked by the “haters” among us. This is where ignorance and arrogance reigned - on both sides.

Many of our “representatives” who speak outside of the country are simply residents, “machers”, activists - they speak with the zeal and love of a land and people that continues to be the flames in our hearts. They represent strength and dedication and they are responsible for having set in motion the wonderful path we are on today in our country.

What many of them do not know is the other side. How do the Arabs think? How does the Left think and why? And the problem which I immediately saw – what do the young non-observant or non-affiliated Jews of the US think?

Simple questions were raised regarding “Palestinian” rights to land, treatment at roadblocks, polarization in Israeli society (raised by an Israeli), and of course the “A” word- apartheid.

Each question raised or each critique of Israel posed to the speaker could have been easily answered with just a bit of knowledge regarding Arab history and a bit of knowledge regarding the present “PA” authority.

Instead I heard how “well we and the Arabs got along”, “how the Arabs really want us there”, and comparisons to pre-Oslo/post-Oslo conditions.

Many speakers from Israel, and for that matter our own PR from the foreign ministry often dismiss our enemy’s rhetoric, and say, “who cares what they say, we know the truth”. Well, they and everybody who speaks, better start caring what they say because our ignoring of this subject has lead us down a path that is quite difficult today. Time to learn what the other side says and give it right back to them, with both barrels!

I will not write an article defending each of the issues, mostly because of a lack of writing ability and I, too need to learn more.

I would like to mention a few points - every place in the world has its problems and citizens ALL throughout the world have issues with security and or police policies. We are no worse than anywhere else – in fact, we are better, much better in Israel than most. Yes, basic human rights do get violated at roadblocks, not always, but it does happen and you know what, thank G-d. That is the way terror is prevented. We have to ask ourselves, or ask those that critique us, how far they would go to protect there families, what would they do to protect their children from harm? Would they infringe on someone else’s rights, yes they would and in a big way. I would suggest these “critics” check out their own local police station or US armed forces before they yell at Israel.

It bothers me that those who critique and enjoy a safe and secure life take no part in the effort nor understand the sacrifices being made so that they can enjoy their “latte” in the morning.

Regarding how well we get along - well we really do not get along very well anymore. In the past, we did but today is a totally different story. One of the true crimes of Oslo is simply that we were on our way to and increasing peaceful existence with the Arabs of Judea and Samaria. These are not my words or thoughts, the Arab leadership in Judea and Samaria at the time warned the Israeli government of the mistake of “dealing” with Arafat. Where as this is known amongst the negotiators of the time, my own source for this statement was discussions with the village leadership from my own region of Shilo. I still remember the “fire-fights” between the Arafat factions and the local leadership of the area. Israel made sure that Arafat would be victorious, after all, since we allowed them to bring their weapons with them and when that wasn’t enough, Shimon Peres made sure they had more.

Last, but not least, the “A” word. I agree with those that say there is Apartheid in Israel for as long as Jews cannot live in Hevron, Nablus or anywhere in the Land of Israel based on religious discrimination, there is Apartheid. Sorry if I offended any of you who think different. Israel is a Jewish country so, therefore, Jews should be able to live wherever they like.

The point is that no one is perfect, not even Israel, and not even we who live in Judea and Samaria. But we are doing a damn good job - better than EVERYONE who might find themselves in the same position that we have been since our re-birth as a country.

So my advice to any of our speakers who go overseas to speak - learn a little more about what is going on around you; learn about both sides and you will be much prouder than ever and you will be able to disarm our enemies and defend our people more than ever.

Over Confident

In President Obama’s recent interview to Time magazine, many media outlets translated the Presidents feelings to that he felt “over confident” regarding the Middle East Peace Process. I don’t think I would use the word “over confident”, I would change it to ”wrong”.

A quote from the article - “I think it is absolutely true that what we did this year didn't produce the kind of breakthrough that we wanted, and if we had anticipated some of these political problems on both sides earlier, we might not have raised expectations as high”.

I think I would translate this as “ we failed because we didn’t study the conflict and history of the region, furthermore we have no idea or understanding regarding the Arab world”.

I do not blame the President for these mistakes, after all he hires “experts” to delve into this arena. Of course this team of “experts” he is working with have one of the worst records regarding Israel since the rebirth of the Jewish State. Maybe the fact that they are not objective, or are straight out supporters of the Arab nations has something to do with it, or maybe their negative attitude towards Israel? Wait, I could be wrong, he did hire these guys, so I guess I do blame him. But he can still make things right and hire people who do understand.

Or maybe they just have it all wrong. George Mitchell, the champion of North Ireland, maybe he doesn’t realize that there is a different dynamic here in Israel. Hey George, WAKE UP! The Arabs have been against the Jews here for a LONG time…even before the State of Israel, way before. Maybe the problem is that they constantly want to destroy us? No this is not paranoia, it is an opinion based on historical facts and COMMON KNOWLEDGE! I know George is not that ignorant, he knows all about our history here. I want to know why does he hate Israel so much, did a Zionist bite him when he was young?

The biggest joke is that people still think that a “Palestinian State”, (forgive me for the inaccuracy of terms), will bring about peace to the region. The Arab nations of this region have been at each other’s throats forever and they will continue to be. In 1948, they attempted to carve up this region, they all promised the locals here of Arab victory if they would join in and fight the Jews, they called it “Fez’a” or reign of terror, basically the so-called innocent Arab villages in and around the fledgling State attacked Jews where ever they could. The Arabs call the result of 1948 war “Naq’ba”, or catastrophe, I call it defeat. They have been at war with us here since we have been in this land and when the Jewish State and Army were reborn they all attacked, they lost, and they have been crying “foul” ever since.

One of the key words to success of this process was “Gestures”, of course Israel is to blame that we do not make enough or “Bold” gestures. Who has been doing the shooting and bombings here? Who are the Professors of Terror, whose media and scholastic programs preach murder and death? What the hell is wrong with you all, you want bold gestures, you want peace? Stop the teaching of terror in the Schools!

That and other simple moves towards peace you will not get from most of the Arabs in the Middle East, because the concept of living with a Jewish State in their midst is not acceptable. Equality, mutual respect, women’s rights, religious tolerance and a whole slew of other nice values that exist in Western Culture do not reign here in this part of the world. Why do you think so many Arabs leave the Middle East?

My message to the US administration and all those who think that Israel should abandon it’s heartland is - go back to the drawing board, study history, do more research, and we’ll talk soon. You want Peace in the region, guess what, so do we, and more than anyone, but we must survive and must protect our people, not just for another few years, but also for future generations.

So if you want peace also, get real, we are here to stay.

Defrosted

The freeze is on, new construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron has come to a virtual standstill. For accuracy sake, buildings that were started or pre approved for the most part are going up, depending on the whim of the Defense Minister and his understanding or lack of understanding of this biased policy.

This ethnic icebox runs true with its allies, apartheid and racism. You see this is all one-sided, my Arab neighbors across the valley have jumped on the building band wagon and have increased all of their building efforts, full throttle ahead. Increases in budgets from abroad for the Arab residents of Yehuda and Shomron, both from foreign Governments and individuals flow fast like white water rapids. They are not stupid, they realize the Jews have slowed down, now is the time to move, and that is exactly what they are doing.

I don’t have a problem with their building - I have a problem with the clear cut limits and prejudice against the Jewish population of this region. It is quite obvious there are “witch” hunts going on against the “National Religious” community of Yehuda, Shomron and Jerusalem. Property deeds that we sign on apparently are not worth the paper they are written on. Property deeds that Jews have held for years are questioned while Arab squatters are treated like dignitaries, sometimes I wonder where we are living, in which century and… under whose rule? Our basic rights are being violated by our own people, but you know what, I know why. Despite the frustration and anger that I share with millions of Jews around the world about how we are being trounced upon, and how we are being backed into a corner, (mind you, only we are to blame), there is a good side to this also, even though it is hard to see.

Its in all the papers, you know, how the US administration is against us, how they are siding with the Arabs and so on, how the Israeli government, lacking a strong back bone is bending to the whims of our enemies, and “friends”. Its amazing the amount of sound advice that is written and spoken, yet it falls on deaf ears, so reminiscent to Pharaohs’ heart being hardened and not heeding advice that he knew would save him and his people from destruction.

Our adversaries here in Israel must now travel outside of Israel to recruit forces, for their reserves here have dwindled and will soon be no more. Money is collected from governments and groups outside of Israel to pay stooges here in Israel to come out and demonstrate, riot and catch the eye of any mediocre cameraman or reporter hoping to get a byline or film credit.

Civil Disobedience has now become show business, meticulously timed and financed with its actors paid and heartless.

The popular explanation to the Israeli governments folly is stated (loosely translated) “what you see from here, you don’t see from there”, basically that those in the helm (or Chelm) understand the situation differently and act accordingly…fine, if you say so, but I reserve the right to disagree. I remember Arik Sharon saying the same thing regarding the expulsion from Gaza, and I see the wonderful reality we have there today.

Well there is change in the air, we are growing and getting stronger. Where this is a source of strength and pride to many of us, it strikes fear and dread into the hearts of our enemies and those of our own people who fear themselves, which explains the near suicidal behavior of some of our ministers and “leaders”.

The turning of a tanker or a battle ship in a small body of water is an arduous task. It takes many small tugboats to nudge it, guide it and push it to its new direction. It sometimes might even seem that turning such a large vessel in a small body of water is impossible, yet it does happen. Through small maneuvers and efforts from all directions - all with a similar goal in mind – we eventually see the ship begin to turn. The massive effort and ultimate achievement is usually only noticed by those who witness it from close by.

Such are things in Israel today. Small maneuvers and many efforts are at hand, trying to plot a new direction and put the ship back on course. More and more “tugs” are joining in everyday. At first many weren’t sure of the direction, but it is becoming clearer as every new day passes.

Words, ideas, dreams and action are joining forces, as our “ship” begins to turn. More and more articles are written, more ideas are expressed and more opinions are being voiced, all pointing towards the same direction, all lifting their eyes towards the hills of our heartland, our history, heritage and our hearts.

We see subtle changes in the most unexpected places. Media strongholds, once fortresses of the absurd, are opening their eyes to the farce that stands before them. Israeli comedians, who once laughed at the devoted, now laugh at true satires and court jesters, getting their new material by observing the Israeli “left” and European circus.

An army of writers, thinkers, bloggers and reporters continues to surface and unsheathe their words and thoughts, shedding truth that has been hidden for too long, as their ideas pierce the armor of ignorance of our foes, those against a Jewish land. Even the scent of justice lies right around the corner, in reach, soon to return to us.

Side by side, we see another army of people making these words, ideas and thoughts into a source of strength for all of us. Taking dreams and giving them body, taking seeds and planting them, this army grows day by day. Despite any freeze in the air, the fire that burns within them provides light and warmth.

We are seeing and living the reemergence of spirit, of clear thought, of a strong people.

We are home in our land.

That which we call a Rose…

US Transportation Security is back in the headlines. President Obama has stepped into the arena and he is swinging, “unacceptable” failures - as he put it, and he vows to change that. The headlines are full of TSA (Transportation Security Agency) “failures” and Intelligence Agency “failures”. According to the media, approximately the entire system does not seem to be working. Screening equipment that has raised privacy questions in the past is being reviewed again, the “List” of possible threats is being reviewed and updated, and it doesn’t stop there.

The Politically Incorrect word of the day is “Profiling.” Recently there was a quasi demonstration against El Al in South Africa. Their gripe: El Al uses profiling, which is unacceptable to the South Africans.

Not surprisingly, almost anytime Israeli security is mentioned in the media, there is someone out there that brings up how “bad and evil” the Israelis are. The security at Ben Gurion Airport has been cited over and over again as arguably the best in the world and El Al security policies are being re-examined once again. Israel has lived with the threat of terrorism since its creation; due to lack of choice, the Israeli security apparatus has had to excel in all fields, always a step ahead of the game.

For all of those that like to demonstrate against security methods used by Israel which are now being adopted by other countries, here are a few thoughts for you.

In the “enlightened” world, profiling is a no-no. The latest statements are that there will be more measures taken to secure flights coming out of certain regions, i.e. most of the Arab countries; European and Canadian airports will be making extra efforts and will be adding new procedures and processes to the security assessment of passengers traveling to the United States. The full body scan is being reintroduced, as is closer screening on passengers.

This is very impressive. Very. Impressive. Indeed.

Let us take a look at this “terror” alert and scare, shall we? Extreme Islam is the agreed upon threat, with Al Qaeda as its flagship. Who makes up Al Qaeda and Extreme Islam? Drum roll, please… You got it, Muslims. This means security personnel will be paying a lot more attention to Muslim passengers, especially if they come from Arab countries. Of course, they “might” pull out 20 passengers from various backgrounds, but we all know who they are really looking at, and it is not Sister Mary Frances.

The fact is that “Profiling” is and has been used forever in the security world and it will continue to be used. “Randomly selecting” a nun over someone who fits the “profile” is more than silly. It’s laughable. After all, what are we trying to achieve? Safety, an uneventful trip, and getting back to our families in one piece.

The fact is that the Islamic world has produced more terrorists than any other group, and this reality comes with consequences. This is not racism, not apartheid. This is pure, common-sense security, whose only goal is to protect. And we “apologize” that our job translates to what others view as “mean.” This is not an easy or sensitive world – we are concerned about people’s lives.

I am sure there will be those that will shout “Privacy rights,” “Racism,” and so on. But I think the majority of the traveling public will agree that a safe, uneventful trip is far more important to them then hurting someone’s feelings or offending people who look the part.

It should be known, that the security agencies of the United States have great people working for them, they need to be allowed to work and succeed. Of course they need to be under control, and sensitivities must be monitored, but never at the cost of the lives of innocent people.

The TSA should be hiring talented and skilled people; it should not be an alternative to Welfare. The Department of Homeland Security should realize that Political Correctness is not part of the equation: the only factor is keeping travelers safe, and most importantly, alive.

Call it what you may: screening, increased security, even profiling. Whatever you choose, I conclude as I began “that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.”