Prison America - A Possibility?

    The response to the article was interesting from (a) the horror of such an immoral and uncivilized thought (b) not bad idea, but how will it play out in world opinion or in the creation of a coalition against terrorism? (c) right - on!

    Never before has it become so visible and indisputable that opposition Afghans and our allies have made the present war solely the burden of the human and material assets of the United States.

    Equally, never before has it become so indisputable that the world is horrified that we have unilaterally undertaken and properly determined that we are in the conflict to win a victory over global terrorism. This we intend to do with or without their consent, approval or participation; while making known to them that we will not accept their nonaction against terror.

    In pursuing this approach, we must accept the fact that we cannot consider that availability of a policy of isolation even on the list of possible alternatives. The World Trade Towers clearly demonstrated that exclusion to us. That, however, does not mean that we must consign ourselves and our assets without restrictions while the rest of the world seizes economic benefits and opportunities, summarily executes dissenters within their boundaries while condemning us for lack of due process and/or pursues a course of conduct without rebuff, while allowing terror to go unabated.

    We discovered, to our dismay, that while the Taliban war progresses, Afghan commitment is unenthusiastic and their “loyalty” is fleeting so that yesterday’s enemy can within seconds become today’s fellow freedom fighter. Thus, any assessment of collateral damage becomes a public relations foray and universally reveals the real threat to peace to once again become the omnipresent Satan American.

    Now, we also have the dispute between our “friends” Pakistan and India bordering on the possibility of another war over Kashmir - with 75,000 already dead in that dispute. While both of those nations have nuclear weapons; little, if anything of concern, appears on the front pages or in the words of the purists as to the possibility of a nuclear conflict. Yet, the world seeks to hold its tight reins over America’s possession and use of nuclear weaponry, while, at the same time, assigning the U.S. to resolve Kashmir and preserve the world from nuclear conflict.

    This further compounds itself with an indifference to lost bioweapon and nuclear scientists from the former Soviet Union who have disappeared into Syria, Iraq, Iran and elsewhere. Our commitment to a success of purpose of freeing America from the sole obligation of policing the world’s terrorists seems to drastically unsettle our friends and neighbors.

    Yet, if we fail to stay the course and fail to forcefully respond against such a disquietude, we will accept a policy of disorientation. The logical consequence will result in the imposition of further fear-accepted subjugation upon the American public in the guise of protection of people with the real bottom line being the deferment of citizens rights.

    Is our confidence in our abilities so insecure that we must accept such commands which limit our rights to unfettered legal counsel, or endure Homeland Security responses which replicate, in effect, some of the devious practices of the terrorist nations who seek to destroy America’s culture?

    Uncontrolled Draconian measures sterilize the free and open exchange of diverse ideas - good, bad, mediocre - which have led to the strength of America and to our advance into technological superiority. Straight-jacket our enemies and those who they support or provide for. Straight-jacketing America is not the way to move forward or to secure ourselves.

       Imposing such restrictions will never be the way to fulfill the American way of life. Such restrictions pave the avenue to an American Prison of governmental control of mind and action from which neither we nor our children will be able to escape - unless we prevent it from happening!!!