by Daniel G. O'Leary

Created on: October 19, 2009   Last Updated: April 26, 2010

The question; "Has America gone too far with Anti-Terrorism?" The answer depends upon time and perspective. If the question was asked of me in; 1981 when my fellow Americans were being held captive in Iran, the answer would have been no. In Oct. 1983 when my fellow Americans were blown to pieces in the bombings in Lebanon, the answer would have been no. After a van exploded in the basement parking garage of the World Trade Center, the answer would have been no. After the Federal Building was blown to pieces in Oklahoma, the answer would've been no. After Americans were held hostage while cruising on holiday on the high seas, the answer would have been no. After the planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the hillside in Pennsylvania, the answer would've been no. After the failed plots to kill American servicemen in New York and New Jersey, the answer would've been no. After the failed plot to attack the transit system in New York, the answer would've been no.

Those failed attempts, the ones We (the average citizens) happened to have heard about or read about, plus those that failed that we never heard about, failed as a result of many of the Anti-terrorism measures put into place in response to those acts that were successful (they were reactive).

Time and circumstance has now allowed our Government, those entrusted with the health, safety, and security of "We the People" (from the Constitution), to become proactive, to put into place legal measures for; gathering intelligence, apprehending suspects, arming, marshaling, training, and deploying sufficient troops and agencies to areas of interest for the purpose of protecting American citizens from enemies both foreign and domestic. That major plots were recently foiled / prevented, one within 24 hours of implementation as reported in the papers, proves measures are working.

Let's face a reality, unfortunately terrorism and acts of terror are now things that have to be considered on a daily basis. "Has America gone too far with Anti-terrorism?" No. America must be proactive to battle terrorism. That said, that doesn't mean measures put into place 10 years ago have not out lived their usefulness. Evolution, adaption, creation, termination, all are necessary and vital for success. Let Us never forget, and especially Us in Government Service, that Us is We, and "We the People" have the power to change that which needs to be changed legally. Let there never be any misunderstanding as to how much "We" value Our Freedom nor to what lengths "We" will go to protect it. Let those who enforce the Law always remember, they are not above the law, and "We" are watching.

America is the Land of opportunity, where dreams can and do become a reality. Freedom demands participation. We are all significant and have a part. Shall we begin?

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