While listening to ABC This Week, given the primacy of homeland security issues, I was struck by how much Democrats were focused on word games. (I would normally say 'progressives', but Blue Dog Congressman Jane Harman also made related comments.)
I believe that Obama has publicly used the phrase 'War on Terror' only once, early in his administration. The progressive argument is that the use of the phrase is imprecise, that we need to use more "precise" wording, such as a war against Al Qaeda. I have a problem with this conceptual model; first, there are more terrorist organizations than Al Qaeda with anti-American agendas. Second, the War on Terror is hardly more confusing or convoluted than an analogous "war on crime". Distinctive characteristics of terrorism include an ideological (vs. intrinsic or personal) motive and an intentional focus on the perceived or actual threat to the property, health or lives of noncombatants.
What is particularly striking since the progressive administration took power is its emphasis on symbolic versus substantive action. There has been a definite trend--the substitution of euphemistic phrases, like "man-made disasters" or "enemy combatants", an intent to expand the definition to include speculations on alienated right-wing, pro-life or veteran groups, and the decision essentially to confer American legal rights on foreign terrorists and treat them as "criminals" vs. terrorists. I would even argue that Obama's apology tours have contributed, e.g., his use of the term "crusaders" which is often used by radical Islamic groups,
I do not see any productive nature to this indulgent progressive line of discussion. They are obsessed with the approval of foreign socialists and progressives. I assure you that the monsters who murdered almost 3000 innocent people on 9/11 are not mollified by a kinder, gentler rhetoric and have no problems with American partisan camps preoccupied with fighting each other instead of them.
The question of "profiling", e.g., expanded scrutiny of those from groups associated with past incidents of terrorism, is something that investigators do in everyday life. For example, when a husband or wife is found murdered in the home, barring other compelling evidence, the surviving spouse is often a suspect; there can be a variety of reasons, including marital problems. In terms of the Middle East, there could a variety of issues, including training at a radicalized seminary or a pattern of communication with a notorious cleric. I've already pointed out in past posts that the vast majority of Muslims oppose terrorism and in fact the father of the underwear bomber tipped off the Nigerian government, which immediately alerted the CIA. (Is there any question why a father, fearing that his own son might kill himself, would come forward?) There's no doubt that some may use profiling as a blank check, which is morally reprehensible, but we cannot fail to do prudent due diligence simply because an 80-year-old Quaker great-grandmother is not in the same risk group as a young male from Saudi Arabia.
In fact, over the weekend there was an announcement from a senior administration official that passengers originating from 14 relevant nations will be subjected indefinitely to enhanced security searches.
Do Not Let the TSA Go On a Spending Binge for the New "Naked Image" Airport Scanners
There was an interesting note in a British newspaper that the kind of devices that many Democrats have been pushing as a method of filtering out lower-density PETN-type events like the shoe and underwear bombers would not have been effective (and pat downs already may have failed to reveal the same).
Political Cartoon
Remember how Obama assured you only the federal government could contain health care costs and guarantee your medical care? (Of course, he didn't mention that his expansion takes money at the expense of Medicare, which is chronically underfunded and only reimburses doctors and hospitals less than 80 cents on their dollar of costs...) IBD cartoonist Michael Ramirez asks whether given the life-or-death circumstances of NWA Flight 253 despite tips to the government that should have clearly identified and stopped the underwear bomber, you want to risk your own health and life to further federal entanglement in the health care sector, deterring innovation and physician flexibility in dealing with his or her own patients' medical care.
Musical Interlude: My Favorite Remake of a 1930's Hit:
Art Garfunkel "I Only Have Eyes for You"
This is a timeless hit that for years I've always dreamed of singing to my bride if I ever got married. Art Garfunkel's angelic mid-1970's interpretation is so extraordinary, ethereal and effortless that I don't see how I could possibly improve on how Art made the classic his own...
I Only Have Eyes for You
(A. Budin, H. Warren)
My love must be a kind of blind love.
I can't see anyone but you.
Are the stars out tonight?
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright.
I only have eyes for you, dear.
The moon may be high,
But I can't see a thing in the sky.
'Cause I only have eyes for you.
I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue.
You are here, so am I.
Maybe millions of people go by.
But they all disappear from view.
And I only have eyes for you.
