In the rush to “do something” following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, far too many Americans already seem all too willing to give up their most basic freedoms and liberties for some perceived security.
Some in the Bush administration including – disappointingly – Attorney General John Ashcroft believe our new war on terrorism means they will have to strip Americans of basic constitutional protections in order to better provide that security.
I say they’re wrong, but if this authoritarian mindset prevails and deepens, our terrorist enemies have already won this war – even before we fire our first shot in self-defense.
One of the most heinous ideas thus far has been to suggest the implementation of a national ID card. This requirement, which is more akin to fascist, socialist and communist regimes instead of democracies, already appears to be a done deal in Great Britain.
Such knee-jerk legislative or executive branch actions will do nothing to enhance the overall security of the American people. Such reactions will, however, do much to forward the agenda of terrorist madmen who hate our concept of freedom and liberty.
The terrorists who have struck the U.S. (and likely will continue to strike, experts predict) have already been in our country for some time – up to five years in many cases. They are already as much a part of our society as are those of us who were born and raised here. Therefore, forcing them to carry ID cards will be meaningless. But such a measure will be massively invasive to 99.9 percent of the rest of us, who were born and raised Americans.
Also, why should Americans be tempted to trust government bureaucrats and agencies with protecting the information of 285 million people when it cannot even protect its own nuclear weapons secrets?
Then, there is this concern: If a new national ID card does not prevent more terrorist attacks – and they won’t – then will Uncle Sam be willing to admit defeat and then abandon them? Or are we going to be stuck with this mark of the beast forever, just as a way for the government to “keep better track” of us in the future – you know, to “prevent future attacks”?
There is a distinct difference between legitimate security and the illusion of security. National ID cards will provide us with an illusion of security, just as more draconian airport security measures will do. But in a practical sense, such measures will do little to protect us from a determined terroristic foe.
What would ultimately protect Americans from future terrorist attacks? While no one measure or series of measures will make us 100 percent safe 100 percent of the time, there are a few things authorities could and should do to help us help ourselves.
For one thing, all airline pilots ought to be trained and armed, and airliner pilot cabin doors should be made impenetrable.
Draconian restrictions and bans against guns all across this country – but especially in the major cities, which are going to be the most lucrative terrorist targets – should be lifted immediately. Nothing will help deter more attacks than lots of people packing lots of heat – U.S. crime research has proven that this works.
Armed “citizen” patrols should be established in communities to help augment local police and security forces. There is much in this country that needs to be guarded – we have the manpower to do that if we’re brave enough to use it.
A nationwide campaign to help educate Americans about Islamic extremism should be launched immediately. If it’s a war to be fought, then the people have a right to know about their enemy. Such education would be a great motivator as well, and would help keep the war effort alive long enough to see it through.
Finally, needless laws restricting freedoms should be revisited and repealed. Our liberty has been attacked – the best thing lawmakers could do is to repeal any laws that forbid us from practicing our basic rights.
We need to show our enemies that our national instinct following Sept. 11 is not to retreat from freedom, but to embrace and enhance it.
The devils are here
Ben Shapiro