PrintNovember 20, 2010
America: Closed Due to Terrorism
While in Washington, D.C. this week, I strolled up New Jersey Avenue to the Capitol and took note of the various security measures installed to keep the masses away in the name of protection. There are barriers in the roads around the Capitol complex that can be raised and lowered to control traffic flow, but driving is not necessary due to the excellent Metro system.
I asked a friendly Capitol Police officer where I was allowed to go and if I could take pictures. The fact that I felt it necessary to ask speaks volumes to the extent that the Muslim terrorists have driven America into adopting extreme security measures to combat fear. I was told I could take pictures, but could only enter the Capitol through an underground visitor's center after being subjected to security measures similar to an airport. America's government buildings are closed off from the populace in an effort to combat terrorism, resulting in America's government officials being increasingly closed off from ordinary Americans.
Terrorists are successful when their heinous actions terrify the populace. They expect their terror to result in changed policies or regimes in an effort to bargain away the terror component. Of course, this rarely works because the terrorists build on their success to demand further concessions that never end and most governments install increasingly extreme security measures that inconvenience their citizens in the pursuit of elusive security.
A certain measure of security is warranted to protect against the manifested threats imposed upon us by Muslim terrorists. However, I found it sad that a citizen who loves his country was not allowed to visit the Capitol because it was closed.
Tom Roberson is an independent conservative holding finance and engineering degrees doing his small part to save his country. He'd love to hear from you at trobe9@gmail.com.
