Volume II. No. 61
 08-04-04
 Fortress D.C.
 author: Vance Cureton
 © Copyright 2004
   
 Think for a moment. - A president of the United States is in political
 trouble. The polls show that although he is an incumbent, his approval
 rating hovers near a lowly 50%. His rival is a decorated war veteran. 
 And he is not. His rival has just accepted the nomination of his party,
 giving a well received speech as he did so.

 Subsequently, the politically endangered president formulates a plan
 to use the prestige of his office to win the upcoming  election.This 
 includes utilizing the Department of Homeland Security as a political 
 tool.

 Hmmm.... 

 Nightmarish? Perhaps not. But the latest raising of the security threat
 level in Washington, D.C., northern N.J, and New York City, based 
 upon evidence that although recently gathered, could be as much as
 three years old, has people wondering exactly what is going on.

 Are we in the middle of some nightmare scenario where the message 
 is being sent by the present administration that this election is winner 
 takes all, and damn the consequences until after the election. Or are 
 these merely unfortunate coincidences that whenever the democratic
 rival of the current president receives too much favorable press - in 
 comes Homeland Security again, to inadvertently remind all that a 
 competent administration is already in office. 

 This one is for the conspiracy theorists to figure out. But, a question 
 does arise about just exactly what is the public supposed to do long 
 term, now that another level orange threat has been declared. Granted 
 that Usama bin Laden and Al Qaeda has a reputation for taking years 
 to implement a specific terrorist plan. Is the public supposed to live 
 under a virtual state of seige in the above mentioned locations until 
 the November election, and perhaps many months, beyond?

 The cost in manpower is going to be enormous. Who's going to pay 
 for all of these extraordinary security precautions? What about the 
 wear and tear on police vehicles and equipment? Will the increased 
 precautions mean other areas are neglected, and left to the criminals 
 who live and work among us.

 The many terrorist-hardened nations in the Middle East and Europe 
 have long since learned discovered that extra security barriers, foot 
 patrols, and police cars zooming along the streets with sirens and 
 horns at full tilt, are showy, but ineffective methods of stopping 
 determined terrorist assassins. 

 { The terrorists will simply select alternative targets.}

 The answer is to be smart and vigilant in other ways. Our goverment
 would be wise to hire additional border patrol officers in order to better 
 police the border with Mexico, so as to stop the already outrageous
 influx of thousands of undocumented illegals into this country. 
 Tightened security at our major airports would also be a grand idea, 
 and would help ensure that those Muslim fanatics who haven't already 
 breached our borders, stay where they belong. --- Far away from the 
 United States.

 Meanwhile, the residents of the last colony down in Washington, 
 D.C. are having their lack of true "home rule" thrust in their faces. 
 A main thoroughfare near the U.S. Capitol Building is being closed 
 off, and security points set up at other nearby locations. All under the 
 auspices of the law enforcement overseers of the U.S. Capitol Police 
 force. These actions have occurred without the slightest bit of 
 consultation with D.C.'s own elected leaders.

 { the U.S. Capital Police force patrols the D.C. neighborhood 
 known as Capitol Hill, that includes important federal government 
 buildings and residential areas... }

 These are truly strange times. U.S. military forces in Iraq endure 
 roadside bombings, snipers, kidnappings, and an unfriendly, if not 
 downright hostile populace, all in an effort to bring democracy to 
 the so-called cradle of civilization.

 Yet, the residents of Washington D.C. watch as they are disrespected 
 and a vital inner city area is turned into a fortress by a police force
 that in effect answers to no one. Choices are made for D.C. residents.
 -- Not with them.

 Does the present administration care about such a political injustice 
 in their own country? Of course not. Real political respresentation
 for the residents of our Nation's Capital would likely mean more liberal 
 democrats walking the halls of congress.

 Can't have that.
 

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