Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson has a few things to say about his work on the 9/11 Commission and the current state of America’s defenses against terrorism. “Our credit card companies know more about us than the government does,” Thompson told the AP. “We ought to grow up and say hey, we’re facing the kind of threat in America we have never, ever faced before. We have to adopt measures we have never, ever considered before.” Like ditching our Constitutional rights? Didn’t we already do that? And here’s something Thompson and his fellow commissars never mentioned: civilian gun ownership . . .
Thompson also said that the nation remains vulnerable to “lone wolf” terrorists who act on their own, sharing their plans for an attack with no one — and therefore beyond the reach of being detected by the nation’s intelligence-gathering agencies beefed up after 9/11.
“The lone wolf operative, a single person, radicalized by what they see on the Internet or hear at mosques, is going to be a greater threat to the U.S. today than on 9/11,” he said.
Huh. So our defense against terrorists rests entirely in the hands of our nation’s intelligence gathering agencies? God help us. Or, more to the point, God helps them who helps themselves.
I know: civilians are not known for their ability to stop terrorist attacks. But it does happen. To wit this via homelandsecurity.org:
The vigilance of the Israeli public plays a key role in preventing terrorism. According to security experts, the average Israeli is highly aware of suspicious packages, individuals, and actions that could pose a threat to public safety and does not hesitate to notify the police. As a result, ordinary citizens foil more than 80% of attempted terrorist attacks in Israel, including time bombs left by terrorists.
Dr. Jonathan B. Tucker almost gets it. Unlike Americans (no more than a percent or two carry a concealed weapon), a high percentage of Israelis are armed. They’re ready, willing and able to engage terrorists when needs be, at the sharp end. A perfect case in point, the Mercaz HaRav Massacre [above], where an armed student ended a terrorist attack.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with dialing 911—and waiting 15 minutes. Or more. Wondering which SWAT team they’ll send, and how long it will take them to get authorization to respond with lethal force. Hint: WE are the first responders.
Anyway, if and when terrorists start attacking the American heartland, the American heartland will tool up and deal. But it would be nice if our government would acknowledge and encourage the civilian concealed carry component of our mutual defense BEFORE blood’s shed. Yes, even in Illinois.