| What are we trying to secure (physically) in the | | | | ~Terrorist Attacks |
| homeland? | | | | After examining what Homeland Security should be, |
| ~Borders | | | | regardless of foreign or domestic threats, we must |
| When it comes to physically securing our borders in | | | | take a moment to review what brought about our |
| the United States, we must have a systemwith clear | | | | Country's newfound interest in 'Homeland Security' in |
| and measurable goals. This system must be | | | | the first place. In short, The U.S. Department of |
| monitored, and must be updated basedupon the | | | | Homeland Security was enacted as a reactionary |
| results in obtaining these goals over time. Since the | | | | measure in response to the events of September |
| materials required for causing anytype of terrorist | | | | 11th, 2001. This measure was shortsighted, and |
| attack clearly already exist within the physical borders | | | | provided no effective methods of eliminating the |
| of the United States, whatwe must primarily be | | | | original problem, namely terrorist attacks on domestic |
| concerned with are the agents of these attacks. | | | | soil. There is an answer to this problem, if you look |
| These individuals must beprevented from entering | | | | for it. As a citizen of New York City, I eventually |
| our country for 'Homeland Security' to function. Can | | | | saw through the anger I felt that day and found the |
| we create a systemthat is capable of preventing | | | | answer by dissecting the problem. I understand how |
| 'terrorists' from entering our country? It is the opinion | | | | difficult it can be to realize that the policies of your |
| of this authorthat we cannot, nor can any nation. For | | | | own country can be so wrong. I will tell you what I |
| one thing, the United States of America is not | | | | have learned. The first problem in the prescription of |
| physicallycontiguous. Any theoretical system for | | | | 'Homeland Security' for this national malady, is that it |
| protecting the continental U.S. in this capacity could | | | | treats the 'healthy' cells of the system with medicine, |
| notphysically protect Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or | | | | instead of targeting the 'unhealthy' cells. The 'healthy' |
| the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, 'United States Land' | | | | cells of this system are the American citizens, and in |
| exists within every foreign country on earth in the | | | | this case the medicine is bad. Restricting and |
| form of United States Embassies and military vessels | | | | eliminating citizens rights, as has been done under the |
| at sea. Further than the security already in place in | | | | Patriot Act and others like it, is not disabling terrorists. |
| these facilities, nothing canbe done to prevent | | | | It cannot do this, the technique is incapable of such |
| terrorist attacks on their physical structure from the | | | | results. |
| outside (foreign soil or waters). | | | | The 'unhealthy' cells of the system, the 'terrorists' are |
| Looking at the border between the United States | | | | a national malady, and like a physical illness, they are a |
| and Mexico only, it is easy to see that the United | | | | signal to our collective brain that something is wrong |
| States is a long way from absolute security. This | | | | with one of our systems. Once we have recognized |
| border is the most heavily patrolled border to the | | | | this malady, it must be diagnosed for what it is. What |
| United States, and yet illegal immigration occurs along | | | | are terrorists? It is the opinion of this author, as a |
| this border every single day of the calendar year | | | | human being, that a terrorist is: a human being who is |
| .The Canadian border is easily crossed in many places | | | | without representation, under siege, and out of |
| without scrutiny. In addition vessels freely pass into | | | | options. Further, they are willing to die or inflict death |
| and out of harbors on our eastern and western | | | | upon other human beings to amend their plight. As |
| coasts. Finally, any nation that wanted to send in a | | | | diagnosed, this malady can be treated. It's causes can |
| small force of attackers could easily do so legally | | | | be removed. America, as a country, instead of |
| through the use of diplomatic appointments. | | | | creating a federal department to perform espionage |
| It is the opinion of this author, that the best way to | | | | on it's own, can: provide representation to, withdraw |
| secure our homeland against terrorists, is to make it | | | | siege, and provide options to terrorists. Further, |
| impossible for them to exist within our country | | | | America is obligated to do these things. It is not just |
| outside of the mainstream. This can be accomplished | | | | the policy of our republic, it is the reason that we |
| simply by enforcing laws already in place that require | | | | were once looked up to by other nations. It can be |
| businesses to hire U.S. citizens, and to prove that | | | | that reason again. |
| they do so. By making it impossible for anyone to live | | | | -How can this best be accomplished? |
| in America for any significant length of time without | | | | ~Altering US Foreign Policy Towards Iraq |
| integrating into the citizenship (and becoming an | | | | As of the date of this publication (January 2006), the |
| interestedparty in the safety of the United States), it | | | | United States currently occupies a foreign sovereign |
| will become impossible for anyone to dedicate the | | | | nation, called Iraq. In response to this occupation, |
| time and resources needed to carry out a terrorist | | | | Iraqi nationals have undertaken a resistance |
| attack on a large scale without becoming a United | | | | movement and have enlisted foreign aid. The current |
| States citizen and subjecting themselves to the rule | | | | executive administration in the United States has |
| of our laws. Once a person is a citizen and subject to | | | | consistently labeled this group 'terrorists'. It is the |
| our laws, they cease being a 'terrorist' and become a | | | | personal opinion of this author that there is a |
| 'criminal', prosecutable under the law. Current | | | | difference between a terrorist and a revolutionary |
| immigration laws allow for exceptions, (in the form of | | | | for independence (I believe our founding fathers |
| Student Visas, and diplomatic authority)and these | | | | would agree with this assessment), however this |
| exceptions should be dutifully monitored by the | | | | view aside, altering US foreign policy towards the |
| Department of Homeland Security, if this office is to | | | | sovereign nation of Iraq by the immediate |
| have any responsibility at all outside of oversight. Let | | | | stand-down and withdrawal of United States military |
| it be clearly stated that it is the responsibility of the | | | | personnel within Iraq's borders would effect the |
| United States of America,as outlined in; our | | | | immediate stand-down and withdrawal ofthis group |
| Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of | | | | of 'terrorists'. This action would necessitate this |
| Independence, to allow citizenship topersons | | | | consequence because it would remove the 'cause' |
| regardless of their race or religion. It is our creed to | | | | for the resistance movement. Further, it would allow |
| take in those in need of help and shelter, and to | | | | the resistance leaders to resume their peace-time |
| allow them a chance at a new life within our system | | | | posts as politicians, as our founding fathers once did |
| of Government. If we weigh these important ideas in | | | | after the close of the Revolutionary War against |
| our decision making process in establishing and | | | | England. The British had the wisdom then to |
| enforcing Homeland Security within our borders,and | | | | recognize our founding fathers for what they were, |
| we discontinue our attempts to manipulate | | | | further the British had the courage to respect us by |
| governance outside of our borders, physical security | | | | allowing us our independence. Surely within the |
| of our homeland might then be assured. | | | | leadership of our government there must be such |
| ~Safety of Citizens | | | | wisdom and courage today. |
| As citizens of the United States, we realize that it is | | | | ~Altering US Foreign Policy Towards The United Arab |
| impossible for our Government to completely assure | | | | Emirates |
| our physical safety at all times. Car accidents, natural | | | | It has been noted by news outlets throughout the |
| disasters, etc. will continue to provide dangers to the | | | | globe, that funding and sponsorship of terrorist |
| citizenry at large. We do, however, expect our | | | | activities againstthe United States of America has |
| Government to assure us against thethreat of attack | | | | been provided by several if not all of the sovereign |
| from foreign nations, and from the corruption of our | | | | nations of the United Arab |
| rights as citizens. In this light, we expect to have a | | | | Emirates. The only way to find out why is to ask |
| strong military, capable of the defense of our nation | | | | these nations. The response has been not only clear, |
| and prepared to do so. We also must expect for our | | | | butunchanged and resounding. The response has |
| military not to be used in an offensive capacity, as | | | | been the same since before September of 2001. The |
| such use will no doubtresult in military retaliation, and | | | | United Arab Emirates seek an end to the foreign |
| thereby endanger the homeland. We must further | | | | occupation of their land by the United States. These |
| expect our military to be prepared to offer domestic | | | | nations resent our attempts at establishing |
| and foreign aid. Domestically, this will allow our nation | | | | democratic capitalist environments on their soil. As |
| the ability to quickly and effectively recover from | | | | Sovereign Nations, independent of the United States, |
| events such as those occurring on September 11, | | | | these countries are entitled to this belief, and further |
| 2001, orduring the destruction caused by hurricanes; | | | | have been tasked with the defense of |
| Katrina and Rita. Abroad, offering such assistance will | | | | Their soil. The United States should recognize such |
| encourage the peaceful cooperation of our military | | | | policies as valid, and respect them. If in the future, |
| and administration with those around the globe. | | | | democracyrises from within on of these Emirates, |
| All of us would rather our soldiers met on fields of | | | | the United States may then recognize it and assist it |
| peace as opposed to fields of war. If war is | | | | towards capitalism anddemocratic independence. We |
| necessary,it should only be in the defense of the | | | | cannot seek to institute this policy upon a nation, |
| rights of the citizens of our nation. Such a war should | | | | however, for this would violatesaid nation's |
| not necessitate that our citizens waive those rights, | | | | sovereignty, and in so doing would violate our own |
| even temporarily. This would be an affront to our | | | | Constitution's directives and regulations. As a nation, |
| safety and more importantly our freedom. The so | | | | the United States has recognized and incorporated |
| called "Patriot Act" should be dismissed as such an | | | | Arab citizens into our system of government and life. |
| affront. | | | | It is now our responsibility as a nation to honor those |
| ~Continuity of Government | | | | citizens' homeland, and treat them with the same |
| The continuity of the system of government in the | | | | respectand sovereignty that we now extend to our |
| United States of America has been guaranteed for | | | | allies around the globe. Only this policy will create a |
| the duration of the existence of the citizens within | | | | lasting peacebetween our nations. |
| this union, and does not require a Department of | | | | ~Altering US Foreign Policy Towards Africa |
| Homeland Security to assure it. Not only have | | | | While respecting the sovereignty of other nations, |
| physical measures been taken to ensure the | | | | the United States is also responsible for safeguarding |
| continued existence of our government (such as | | | | the humanrights of citizens worldwide, through it's |
| NORAD, and other subterranean facilities), but the | | | | participation with the United Nations. In Africa, human |
| union itself guarantees this. The | | | | rights violations arebeing committed constantly, one |
| United States of America is a democracy, the laws | | | | example of this is the genocide in the Congo. One |
| within it and the governance of such laws are | | | | possible goal of a terrorist typeattack against our |
| subject to the collective will of it's citizens. Because | | | | country would be to prompt action by the United |
| of this, our union's governance will always reflect the | | | | States in regulating these violations. If Americashould |
| collective will of it's citizens, regardless of attacks | | | | reconstitute it's interest in protecting human rights |
| against the homeland from abroad. The citizens of | | | | worldwide and honor it's agreement with the United |
| this democracy therefore have the ultimate | | | | Nationsto do so, this aspect of Terror Attacks should |
| responsibility to ensure that their government is | | | | never come to fruition. Sadly, as it stands today, this |
| providing them with theirconstitutional rights, and to | | | | is a viable threat,and should be addressed |
| repel such laws and actions as would seek to restrict | | | | preemptively by honoring our U.N. obligations. |
| these rights coming from the government itself. | | | | ~Altering US Foreign Policy Towards Asia |
| Under the second Amendment to the U.S. | | | | The United States currently has a favorable foreign |
| Constitution, citizens are given the right to bear arms | | | | policy regarding about half of Asia. There is absolutely |
| in the defense of our constitutional freedoms should | | | | no reasonthat China, India, and North Korea cannot |
| legal opposition prove effective. | | | | also receive such policy considerations. The United |
| ~Ability of Government to Enforce the Constitution | | | | Nations has beenestablished to allow our countries |
| One thing that the events of September the 11th | | | | the opportunity to broker such policies. In regards to |
| failed to influence, is the ability of the U.S. | | | | the nuclear weapons concernssubmitted by many |
| Government toenforce the Constitution. The | | | | members of Congress, one need only examine our |
| Constitution is still the law of our land, and this author | | | | current relationships with Japan and Great Britainto |
| submits that it will remainso as long as the citizens of | | | | see that Nations with nuclear defense capabilities |
| this nation will it so. Neither foreign attack, nor | | | | need not necessarily be enemies of the United |
| domestic terrorism has the powerto re-write the | | | | States, even if said Nationhas been a declared enemy |
| laws of our country. As long as the citizens give the | | | | of the United States in the past. Neither China, India, |
| government this power, the constitutionwill be | | | | nor North Korea has attacked the United |
| enforced. | | | | States, nor have any of these Nations attacked any |
| ____________________________ | | | | of our allies. Considering them hostile at this point in |
| What are we trying to secure (legally) in the | | | | unfounded,regardless of their system of government |
| homeland? | | | | or defense capabilities. Until any Nation does exhibit |
| ~Rights of Citizens | | | | an act of war upon the U.S. or it's allies, said Nation |
| It is interesting to me, that in considering how best | | | | should be treated fairly in regards to trade and |
| to prevent further terror attacks, the current | | | | commerce, United Nations Trade |
| administrationhas decided to restrict (read: remove) | | | | Embargoesnotwithstanding. This would appear to be |
| the rights of citizens. Citizens' rights are indeed what | | | | the 'American Way' as it reminds one of how |
| the governmenthas been tasked with protecting. The | | | | accused citizens in this countryare to be treated prior |
| Constitution spells this out clearly in it's first three | | | | to a crime being proven. |
| articles. Restrictingthese rights is not permitted under | | | | ~Altering US Foreign Policy Towards Our Allies |
| the laws of our country. The Legislative Branch is not | | | | In reviewing the policies extended towards our allies |
| authorized to makelaws restricting Citizens rights, nor | | | | over the past five years, a few items stick out as |
| can the Judicial Branch recognize such laws in | | | | obvious mistakes. |
| congruence with the | | | | The United States has disavowed its obligation to the |
| Constitution. Finally, the Executive Branch is strictly | | | | United Nations by launching a pre-emptive and |
| limited in it's power to those tasks set forth in Article | | | | unsupported waragainst the sovereign nation of Iraq. |
| II. | | | | The Executive Branch of the United States actually |
| In summary, Legally, the Rights of Citizens are | | | | disavowed it's obligation to the |
| assured under the U.S. Constitution, and have been | | | | Legislative Branch of the United States, in launching |
| for over twohundred years. All laws , including the | | | | this war without returning to the United Nations for |
| Patriot Act, which seek to restrict citizens rights are | | | | approval, as wasauthorized by Congress. As a result |
| therefore unconstitutionaland can not be recognized | | | | of this mistake, many of our allies have since waned |
| by the Judicial Branch of the Federal Government. | | | | in their support for U.S. Foreign |
| Nor should these laws be recognizedby the citizens | | | | Policy. Our treatment of these countries has been |
| of the United States of America. | | | | appalling since. Spearheading the U.S. response was an |
| ~Representative Government | | | | entire politicalcampaign directed against France. In the |
| Also untouched has been our right to representation | | | | future, this author recommends listening to our allies |
| in our government. Every State is still entitled to it's | | | | when they try to point out our mistakes. The U.S. |
| federaland state legislative representatives. This | | | | does make mistakes, and it is the responsibility of our |
| system cannot be changed through violence short of | | | | allies to assist us in recognizing when we have done |
| the completedestruction of our union. The Homeland | | | | so. In my personal experience, disregarded friends |
| Security department has no authority to continue or | | | | (especially those offering aid) are friends no more. I |
| discontinue the systemof representation currently in | | | | have observed that relations among countries seem |
| place. This power is reserved for the people, through | | | | to follow this logic. Losing allies is preventable, and it is |
| their legislative representatives. | | | | our responsibility as a nation, concerned with our own |
| ____________________________ | | | | security, to see that this loss is prevented. |
| What are we trying to prevent from happening in | | | | -Nathan Morrisoncopywrite January This article may |
| the homeland? | | | | be reprinted free of charge. |