Terrorism necessitates higher states of scrutiny

We have a big problem. We don't want to be in the position of rounding up people like we did with Japanese Americans at the outbreak of WWII, but, terrorism is a different situation.

We know the profile of terrorists, where they come from, organizations to which they belong, with whom they are affiliated. We own our borders and can be much more careful about who enters the country and what they do here.

Not in my book.

When politicians and government officials say that terrorism is a threat to our system of government and values, they also mean that the threat may degrade our freedom in pursuit of protection.

Possibly adventure plays a part?

I always respect your views and values Rhonda, now let's consider them.

1. In my view, I think that Americans should take responsibility for their contribution to conditions that create war and terrorism that begin with over consumption of the world's scarce resources. While we do this through global commerce, we have historically used military might to exact what we want at the expense of local populations. We are often aligned with governments and leaders that are contrary to our values, and the contradiction is patently obvious to everyone, therefore irreconcilable.

2. I don't think that you will have to worry one bit in Ticonderoga New York unless there is a jihad festering down the street at the local mosque. Yes indeed, the laws have changed affording more power to the government to inspect and control the traveling public for the sake of safety for which the need is obvious with the collapse of the World Trade Towers and such.

Babelfish suggested that the FBI and CIA were probably tracking the Northern VA student travelers and may have tipped off the Pakistan government as to there whereabouts. That is plausible and desirable since they were meeting with a known terrorist and had supporting evidence of their intentions to participate in activities counter to American interests.

I always respect your views and values Rhonda, now let's consider them.

1. In my view, I think that Americans should take responsibility for their contribution to conditions that create war and terrorism that begin with over consumption of the world's scarce resources. While we do this through global commerce, we have historically used military might to exact what we want at the expense of local populations. We are often aligned with governments and leaders that are contrary to our values, and the contradiction is patently obvious to everyone, therefore irreconcilable.

2. I don't think that you will have to worry one bit in Ticonderoga New York unless there is a jihad festering down the street at the local mosque. Yes indeed, the laws have changed affording more power to the government to inspect and control the traveling public for the sake of safety for which the need is obvious with the collapse of the World Trade Towers and such.

Babelfish suggested that the FBI and CIA were probably tracking the Northern VA student travelers and may have tipped off the Pakistan government as to their whereabouts. That is plausible and desirable since they were meeting with a known terrorist and had supporting evidence of their intentions to participate in activities counter to American interests.