MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Editorials

Discussion

September 10, 2008

9/11 — prevention

Take time today to pause and honor the nearly 3,000 people who died and all those who were injured in the Sept. 11 attacks seven years ago.

The passage of time will heal great wounds. But for many of the families of the victims and those physically injured and emotionally affected by the attacks, that day seven years ago is still very close.

Naturally, the possibility of another attack is still on our minds, and today’s anniversary also is a reminder of that fact. Whenever we travel by air, we are especially reminded that we face the possibility of terror.

As we have been cautioned, we can’t let it overwhelm us so that we live each day in fear or paranoia, but according to some, we have yet to take reasonable steps to prevent another Sept. 11.

Partnership for a Secure America released a report Wednesday criticizing some aspects of our terrorism prevention and readiness.

The partnership, which is made up of many people who served on the 9/11 Commission, said that the United States is “dangerously vulnerable” to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks. The group also is critical of the Bush administration, stating that it is still not working with other countries in the battle to prevent bioterrorism.

We don’t doubt that many terror safeguards have yet to be put into place. Some, such as screening all cargo entering this country, are very expensive and time-consuming.

However, opposing international agreements with other countries in battling terrorism, if true of the Bush administration, is not wise. The security of any nation today depends a great deal on security in other countries.

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