It has been more than eight years since the terrorist attacks on the World Towers in New York City. Since then, there have been several other attacks by terrorists attempting to use the airlines to destroy property and kill US citizens. So what have we learned during this time?
Let’s see. We have created some new government agencies and departments, we have hired more government employees, we have increased the presence of airport security personnel, we now have to remove our shoes, belt and jackets as part of the screening process, we cannot carry on more than a few ounces of a variety of cosmetics, toiletries, water, etc. and on and on. Based on the most recent attack on flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, it would appear that we really haven’t learned much. What we do is continue to put band aid fixes on the effect. The most recent attempt shows that we are not focused on the cause. How is it that someone already on a watch list, whose own father alerted US authorities, who purchases a one way ticket, and the purchase is made with cash even gets to board a flight to the US?
The lesson to be learned is pretty simple — we need to become proactive in our efforts to thwart terrorist attacks instead of reacting to the latest threat on a piecemeal basis. We also to to recognize that the terrorists are not going to stop trying! The question is how do we stop them before they succeed again?
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