In Appreciation

[Jim Page]

I can only hope that these events last week can cause us to look through the proper end of the telescope when it comes to terrorist acts. Because as Americans we shy away from categorizing people, it makes us uncomfortable to look at folks based upon certain factors. And I'm glad we are uncomfortable with that; it keeps us from going overboard with the concept.

But instead of requiring background checks on every person who buys a pressure cooker or a sack of ball bearings, my feeling is that we need to focus a closer eye on those whose beliefs are in potentially violent conflict with the rights and beliefs of others. The brothers who committed those acts of terror last week were fairly vocal, both online and in person, concerning their beliefs for quite some time.

We need to look at this paradigm in a way that prevents these outrages. I'm not in favor of racial or religious profiling, but I'm very much in favor of scrutinizing those with beliefs they feel justify killing those who disagree. And we should be uncomfortable doing that; it will keep us from going too far. Confiscating Granny's bottle of Listerine at the airport will not make us safer. Keeping a closer eye on someone who calls for a violent act in the name of whatever they believe in might.

--Jim