Friends,
Remember when terrorists hijacked some airplanes in the United States on 11th September, 2001 precipitating a series of tragic events that killed a bunch of people? Then you’ll recall that the government overreacted and made air travel more difficult for everyone while also sending a lot of kids to war to punish the country where the masterminds of the terrorist attack were supposed to be hiding. Then the government decided that they should inspect everyone’s communications everywhere at all times and explain that constitutional overreach by saying that they’re listening for the next terror threat, but if anybody talks about the surveillance program they need to go to jail? Remember when that happened?
Dear readers, I hope both of you will agree that the steps the government has taken to “keep us safe” after the gut wrenching events twelve years ago dishonors those who perished on that day. Now, as the president contemplates launching a strike on yet another bad actor in the Middle East, to punish Syrian bad behavior, even the generals are hoping to avoid another fight.
Today has been designated by Congress as a national day of service. One patriotic thing you might consider doing today would be to write a letter to your representative airing your carefully considered opinion on the matters of war, punishment, surveillance and national security.
But please take your shoes off first and put them in the bin.
Your pal,
– bob