Security

Dear Editor: I have a simple suggestion to make with respect to ensuring the security of air travel against terrorists. The last successful hijacking of an aircraft of El Al, the national airline of Israel, occurred in 1968. Since then, due to stringent security, El Al is the safest airline in the world. And, if the U.S. thinks it is in the crosshairs of the Islamic terrorists of the world, our vulnerability is nothing compared to Israel’s. The stated official goal of most of the Arab/Muslim states of the world is to destroy Israel. They may not like us; they consider the Jewish state their mortal enemy. So, here’s my suggestion: Contract with Israeli security to show our security how it’s done. Train Americans to the standard of excellence the Israelis expect of their security. This is a zero-tolerance goal.

I’ve heard the objections: We have our constitutional rights, racial profiling, yada, yada, yada. So, the question is: Do you want to be safe flying anywhere in the world? Or do you want to make believe that all is well? It isn’t, and until we show that we are smarter than they are, we are being deluded by our own pretense that everyone is equal and deserves equal treatment.

That is the noblest ideal probably ever expressed in political theory, but until we distinguish between the good and the bad, and do something about it, we will be victims of our own making.

So, let’s outsource a bit here. If the Chinese can fill the shelves of Wal-Mart, let’s get smart and partner with the Israelis and turn the tables on the terrorists who think we are soft and vulnerable.

Larry Clayton

Tuscaloosa