esrosedotblog

WSJ?OTD

Do you agree with the oft-repeated line that "9/11 changed everything"?

Hell, no.

It hasn't changed much of our life. And, despite all the rhetoric to the contrary, it hasn't changed much of how the government operates either.

The latter first. Special interests still reign, the politically expediency trumps real action.

Plane cargo still unchecked, ports are vulnerable/porous, industrial plants go unprotected--but we can't take drinks into the secured area in airports.

The former second. My life has changed in one respect. That is that I will not fly unless it is the direst emergency that I do so. And this is a secondary effect. It is because they have so hystericized the security process that air travel has been reduced to the lowest possible denominator.

Otherwise, nothing.

I am not afraid for myself or for my family and friends.

I do not believe that we have to abandon our values for the supposed terror war and I do not believe that our rights or anyone else's rights should be abridged for it.

So, I will not succumb to the fear mongers who seek to make it so that 'everything has changed'.

The results are about even so far in the poll. Half and half. Yes and No. And these are (I presume) mostly New Yorkers.

I yearn for September 12 to arrive so that all this anniversary nonsense can be over.