“The lesson of 9/11 for civilians and first responders can be stated simply: in the new age of terror, they–we–are the primary targets. … A rededication to preparedness is perhaps the best way to honor the memories of those we lost that day.” Page 323, “9/11 Commission Report”

And how are we doing at preparedness? Not very well, according to a recent TSA testing report, that showed screeners missed fake bombs 60%-75% of the time at LAX and O’Hare. A 2001 report by the GAO found that screeners in the 1970’s found all but 13% of objects during compliance tests, performing significantly better than those working for the TSA now. And this does not address the fact that we still do not inspect the cargo loaded on passenger planes or coming into the country through our ports. If we were serious about honestly enhancing security, we would be doing more to protect our chemical and nuclear plants, railways, and refineries, instead of tapping Americans’ phones and feeling up airline travelers in political t-shirts.