If this continues, the terrorists have already won. Shutting down our normal, modern life is what they want. Many thousands of people just died in Iran because of a catastrophic blow delivered by the hands of nature, yet we run because of the relatively low cost in lives from a blow delivered by the hands of a small group of world-class criminals? An example: When confronted with a snarling dog, or many other aggressive creatures, if you turn and run or try to hide, you are lunch. If you stand your ground and stare that same dog in the eyes without fear, it will almost always slink away with a whimper. These murdering human dogs are no different. They smell and see our fear and they are emboldened all the more. They want to eat your lunch, dinner, and breakfast too if you hide and let them.
We are Americans. When did we start running away from enemies? When did we start believing that we should change our way of life because some yapping, anachronistic beast from days long past comes out of its last hiding place to confront us out of desperation? We are America, the land that is inclusive of every ethnicity on this spinning rock: are we now going to close down the very river of diverse humanity that made us what we are just because some wild, rogue criminals might kill a few of us? Do we want to enter another year with hope, or fear? I know my choice. Do you know yours?
Private aircraft will be banned from flying over the Las Vegas strip, Hoover Dam and Times Square. U.S. officials ordered tighter patrols of airspace over Washington and New York last week, when the Homeland Security Department elevated the nation's alert level to "high" out of concern that terrorists might try to hijack planes and crash them into high-profile targets or set off a "dirty" bomb. Flights also were restricted last week over downtown Chicago. ...
In New York, "anti-sniper teams" will be stationed on downtown rooftops and police wearing radiation detectors and carrying metal detectors plan to inspect partygoers carrying large packages or backpacks, a police spokesman said. City and military police will patrol the sky over Manhattan. Utility covers and mailboxes will be sealed in the 10-block Times Square area.
"Certainly it's going to be an intensive security detail," said New York City Police Department spokesman Kevin Czartoryski "Everyone entering the [Times Square] area is subject to a search. If they're carrying a backpack, they will be definitely be searched."
In Las Vegas, a city that U.S. officials have identified as a possible target by terrorists, sharpshooters will be stationed on rooftops and the military will assist with air patrols over the strip, where 350,000 people are expected to ring in the New Year, officials said.
"The only place in America where there will be more people celebrating will be Times Square," said Greg Bortolin, a spokesman for Nevada Gov. Kenny C. Guinn. "Security is going to be much tighter than it was last year."
