Counterterrorism Blog

We are still allegedly engaged in a "War on Terror" yet our borders are anything but secure. We have a Visa Waiver Program that permits aliens from 27 countries plus Canada to enter the United States without first applying for visas. And now our government is implementing a program for frequent fliers that would enable passengers to pay a fee, subject themselves to a cursory background check and be able to by-pass the security measures that were implemented after the attacks of 9/11 that killed three thousand innocent victims.

I am at a loss of words to understand the strategy behind this madness. Any terrorist would simply have to keep a low profile, not be identified with a terrorist organization, possibly by assuming a false identity and pay a small feel. In exchange for this, they would given a document that would enable them to avoid the scrutiny other passengers would still subject themselves to. I would remind you that according to the "9/11 Commission Staff Report on Terrorist Travel," which is available in the Counterterrorism Library on the left sidebar of this site, the 19 terrorists who attacked our nation on September 11, 2001, in the aggregate, had provided themselves with 364 identities. So, while a 90 year old grandmother who travels infrequently is thoroughly searched as she prepares to visit her grandchildren a terrorist who has established a track-record of frequent travel and pays a relatively small fee will be able to sidestep the security process!

I have heard it said that the business of America is business. It is utter madness to permit travelers to pay a fee that will ultimately be used to fill the coffers of a company that will make these identity documents to be issued to these frequent fliers. The profits of this company will quite possibly be offset by another terrorist attack committed by terrorists who will qualify for this program. Our government is, in my opinion, creating a system that will once again leave us vulnerable to another attack that will involve the use of hijacked airliners.

Add this to the guest worker program that will enable illegal aliens to show up at immigration offices, declare themselves to be "undocumented aliens" meaning that they have no official identity documents to prove their true identities. With the onslaught of millions of applicants it is inevitable that USCIS, the agency of the Department of Homeland Security that will adjudicate their applications will simply put whatever name these aliens claim to be their proper identities on these officially issued identity documents. If that day ever comes, our government may as well shred all of the name-based watch lists and "No-Fly Lists" because terrorists and other criminals will easily obtain official identity documents with new identities, rendering the watch lists obsolete and worthless.

Finally, in considering the Visa Waiver Program I noted at the beginning of this e-mail, I want to remind you that the rioting Muslim youths in France were, for the most part, born in France and as such are French citizens who are eligible to hop on airliners and seek admission to the United States without first applying for visas.

In the past several months we have witnessed the bombing of a train in Spain, bombings of commuter trains in London, rioting by Muslim youths in France and today, the bombing of three hotels in Jordan. I have not heard the "All Clear" sound, what I think we may be able to hear if we listen carefully, however, is the sound of terrorists laughing as they prepare to attempt to attack our nation again.

The terrorists are serious about their intentions to destroy our nation and our allies. Our nation had better be serious about defending itself and defending our citizens. We cannot afford to do less than our best, the potential consequences are simply far too great.