American officials are doing a great job of scaring the public about likely terror attacks.
Vice President Dick Cheney said on “Meet the Press” Sunday that another attack, possibly bigger than Sept. 11, could be expected, although he had no idea when or where.
The FBI wasted no time in alerting us that suicide bombings, like those experienced by Israelis, would undoubtedly hit our shores.
Then New Yorkers got a warning that they would likely suffer another attack, possibly on the Brooklyn Bridge or Statue of Liberty or some other landmark.
OK, our government has succeeded in scaring us. But don’t public officials also have the duty to protect us and educate us on how to protect ourselves?
The attacks we may be facing in all likelihood can’t be prevented by our military, our police or our intelligence forces. That means we Americans need to take individual action to save ourselves.
Israel can teach us how to do that. Although many Israelis have died in suicide bombings, more would have died over the years had Israeli citizens not taken steps to protect themselves. And that doesn’t necessarily mean toting guns.
We don’t hear about the bombs that didn’t go off in Israel because Israelis have discovered them and reported them to the police, who detonated the explosives.
Israelis know to alert security whenever they see an unattended package or suitcase. Israelis are prepared to open their shopping bags and handbags whenever they go to a shopping mall or other public places.
These and other security measures are hammered into the Israeli psyche.
There are signs throughout the Jewish state reminding people to report unattended packages. There are announcements on buses and in the airport. There are constant reminders to watch out for your own personal security.
When will American leaders start the same kind of education campaign here?
It’s time that our leaders do more than just scare us.