Home | Columns | Media Watch | Reports | Links | About Us | Contact

MEXIDATA . INFO
Column 121707 Brewer

Monday, December 17, 2007

Politics Must Not Undermine Antiterrorism Efforts in USA

By Jerry Brewer

Many times, when it comes to formulating viable solutions to

complex problems, cynicism raises its ugly head as hand
wringing and finger pointing prevail as a panacea for needed
action. Unfortunately, the symbolism in lieu of intestinal fortitude
does nothing to protect and secure a homeland.

Fluid strategy of engagement and containment of an enemy

wanting to inflict massive harm on citizens of a nation include
understanding the threat posed. All nations across the Americas
moving to undertake counterterrorism initiatives to protect their
homelands must enhance public understanding to gain unified
support.

The scope of the terrorist threat in the United States, as well as

Latin America, is far beyond what many people see simply as
Middle Eastern conflict. The threat in this hemisphere is real,
relevant, and potentially disastrous. Clear indications of the
specter of terrorism are hiding out in the open along our
borders, although many fail to interpret the data.

No one needs to be reminded of the words of the foremost

architect of massive death and destruction against the U.S. –
Osama bin Laden. "It is saddening to tell you that you are the
worst civilization witnessed by the history of mankind. Further, if
America does not conform, America deserves death more than
you deserve life." And his calling card remains eternally
embedded at ground zero in New York City.

Many now view that sad day in history, as well as other

significant terrorist events preceding bin Laden's wake-up call,
as political retribution for an "evil" U.S. empire.

The next elephant hiding under a leaf is contiguous to our

borders. Too, the massive beast lives and wanders
inconspicuously in U.S. cities.

Evidence of the aforementioned occurred in July of 2005, when

what was described as "armed criminal groups" with unusually
advanced weapons participated in a brutal gun battle across the
bridge from Laredo, Texas, in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The
combatants used an arsenal of weaponry resembling that of a
small army. Their blatant murdering of police chiefs, police
officers and city officials was once again a terrorist calling card
advertising diversity in ethnicity, but solidarity in purpose. This
violence continues and is widespread.

As this violence continues in Mexico and points further south in

Latin America, coupled with sophisticated and advanced
weaponry, rose-colored glasses again fail to see the
stampeding herds of massive threat hidden in the wind behind
our invisible barriers. Of course walls and fences are no match
at that level of threat.

What are the real answers and solutions to these complexities?

First and foremost, politicians must reach the true vision that the
threats from the Middle East, as well as Latin America, are not
red herrings. Second, politicians, lawmakers and the executive
leadership of a free nation must unite in purpose for a
coordinated, swift, and affirmative proactive response to the
scope of the actual threats posed.

The inherent problems in not moving in a coordinated and

supportive effort in terrorist interdiction, as well as
misinterpreting "domestic intelligence gathering" and sharp
attacks on executive leadership's fiscal agendas, sadly allow a
shadowy enemy to prevail. This enemy thrives on dissension
and media attention. Common sense must prevail on such
profound issues of supreme consequence. Vagueness and
vacillation, as well as perverting form over substance in political
competition can indeed foster deadly results.

The metamorphosis of anti-terrorism policing is not clearly

understood by traditional law enforcement. The statement that
"money has not been well-spent," money allocated through
Homeland Security for counterterrorism, is a tacit fact. In fact,
many law enforcement officials continue to complain that they
need less anti-terrorism money and "more money for traditional
crime fighting."

Law enforcement in the homeland must strategically and

adequately prepare to face this new and deadly enemy that is
more sophisticated, better trained in special operations,
paramilitary tactics, and spy tradecraft. The United Kingdom is
proactively a model in their firm resolve and aggressive
message of anti-terrorism. Too, their lawmakers remarkably
exhibit 20/20 vision on this common agenda.

Many U.S. state lawmakers are taking credit for getting

counterterrorism money for their districts. However, without a
coherent and conceptual framework of understanding by those
that must engage, contain, and neutralize the threat by those
non-military combatants, the price tag is excessive and
wasteful.

While proposing to eliminate around seven homeland grants,

President George W. Bush is looking at creating ones that
prepare, prevent, and allow for the appropriate response. This
in lieu of essentially a blank check for more government waste.

Short and long term vision must be the guiding factor for U.S.
leadership to expect an effective and sustained fight against
terrorism within and around our borders. The fights inside our
own government on such matters must be reconciled and
accords must be reached.

——————————

Jerry Brewer, the Vice President of Criminal Justice

International Associates, a global risk mitigation firm
headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a guest columnist with
MexiData.info. He can be reached via e-mail at
Cjiaincusa@aol.com jbrewer@cjiausa.org