As predicted, after the tragedies in Brussels today, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan called for a ‘focus on ISIS, and increased airport security.’ This is a political effort by the two failed Republican leaders. If they are claiming that our nation’s efforts to prevent terrorism are not perfect; they are correct. There is no possible way to stop every terrorist who wants to cause harm to our nation’s innocent people.

Their real purpose is to remove the focus of November’s election away from domestic issues, all of which they deny exist. They are continuing the fear tactics of the George W. Bush era, and are ignoring the facts. They should be praising our security agencies for the multiple times they have squelched a possible attack inside our shores. But that would be a positive move; and that’s not likely to happen within the GOP. After all, like it or not, their party’s leader is Donald Trump followed closely by “super-hawk” Ted Cruz.

Of course Trump immediately called for closing our borders completely, until ‘we find out what’s going on.’ He will never get it. He would never be able to handle national security in a reasonable and efficient manner.

At present our nation’s ‘no-fly’ list has nearly reached 900,000 individuals. The possibility that even a small number of these men and women could be terrorists living legally inside the United States is far more frightening than an immigrant who must undergo extensive screening. And the reality that these 900,000 individuals can legally purchase guns, including assault rifles and high-output magazines is terrifying.

In blind support of the NRA, Republicans have no problem with those on the no-fly list purchasing these weapons of mass destruction.

Once again the GOP is using emotional assault to seek votes and secure its position in our nation’s government. They avoid positive solutions and make rash judgements about what steps should be taken to protect our nation from attack.

What happened in Paris and Brussels is the work of cowards who are afraid to face their enemies in battle. These degenerates attack defenseless men, women and children who are going about their normal, daily lives. This doesn’t make them heroes; it makes them the lowest of low-lives.

We have talented and intelligent men in the FBI, CIA, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of defense, and in every other national security team. If they work together, America is the safest nation on the earth.

But we can never guarantee that a terrorist attack on American soil will not happen. Vigilance of all of our nation’s people is an important weapon against those who would harm our people. Combined with the efforts of our intelligence community, we can reduce the possibility of the type of attacks which occurred in Paris and Brussels.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Dave Newman

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