Score One for the Good Guys

I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from readers concerning the break up of the recent terrorist plots in Miami and New York. Folks have been concerned that the actions by the FBI, police and prosecutors prior to the alleged culprits showing that they were true threats somehow undermined the seriousness of the plots. Initially, I had some of the same questions about breaking up conspiracies before they showed any real danger to the Sears Tower and to the tunnels under the Hudson.

Yesterday, I listened to Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff babble on about it saying that it is sometimes only a short time between planning and execution. Frankly, that wasn’t too convincing either.

But in thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that there might well be another even more important reason for jumping on these conspiracies very early rather than waiting until the terrorists actually planted their bombs. If potential terrorists – international or domestic – come to understand that the government has sophisticated means of learning about and listening in on their conspiracies and planning they’re much less likely to begin their murderous conniving.

Seeding paranoia in the minds of potentially bad people isn’t the worst thing in the world when you’re dealing with potential killers preparing to take their initial steps toward terrorist conspiracies. While the government isn’t likely to announce this as a salutary benefit from the breakup of those two groups of bumbling plotters, it is just that. While this may do little good in dealing with hard core enemies of the U.S. and the West, it doesn’t hurt to scare the stupid wannabes – who can be mortally dangerous.

Score one for the good guys of the Department of Justice, FBI, local and state police, and Homeland Security Department. Their lot hasn’t been pleasant, so let’s put these cases on the positive side of the ledger. I feel a little safer and hope you do too.

Blog on!

Wild Bill