When, if ever, should US security be relaxed?

[Dinsdale]

Since 9/11/01, US citizens have experienced muliple increases in security. The establishment of a new cabinet level department, increased searches of people and bags at airports and entering public and private buildings, legislation to enhance surveillance are but a few examples. Concrete barriers and armed guards have sprouted like weeds.

I consider it a given that American practices will never return to pre-9/11 openness. But I was wondering if now or in the future we could expect any easing of security, or whether we should just accept current security as a pernmanent baseline for the future.

I ask this because it looks as tho we are about to enter a new phase, if not the final stages of the war in Iraq. Of course I realize that this military action is supposedly distinct from the "war on terrorism," (at least when it serves particular individuals' purposes to not conflate the two!)

I propose a few immediate changes to current security practices which are consistent with my desired American lifestyle, and which I do not believe create unacceptable risk.

1. Immediately grant full Constitutional rights to all American citizens held for whatever reason.

2. Enhance cockpit door security, and eliminate gateside searches.

3. Require that any public building requiring a search readily provide upon request by any American citizen an explanation of the reasons for the search. Vague references to "threats" and "9/11" are insufficient. Urge private entities to follow government lead.

4. Require that the Dept of Homeland Security regularly justify its continued existence, including showing that it is more economical than alternatives, and documenting successes.

5. Require that increases in security be tailored to specific threats, rather than lockstep imposition of across the board security as we move up and down the color spectrum.

6. Instead of blanket measures, allot resouces to specific targetted efforts, such as immigration, cumstoms, border patrol, etc.

[Lissa]

Originally posted by Dinsdale
4. Require that the Dept of Homeland Security regularly justify its continued existence, including showing that it is more economical than alternatives, and documenting successes.

I don't think this will ever happen. The Dept. of Homeland Security is here to stay, like it or not. If there are no more terrorist attacks, it will be seen as a sign of the dept.'s effectiveness ("This rock keeps away tigers") and if there IS another terrorist attack, it will be seen as proof that it is still needed. There's no way to win.

Blanket measures are all we will ever see, I fear. Lawmakers don't like things to become too complicated with "exceptions."

Once civil liberties are lost, it is nearly impossible to retrieve them. Watchdog organizations have been in panic-mode since 9/11. One of my greatest fears is that while the American public's attention is focused on Iraq, laws could be passed with little comment.

Right now, lawmakers are in a unenviable position: if they disagree publicly with new "security measures" they can be accused of not caring about the safety of their contituents.

[Squink]

Right now, lawmakers are in a unenviable position: if they disagree publicly with new "security measures" they can be accused of not caring about the safety of their contituents.

Yup, it's going to take a long train of scandals and abuses of power to restore American's lack of faith in government "protections."

[black rabbit]

When, if ever, should US security be relaxed?

Never, if Congressional Republicans manage to make the Patriot Act permanent.

Be afraid. To be otherwise is un-American.

[Dinsdale]

I'm surprised, and disappointed, that this thread has seen so little interest. And that no one has attempted to explain why current security is necessary and desirable.

Lissa - you hit it on the head. I try to be optimistic, but I see this as yet another sign suggesting that we are leaving our children an uglier future than we enjoyed.

I guess when we start getting the bills for all the concrete barricades, rent-a-cops, and under-vehicle mirrors, we can finance them by either cutting taxes further, or eliminating some of those pesky social programs.