Homeland Security
MIMIS VIEW OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE THREAT OF TERRORISM
Prior to 911, we were living in la-la-land. There is no doubt about it. Homeland security has no room for beauracracy. Imagine agencies that either could not or did not share information necessary to protect us. Are you kidding me? Think about our airline security prior to 911. It was absolutely unacceptable. I remember a friend of mine, who is a retired cop, telling me about his flight out of BWI the day before 911. He was trying to get some coins out of his pocket and the lady at the security post was yelling at him to hurry up She felt he was holding up the line. He was rushed through like cattle. This was ridiculous, yet our national security experts knew what the terrorists wanted to do to this country. We might not have known exactly when and how, but they certainly knew the intent of the extremists and that should have been enough to enhance security well before 911. With Homeland Security, we need to hire the BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB, PERIOD! No favoritism, nepotism, or connections necessary! I dont care if the person in charge of homeland security has a name or some type of fame or recognition. This isnt a popularity contest for this type of position. Its for the best of the best in emergency management, national security, planning and response! Every home should be required to shelter in place or evacuate, but its not the case. Every car should have a basic survival kit. Every school, and college campus too, must be better prepared. Theres only a few choices we have in a major catastropheWere either ordered to shelter in place and survive for 3 to 5 days or evacuate to another place. How many of us are really prepared to do either / or??? Those with low incomes need to be financially assisted so they can afford what others can afford. Just like our criminal justice system, money matters and it should not. Ill be damned if a Hollywood star can somehow find themselves with supplies of medicines to protect themselves from anthrax or the bird flue, but my child cannot because were not rich or famous, or somehow connected.

War
MIMIS VIEW ON WAR IN IRAQ
I supported the war in Iraq under Bushs Presidency, however, with the understanding that we would not go it alone. The coalition that was formed appears superficial. Financial support in a war is important, but troop and real military commitment is the ultimate coalition and Bush NEVER had that. Imagine if all countries committed to this war? It would have been over a long time ago. You cant form a working democracy without security. And if the military powers in the world worked together to form a secure Iraq, the silent majority, which I believe is not much different from the silent majority in the U.S. (Im speaking of the middle class of any country) would not be afraid to speak out in support of our efforts. Right now, without true safety and security, the middle class stays silent in fear of execution. Hey, in our own country, kids dont learn in many of our own schools because they are out of control. Theres no order, little security and little discipline. If an American teacher in the American school system cant inspire a teenager to learn because he or she cant control the behavior in the class, then how the hell can a democracy be formed in a country that has never known it! Without impressive and effective law, order, and security for the people that have the potential for possessing moderate views of the world, we cannot be successful!