I have stated many times that I am proud to be an American.  I believe it is the greatest country in the world today.  I live with freedoms that people in other countries can only dream about.  I will selfishly protect those freedoms with whatever means I have available.

On September 11, 2001, we were attacked by an organization that would arbitrarily kill thousands simply because they happen to live and work in my country.  Because of what happened on that day, the United States was changed.  I was changed.

I will still stubbornly protect my freedoms granted to me by the founding documents on which our Republic was founded.  However, I am willing to allow some encroachment on those freedoms by the government if it means that terrorists, thugs and other animals are prevented from perpetrating another calamity.  I am not stupid enough to think that there will never be another terrorist act on U.S. soil.  Nevertheless, I am willing to believe that some acts have, and will, be prevented by actions taken by the government, military, Intelligence and Law Enforcement agencies

If I have to arrive at an airport an extra few minutes to get through a security screening, I am willing to do so.  The efficacy of the screening procedures is irrelevant to this rant.  If I fit the profile of someone the authorities believe might be dangerous, I have no problem with them pulling me out of a line and questioning me.

Which brings me to another hot button: Profiling.  The government has become too politically correct.  Looking back on the acts of terrorism in the last 10 years, there is a general profile that can be derived about the people who have performed these acts.  Young male muslims, mostly of middle eastern descent.  I really don't want to single out a specific group, but the fact remains that this group has been involved in a vast majority of the incidents. 

It may be inconvenient, but if you are a young middle eastern male, you can expect some attention.  If tomorrow, a group of 40-something white males start performing acts of terrorism, you can bet that I will gladly accept special attention and screening.  In addition, you will find me out on the streets, loudly and publicly, denouncing the organization that perpetrated the horrors. 

Which brings me to another point: If you are a Muslim and don't want to be lumped in with the Islamofascists who want to rain death and destruction on others, speak up.  When the next act of terrorism occurs, I want to hear you decry the act.  There have been a few news stories about Islamic groups denouncing some of the terrorist acts in the last few years, but generally, there is a deafening silence.  If you have spoken up in the past, I salute you.  If you don't believe that Islamic teachings give you the right to kill others because they don't believe as you do, then I have no quarrel with you.

But I digress.

Now back to the purpose mentioned in the title.  I am willing to allow the government to intrude on my freedoms if they have a reason and they can show just cause.  It is a tradeoff.  I will accept some inconvenience if it means that acts of terror are prevented.  They have access to information that I do not have and I am willing to let them make a judgement call on my behalf.