Securing the Washington Monument from terrorism has turned out to be a surprisingly difficult job. The concrete fence around the building protects it from attacking vehicles, but there’s no visually appealing way to house the airport-level security mechanisms the National Park Service has decided are a must for visitors. It is considering several options, but I think we should close the monument entirely. Let it stand, empty and inaccessible, as a monument to our fears.
An empty Washington Monument would serve as a constant reminder to those on Capitol Hill that they are afraid of the terrorists and what they could do. They’re afraid that by speaking honestly about the impossibility of attaining absolute security or the inevitability of terrorism — or that some American ideals are worth maintaining even in the face of adversity — they will be branded as “soft on terror.” And they’re afraid that Americans would vote them out of office if another attack occurred. Perhaps they’re right, but what has happened to leaders who aren’t afraid? What has happened to “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”?
An empty Washington Monument would symbolize our lawmakers’ inability to take that kind of stand — and their inability to truly lead.
Bruce Schneier
December 2, 2010
Close the Washington Monument
[Alan also has a QOTD from Schneier.
A few years ago Barb and I visited the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. I was appalled at what we had to go through in order to get in. It was airplane security theater. What??? Do they think someone is going to hijack it and fly it into skyscraper?—Joe]
they should rope off Lady Liberty too. The irony would be so huge you could see it from the ISS!
We’re talking about everything BUT eliminating the jihadist movement. Until then it’s all just talk about how to avoid pissing them off too much, while we hunker down and self immolate. Interesting how no one seems to be afraid of pissing off the American people, isn’t it?
We could turn this around 180 degrees in a few weeks or months, but no one has the will. I’m not sure that even a smoldering, radioactive American city would be enough. With our government as corrupt and hostile as it is, there is no answer I suppose.
But if you want to know what victory looks like, the last time we had one of those was W.W. II. If the enemy occupied an allied city, that city was bombed. See what a real fight looks like? See what it took for the enemy to give up and surrender? Total destruction. That’s your last example – your model. We haven’t been willing to do that for generations.
Since then it’s been limited engagement, followed by pullout, followed by failure.
As I’ve said before; the Left and the jihadists have more in common than they have differences. They are soulmates in their hatred for western civilization.
Eliminate the murdurous barbarians who keep attacking. End Islam.
Everything else is bullshit.
.
I agree with all, especially about shutting the places down. Freedom is dead anyway and we can always re-open the places after the next “civil war”.