USA Today editorial on Russian terrorists massacre/our own post 9/11 security

[Dan Murphy]

I read this at breakfast this AM, thought I would share, some good thoughts, IMO.......................

<center>Russian tragedy turns minds to post-9/11 security at home </center>

Flash back three years to 9/11. Remember how the world stood with America in its grief over the terrorist attacks? Today, Americans are returning some of that emotional solidarity.

Hearts go out to Russia as it deals with the unspeakable slaughter of innocents that many are referring to as that country's 9/11.

The Russian terrorist tragedy — just like ours three years ago — is a global body blow.

Who, regardless of country, could not be outraged by the intentional targeting of schoolchildren? Or not share the wild grief over the hundreds of victims? It could as easily, many of us sense, have been us.

Or could it?

Some Russians, angry at their nation's vulnerability, are voicing envy at measures put in place here during the past three years.

The uncommon perspective is timely. As the 9/11 anniversary on Saturday approaches, the USA's continuing vulnerabilities are under a harsh spotlight.

The criticisms aren't new. Many of us can reel them off in our sleep: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security can be too unwieldy and inefficient. Improved airline security still has gaps. The Patriot Act giving law enforcement agencies more powers could turn the government into Big Brother. The color-coded alert system can be confusing, making people feel more scared than secure. And so on.

But Russia is now telegraphing something equally important: Nations, like human beings, can be so hard on themselves that they don't pause to take stock of achievements. The USA is not safe from terror, nor will it ever be. But it is safer than it was.

The contrast highlights just how badly Russia needs to get its act together. It has ignored multiple warnings to put effective protections in place, much like a person whose home is repeatedly robbed and vandalized, but settles for a junk security system.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is admitting as much. “We did not understand the danger of the process that was emerging in our country,” he said Sunday. That is quite an understatement after five years of escalating attacks by Chechen separatists. Just over the past two weeks, they have brought down two airliners and attacked a subway station.

Some Russians believe that an American-level preparedness could have averted the tragedy. Few Russian schools, unlike in the U.S., have basic security.

The forces that stormed the school under siege last week didn't have U.S.-style training and bungled the rescue. Russian authorities lied about the number of people held hostage — hampering, among other things, the plans of emergency services. Security checks at airports across the country, even today, remain cursory.

Americans can hardly afford to be complacent, given the many ways the nation is still vulnerable. But for a moment — and in deepest sympathy with Russia's horror — we can appreciate how far we've come.

".........The USA is not safe from terror, nor will it ever be. But it is safer than it was.......Americans can hardly afford to be complacent, given the many ways the nation is still vulnerable. But for a moment — and in deepest sympathy with Russia's horror — we can appreciate how far we've come."

I agree.

 

[poohandwendy]

Dan,

I agree that we should be proud of how much we have learned and how far we have come (I certainly am)....BUT, as far as the Russian school incident, I cannot think of a school in the US that could have prevented it. We DON'T have ''security'' in our schools, our children are vulnerable to a similar attack. This story scares the hell out of me. We have come a long way, but I feel we really need to go further when it comes to our schools. Do I know the answer? No, I really wish I did. I am sincerely not trying to rain on your nice post, but I just don't think we should fool ourselves into thinking this couldn't have happened here.

One thing I do know, this situation is certainly going to raise the stakes on how we approach school security. That is one positive thing that can come form this sad, horrible event.

I am proudof our efforts since 9-11, I hope we can offer something to the Russians to aid in protecting themselves better. Until then, we can all offer our deepest sympathy and warmest compassion.

Some Russians believe that an American-level preparedness could have averted the tragedy. Few Russian schools, unlike in the U.S., have basic security.

 

[kingbilly]

Well if anyone has seen the video tape made by the terrorists, they'd know those kids were nener coming out alive.

They had bombs everywhere and were armed to the teeth, and one of the terrorists was praying in Arabic.

 

[Loftus]

I think it is almost impossible to relate the two issues. US security is undoubtably improved since 9/11, but the US does not have a large, active, heavily equipped terrorist group operating within its borders whose aim is to 'liberate' part of the country. As has been said, short of posting the military at every school in the country, I don't know what could have been done to prevent such a well equipped group from storming the school - particularly as getting out alive didn't seem to be there highest priority.

I have no doubt that the better trained and equipped US military and security services could have done a better job in securing the scene and attempting a planned rescue, but, as I understand it, the hand of the Russians was forced when the terrorists starting blowing themselves up and shooting fleeing hostages in the back.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I agree fully with the above thoughts. I do think the editorial was just referring to the fact that we do have 'some' basic elements of security, apparently Russia has virtually none. And yes, I do think schools are not well protected (don't know how they can be) and are a prime target here also for terrorists, psychos they are.