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Since September 11th, "Homeland Security" has become an obsession for Americans. This great nation, which was built on the solid foundation of "liberty, fraternity and the pursuit of happiness," is now fixated on the "Islamic terror," and it is willing to go to any length to eradicate this "evil."

There is nothing wrong with an individual or country implementing impregnable safety measures; human life is the most valuable and sacred of all human possessions, and it should be guarded against all threats. A state's primary respon-sibility is the safety of its citizens and security of its borders. What is wrong is when paranoia, resulting from false assumptions and misread threats, overwhelms a society. Often this frenzy leads a state to indulge in gross violations of basic human rights and undue curtailment of civil liberties in the name of "national security." Unfortunately, this is what is happening with us today.

Since 9/11, enormous resources are being spent to pay for maximum security, while basic civil amenities, including poverty eradication and universal healthcare, are suffering from lack of funds. State and local authorities are raising taxes to unbearable levels in order to provide the bare minimum of services.

Any person with common sense knows that "perfect" security is an absurdity that cannot be bought at any cost. The best security can only come from reducing the level of antagonism around the world.

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June/July 2003