A solutions-oriented commentary

*What's it all about?  JAATI is a real word, but alternately here, stands for "Just About Anything That's Interesting, (or Inflammatory)". It can also be a poignant reminder that no matter how far above the law politicians feel, or how genetically superior the Tinsel town stars feel they are, we are supposed to be a casteless society. Let's try to act like it. The goal is simple and straightforward. Wake up the "slumbering masses" and motivate them to either do something or elect someone who will.

We are losing fewer American lives now than would be the case if we had bailed on Iraq and the fight was brought here.  That is still, in all likelihood, inevitable, but hopefully we are progressing in our readiness. This is the start of the New World Reality, not the slowly ending war against Iraq.

Here are a few thoughts about the hidden, unsuspected, positive potential of all your "Legal CCW friends and neighbors", (CCW loosely refers to all the acronyms describing the Concealed Carry of Weapons).  You probably have no idea how many of your fellow citizens are in this category.  (Would you believe several million?)  You may not even approve of such things, but they would nevertheless do their best to keep you and other innocents alive if you happened by the wrong restaurant, or bank, or whatever - at a time when some crazies decide to take hostages, - maybe begin executing them.  They are not waiting and hoping for their chance to be what some politicians call “a Rambo”.  They just know the limitations of the police, both in legal terms and manpower/budget considerations, and choose to take some personal responsibility for their fate.

Imagine the following directive being issued by the Department of Homeland Security to all of our citizens licensed to carry weapons;  Imagine also that most have had some serious practical training, and most important of all - awareness and mindset training.

Nationwide:  Bulletin to US Citizen "Category 2" CCW's:

Information has come to USDHS that many embedded long-time sleeper cells are beginning a country-wide large scale clandestine operation that will involve (XXXXXX).  The foreign controlled insurgents will be using explosives, rocket propelled grenades, and sniper rifles.

Most of you are not trained to deal with these threats as would be a "special weapons and tactics" team, but you could be the first line of defense, a communications source with needed data, and a reserve of force that may be called upon by your local officers.  Your most critical directive is to work within the control of your local or federal officers in charge.

In addition to your regular handgun armament, if possible equip your vehicles inconspicuously with a center-fire rifle with extra magazines.  Be observant and if you see suspicious activity call the police special operations phone number in you authorization pak.  Be prepared to stand in defense of your homeland as ordered, and be prepared to stand down if so directed.  The overall situation will almost certainly not be known to you.

The police or federal officer in charge of any scene will keep in radio contact with all citizens on the cellular-based communication groups.  Those having concealable body armor should wear it whenever practical.  Tactical outerwear may be called for by your local officer in charge, but do not wear such equipment.

Only in the gravest of extreme situations, already under way, where innocent people are being harmed, should you take action.  You must not endanger other innocent persons, and you must desist immediately when authorities arrive.  Every effort must be made on your part to pre-identify yourself with communication to the authorities.  You could be mistaken as the sniper or terrorist

Supplemental to Citizens of (Your State):

Be especially vigilant in the vicinity of the ....(XXXXXX).  Watch for suspicious vehicle activity where a sniper might set up a watch.  Do not intervene or even show your interest, it could provoke a situation.  Get the police involved as soon as you see anything that is decidedly a departure from normal activity.  Do not initiate any confrontation, it could be just a concerned citizen like you scouting and looking at risk situations.

 –End of scenario.

What a concept!  Resources previously uncounted.  A new way of looking at your fellow American.  What a shock to find out he is not the enemy.  If you look at an airport security gate, it almost seems as if we all are suspected of being the enemy.  Virtually all of those passengers are on the side of the good guys, not the terrorists.

Another Radical Concept -  It would be better to stop bothering air travelers about their bottled water and loose toothpaste, and issue every passenger who doesn't have one, a carbon fiber survival knife.  (If you were a hijacker with a box knife, how do you think you would fare?)  The metal detectors would still look for guns on those without permits, and maybe we could spend some extra effort on chemical sniffers to try to find explosives before they can be employed, and better monitoring of X-ray baggage scans.

If all of the gun owners suddenly acted the way Ms. Feinstein and her ilk imply, then surely a third of our population would be dead by sunrise, from accidental killings and family squabbles.  Curious how so many of those who would self righteously set the rules against gun ownership, have armed bodyguards, or permits of their own!  Curious how they suppress the fact that there are many thousands more times that  guns deter a violent crime, than the number of (highly publicized) accidental incidents, tragic though they are.

Think about these things when you pick your next officials.