By opposing practically every administration initiative (e.g., ANWR and offshore drilling) for energy independence.
By stymieing practically every effort to address illegal immigration.
By demanding the administration commit to withdrawing American forces from Iraq by a certain date, the end of the year, now. This includes, of course, many of those distinguished legislators who voted for sending those forces to Iraq before they voted against it — or something.
On 9/11 terrorists got through; on 8/10 or shortly thereafter they likely would have were it not for the diligence and luck of the beloved Brits. One day, terrorists will get through again — and again. Still, a poll conducted a month ago finds Americans less worried about terrorism than about personal debt.
In the poll conducted for the Center for American Progress, about double the number (or more) were concerned about a secure retirement, identity theft and not having enough money to pay their bills than they were about terrorism or being hurt or killed in a terrorist attack. So as of a month ago, Americans were following President Bush’s post-9/11 advice and living their lives normally — anguishing over how to wrestle that dratted Visa monkey off their back.
London II should tell us to wake up and smell the coffee. And, for instance, to:
— Fly not only without nail scissors but hand lotion, as well.
— Build a sense of sacrifice for the greater good.
— Embrace a broad array of legal surveillance and monitoring, even those meaning temporary suspension of rights until the war is won.
— Do whatever it takes to achieve energy independence.
— Nail illegal immigration pronto.
— Adopt a program of compulsory universal service — up to two years max — for all men and women 18-23, with a front-end military component.
And:
— Take out those nuclear and missile sites in North Korea and Iran.
For all those initiatives and more, it’s time. It’s time for sacrifice — a national sense of sacrifice — too.