Be vigilant

Terrorists have struck in England and our Homeland Security people tell us to be vigilant. I guess I should feel safe because of a change in the color code that tells us that we are under a heightened alert. What is being done locally?

Riding the T I notice that they have increased the frequency of messages played over the public address speakers. As I wait for the train I hear the message telling me to be alert for anything that looks suspicious and to report it. Gee, thanks that really helps. Half the people that ride the T are suspicious looking characters. Do I report them? Many, including myself, travel carrying some sort of bag or backpack. I notice some people on the verge of losing their pants or shorts and wonder if they are hiding some load in there. Could I be suspected by another rider since I have a beard?

When we stop at Downtown Crossing, a recorded message is played reminding the passengers to make sure to take all of their personal belongings when leaving the train. This reminder is replayed at the Back Bay Station. I take this opportunity to put two hands on my bag for fear that someone would steal it. I'm more concerned with the people that are staying on the train than the ones leaving. How could I stop a suicide bomber?

While I do my part to be vigilant, our country does very little to stop the flow of illegal immigrants that are pouring into our country. Experts say that possibly 12 million people live in the United States illegally — more people than live in Oregon, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas and Rhode Island combined. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, agents from the US Customs and Border Protection agency have stopped 132 nationals from countries considered a national security threat, including Syria, North Korea and Iran.

If those numbers are accurate, they may indicate that hundreds more from suspect nations made it across the border. Some spent the last eight years in an area known locally as the "Arab Road," where ranchers recently found a prayer rug, a Koran and a diary written in Arabic.

The president's constant reminder that we are fighting "over there that way we don't have to fight them over here" is a lot of bull. This reminds me of the old saying, "while Nero fiddled, Rome burned." Mr. Bush stop fiddling and start protecting our borders, especially down your neck of the woods. Take our National Guard troops and place them on the border between Mexico and the US. It's only a matter time before another 9/11 happens again.