First, it has reminded us once again that there is a serious war for survival going on. Many have forgotten the horrors of 9/11 and have to be constantly reminded that the threat is not gone. Hopefully, it will give even less credibility to the kooks who claim 9/11 was a government conspiracy. I’m surprised these idiots never came up with the theory that the pictures were computer-generated and the World Trade Center towers are really still there, the vast open space being just a grand illusion created by some famous magician.

Second, the event has shown us how treasonous the media can be, with The New York Times being the leader. It has already exposed two government programs that secretly (and legally) monitor terrorist conversations and track their financial activities. It is these kinds of legal strategies that are protecting us. Even with this effort by the Times to derail the Bush anti-terrorist programs, these programs, with the cooperation of Britain and Pakistan, uncovered and prevented this latest massive terrorist attempt at mass murder. Hopefully, the Times will fall even further in credibility and continue to have rapidly decreasing readership numbers.

Third, it has temporarily silenced the Hollywood bubbleheads who constantly blame the Bush administration for everything. They don’t know what to say when a plot is successfully thwarted, proving the terrorist threat is real and our prevention strategies are working. Barbra Streisand’s website, a perfect example of why she should stick to singing and not comment on things political, is strangely silent. Also, it’s so nice not to hear the shrill whining coming from the likes of Alec Baldwin, Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Martin Sheen, Sean Penn, George Clooney, ad nauseam. They will eventually realize that they are eye candy or there to entertain us, nothing more.

Fourth, I really don’t care that the Muslim community is offended when President Bush uses the term "Islamic fascists" to describe these fanatics. They are claiming that this will only inflame anti-Muslim tensions. Well, why don’t they themselves do something about it? I haven’t heard of any Muslim community leaders coming out and strongly condemning these animals. Overseas, I don’t see any Muslim group doing anything to prevent these terrorists from hijacking their religion. Are you really a responsible parent when you allow these evil people to live and operate within your communities, using your children as shields, as is being done in Lebanon? Where is the outrage? I guess the term fascism, when referring to dictatorship, oppression, and racism is a pretty accurate term. Live with it, or give me a reason to think otherwise.

Fifth, and finally, due to space constraints, is what the Democrats are doing to themselves in regards to their anti-terror strategies. Their rejection of Sen. Joe Lieberman in favor of some no-name rich political neophyte is a disgrace. It proves the radical left wing of their party is taking over. I loved the picture of Ned Lamont surrounded by Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Michael Moore. How do these guys find the cameras so often? I’m surprised Cindy Sheehan wasn’t with them. She loves a good photo op whenever she can get one. Regardless, that picture is going to get plenty of airtime from the Republicans during the political races this fall. I can’t wait for the campaign season to begin.

Joe Lieberman is an honest, moral man who puts America over politics and votes his conscience. Even though he voted with his party 90 percent of the time, that wasn’t good enough for the flakes such as Howard Dean. I am so happy to see that Lieberman isn’t giving up and has vowed to run as an independent. I am betting he will win the race for senator, as well he should.

If the Democrats think they are going to win with their "bring the troops home now " strategy, they are sadly mistaken. Already they are accusing the Republicans of using this latest terror incident for political gain. Good for the Republicans. It will come down to the choice of which party has been and will continue to be tough on terror and continue to make our country as safe as possible. Actually, it’s a pretty easy choice.

So congratulations, Mr. President, the FBI, CIA, NSA and all the Homeland Security agencies on another successful job of thwarting this last terror attempt, as well as the numerous other ones we don’t know about. The silence from the left in refusing to acknowledge these successful strategies only shames them. The fact that they can’t show any instances where anyone’s civil rights have been violated must irk them terribly.

Oh, yeah: Be very careful, Syria and Iran.

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Tom Sears is a professor of accounting at Hartwick College in Oneonta. He can be reached at SearsT@hartwick.edu. His column appears every other week.