Clark Promises No 9/11 If He's President

Democratic presidential candidate Wes Clarks says he can keep U.S. safe from attacks:

"If I'm president of the United States, I'm going to take care of the American people," Clark said in a meeting with the Monitor editorial board. "We are not going to have one of these incidents."

Clark, a retired Army general, envisioned a future in which Americans "have more confidence in ourselves as a people." He continued: "Nothing is going to hurt this country - not bioweapons, not a nuclear weapon, not a terrorist strike - there is nothing that can hurt us if we stay united and move together and have a vision for moving to the future the right way."

Pure campaign B.S.

Way I see it, an open society is vulnerable, just by definition. We do not close off our borders to the extent that we will sink unknown boats or shoot down unknown aircraft--at least into insensitive areas. We also do not restrict travel within our borders nor restrict communication in any meaningful way. Indeed, an open society harbors the very seeds that may destroy it.

9/11 taught me, if nothing else, that we are vulnerable to an individual or organization that is determined to cause damage and death. I'm not pessimistic about our future, simply realistic about the consequences of such freedom.