Aren’t you a little tired of those that make it difficult for our nation’s security people to stay ahead of the terrorists?

Great Britain makes no bones about it; they go for the jugular at first suspicion of wrong doing by any person, in or out of the country. Their fast action may have prevented a dozen passenger-laden jumbo jets going down in the ocean.

If the trail is even warm, the Brits aren’t required to seek a warrant. Taking the time to visit a judge and obtain an OK might prove to be idiocy.

Yet, those guardians of our constitution worry constantly about the &uot;slippery slope&uot; that could, they say, lead to further inroads into our civil rights. I’m willing to take a chance.

There is no doubt we are in big trouble, but too many Americans still believe diplomacy is the way to safety … talk, talk, talk. So far it has accomplished nothing dealing with the loonies in Iran and North Korea. One big kaboom in a major oil port and we will all be pedaling bicycles.

Two thirds of our population is still more concerned with pleasure than serious looks at the danger ahead. It is more about oil than spreading democracy. Serious attempts to choke our supply of black gold would result in warfare making World War II look like a fistfight. Our political parties better get together on this or else.

And if it walks like a duck it could be a duck … so what is wrong in these dangerous times to do a little profiling? It would speed up the long lines at the airline terminals and allow concentrated effort on eliminating danger.

We do not have the right to never be offended. It might anger an individual, but it might also save that person’s life. Again, these are very dangerous times. Civil rights protectors among us warn of that &uot;slippery slope,&uot; citing the corralling of Japanese Americans back in the forties.

Make DUI penalties sobering

It was a great idea to show trials of DUI cases to kids; it might head them off and save their lives. But increase fines to where they really hurt and make the second offense a ticket to long-term jail, or prison. While they are at it, show the kids some gory examples of the mayhem caused by drunks behind the wheel. Advise them of the pain and suffering, mental anguish, time required to heal, and costs. Show kids early and often.

Do the crime, do the time

There has been great attention lately to eliminating crime, even to the extent of hiring one more city hall employee to coordinate the efforts. Of course that is nonsense; the only way to change what is going on is to, again, get to the young kids often. There is no way to change those already hooligans.

You don’t eliminate gangs; you just drive them under. Those people are beyond salvaging, but given time, some grow up, while others land in prison. All ethnic groups participate in crime, but one has a new champion, Bill Cosby, who is willing to take on the likes of Jesse Jackson and his shorter, would-be successor. His advice, if taken, would prevent millions of heartaches and save tons of money.

Our next city manager is … ?

It’s beginning to look like Jim Vacalis, interim city manager, would rather coast until his retirement in a few years. Council is looking at replacements. I would like to name a local person that would grab the reins. He has always been politely generous with his advice to Council, and right on with his criticism of city management. His suggestions for change went right to the top of the Suffolk ladder, and he was never bashful about it.

He always offered wise solutions for problems when he found fault with the administration. He is the most articulate, straight-to-the-point man I know … Roger Leonard would be my choice.

robert.pocklington@suffolknewsherald.com