OK, Just so you all don't think I am one of those ultra liberals who are more concerned about being PC than about protecting our citizens and keeping us safe here in the U.S., let me just say this about that:

Immediately following 9/11 I was, and am still, of the opinion that any and all non-citizens visiting here from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and any other country, particularly Middle Eastern countries with strong, vocal, Islamic Fundamentalists, ever remotely affiliated or suspected of ties to terrorism, should be rounded up, wished a fond farewell, and repatriated back to the land from whence they came. I really believe this!

I feel that the natural born and naturalized citizens in this country come first. The rest are here as visitors and guests, and as much as would pain me to have to resort such a drastic measure, the safety and security of American citizens should come first.

It is not a matter of racism, it is merely a question of identifying which countries are/were involved in 9/11 and other acts of terrorism, and no longer allowing them to visit this country. It was never their right to do so, it was a privelege, a courtesy the U.S. extended. I don't feel that allowing these foreign nationals to remain here is in the best interests of those of us who are actual American citizens. We are not, nor should we be, required to allow potential enemies of our country free access to our borders. The risk is too great.

The Constitution outlines rights and protections for American citizens. I do not believe that we are required to extend those to foreign nationals during times of crisis and war which may jeopordize the lives and safety of the citizens of our country. Citizens and their safety, and their freedom, and their rights, should come first.

Do I believe that this would totally eliminate any threats or risks? NO! But it would certainly decrease them! I was born here. Others who immigrated and sought citizenship through naturalization have made an investment and commitment to this nation. Is it possible that a terrorist could have become a naturalized citizen before 9/11? YES! But we should not, IMHO, be required to take chances with foreign nationals visiting on visas and such. Sorry! Don't blame us, blame your fellow countrymen who have ruined it for you by attacking us.

As far as airport security and such, we can't just search people who "look Arab"! Nor should we NOT search people who "look Arab" just to prove we aren't profiling. Unfortunately, the only solution is to search everyone! If that's the price we have to pay for security, so be it! I don't mind showing up 2 hours or more before my flight, waiting in line, and being searched, as long as EVERYONE is being searched, if it means helping to protect our country. Inconvenient? Maybe. Necessary? I think so!

There is alot of validity to the points made about profiling being a very dirty business. There is also alot of validity to what some of you, who I may disagree strongly with on some other issues, point out about who the enemy in the war on terror obviously is. But we must proceed very cautiously on this matter, as there is a terribly slippery slope involved, which could set dangerous precedents and lead to the undoing of much of our freedoms and protections.

The Patriot Act is not evil in its supposedly intended purpose. The problem with it is that it is very broad, and sets such a dangerous precedent and edges us toward that slippery slope. You cannot write a law in this country that only applies to certain ethnicities and nationalities. That IS discrimination. But again, we are not, nor should we be, obliged to allow foreign nationals from countries that are hostile towards us, to visit this land after the vicious attack we suffered on 9/11/01.

Now can we get back to the economy and taxes and the wealthy?!