As you may know, this past Friday, the 8th of April I testified before a hearing that was conducted by the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. The purpose of the hearing was to assess how efforts to secure New York State against the potential of a terrorist attack have been progressing as we approach the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Incredibly there are efforts currently underway to have New York State enact its own version of the “DREAM Act” that would provide illegal aliens who were under the age of 35 to be provided with drivers licenses and opportunities for illegal aliens living in New York State. During my appearance before the hearing Greg Ball, the committee chairman asked me about the issue of providing drivers licenses to illegal aliens. You can imagine my response!
I have been told that the issue of driver’s licenses for illegal aliens in New York State, which is incredibly rearing its ugly head again, will be the focus of a hearing before this same Senate committee next month in Albany. I am expecting to be called to provide testimony at that hearing as well.
Here is my prepared testimony for the hearing of April 8th:
Here is a link to the lengthy (5 hour) video that was posted on YouTube of the hearing at which Rep. Peter King, and I testified along with many other experts in various threats confronting New York and our nation (Rep. King was the first witness and I was the third):
Here is another link to the video of that hearing that appears on the official website for Greg Ball, the Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs:
http://www.nysenate.gov/event/2011/apr/08/consider-opportunities-improved-new-york-state-s-homeland-security-operations-and-
A number of experts provided their perspectives on a wide variety of issues. In one case it was that pointed out that radio networks still do not provide adequate communications between various law enforcement and first responders and between the field and command centers. Other vulnerabilities of extreme seriousness were also discussed while the issue of how radical Islamists pose a threat to the safety of our nation- an issue that New York State Senator Eric Adams took extreme issue with. Adams is a retired New York City Police captain.
I would urge you to take the time and watch the video to understand how much more needs to be done. In many ways the problems that New York State faces to provide for the security of those who live, work and visit New York State also plague the other states of our nation and, indeed, our nation itself!
Ignorance is not bliss! We must do all we can to educate ourselves about the threats that confront our nation, our states and our cities and communities to better make our elected officials accountable! This is the work all Americans must do!
If our country is to survive and if our children and their children are to get their share of the “American Dream” the citizens of this nation must take their citizenship seriously!
We the People must be the best citizens we can be, citizens who are worthy of the gallantry demonstrated by our valiant men and women in the military, law enforcement and firefighters, who routinely go in harm’s way in defense of this nation and our citizens.
My goal in writing this and other commentaries is to point out our nations many failings before more victims pay the ultimate price for the incompetence and ineptitude of our government.
The first step in problem-solving is to first identify the problems and vulnerabilities and then devise strategies to overcome them.
If you find yourself to be in agreement with this commentary, I ask that you forward it to as many of your friends and family members as possible and encourage them to do the same. We need to create a “Bucket Brigade of Truth!”
The practice of good citizenship does not end in the voting booth, it only begins there.
The large scale apathy demonstrated by citizens of this nation has emboldened elected representatives to all but ignore the needs of the average American citizen in a quest for massive campaign funds and the promises of votes to be ostensibly delivered by special interest groups. There is much that we cannot do but there is one thing that We the People absolutely must do- we must stop sitting on the sidelines!
The collective failure of We the People to get involved in make our concerns known to our politicians have nearly made the concerns of the great majority of the citizens of this nation all but irrelevant to the politicians. I implore you to resolve this year to get involved!
I believe our nation’s is greatly benefited by the rich diversity of our people which is why I could never imagine living anywhere except New York City, arguably the most diverse city in our nation if not, in fact, the world. However, my idea of diversity most certainly does not include members of MS-13, the Mexican drug cartels or members of other transnational gangs or members of al-Qaeda!
If this situation concerns you or especially if it angers you, I ask you to call your Senators and Congressional “Representative. This is not only your right- it is your obligation!
All I ask is that you make it clear to our politicians that we are not as dumb as they hope we are!
We live in a perilous world and in a perilous era. The survival of our nation and the lives of our citizens hang in the balance.
This is neither a Conservative issue, nor is it a Liberal issue- simply stated; this is most certainly an AMERICAN issue!
You are either part of the solution or you are a part of the problem!
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Lead, follow or get out of the way!