Citizen Outrage Restores Sanity to Security Bill

An agreement has been reached between both Houses of Congress on a new security bill that implements most of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The bill had been in jeopardy due to the Democrats' deletion of a key provision protecting citizens from civil lawsuits when they report potential terrorist activity, such as on airlines.

The so-called 'Flying Imams' who were booted from a U.S. Air flight are attempting to sue the individual citizens on that plane who reported their suspicious behavior.

A key provision in a previous security bill passed by the Republican Congress prior to 2006, however, prevented such a lawsuit from going forward.

Democrats were intent on removing that provision from the new security bill. When the bill was presented before the House, Democrats succeeded in approving the measure without the protection of citizens, over the strenuous objections of House Republicans.

When the bill reached the Senate another major roadblock was set up in its tracks not only by Senate Republicans but also by Senator Joe Lieberman, former Democrat and now Independent Senator from Connecticut.

Lieberman was insistent that any new measure on homeland security contain a provision that protects ordinary citizens from being targets for lawsuits brought by Muslim extremists when those citizens report suspicious activity.

Lieberman was joined by many others, including Republican Representative Peter King, R-NY, to insure that sanity be restored to a bill that purports to make the nation safer. Such a goal is impossible when citizens find themselves in a 'catch 22,' i.e., report suspicious behavior and be sued by Muslim extremists, or remain silent and watch terrorists blow up Fort Dix.

These courageous statesmen were joined by a myriad of voices of outraged citizens who let their voices be heard in Congress. The bloggers, the radio talk shows, and other bands of citizens went to work to inundate Congress with their displeasure over the attempt to make citizens vulnerable when they report possible terrorist activity.

Apparently this time, Congress paid attention.

With the proper protection of citizen watchdogs in place, the new security bill is now set for approval by both the House and the Senate.

But remember who wanted to make citizens vulnerable to being sued by terrorist suspects.