The Ultimate Safety...

Patriots, it is said, work towards the ultimate safety of their country and its citizens. I agree. In what venue that work is done, however, can make all the difference to achieving such ultimate safety.

Recent events regarding airport security and terrorist activities led to a discussion with friends about where this country, and our culture, is headed. Now, if you think this is going to be a political rant - HA, GOTCHA..! It's actually about something more real. So, here goes....

To be honest, the conversation did start out politically (a lot of them do) with the question: "So how can we protect ourselves from the terrorists....?" Varying opinions were held forth about one method or another, about particular legislation, regulations or restrictions.

I was quiet. This alone garnered attention since, as I'm sure friends will tell you, I am not frequently quiet. When prompted I made clear that the discussion had been avoiding what, in my opinion, was the *real* issue -- science. What ensued was a marathon session of give and take that spanned the consumption of many beers and several bowls of nacho chips, homemade salsa and guacamole.

Here's the bottom line -- it is my opinion that what this country needs to do is to embrace wholeheartedly a culture of scientific achievement; to strive for and to maintain the highest possible technological development. In short, the idea is to be operating at a level where, frankly, we don't really care what kind of hatred subversive groups may shoot in our direction because there would be nothing they could do to really harm us.

This achievement would also have the side benefit of removing the spectre of armed conflict from our national life. After survival and personal safety, most wars are spawned from greed or the desire for power. Having achieved such a progressive state of existence, what would anyone else have that we would possible want to fight over..?

I know. I've already heard all the comments about "unrealistic," "daydreamer," "science fiction scenario," etc. My response: those are the excuses. Often they're offered up by the wimps, the ones who don't have the the vision, the intellectual discipline or the basic resolve to assume responsible leadership for molding such a future. Also, far worse, this attitude frequently comes from those who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo because that's where the profits are..!

Through all criticims, however, I maintain that such a future is possible because all of the technological or scientific wonders that today we take for granted were once derided as the fevered dreams of madmen; it was once, all of it, thought of as science fiction or fantasy.

One of my favorite toasts goes as follows: "Here's to shaping our own future -- before someone else shapes it for us."

I want this country to shape a future where we need fear no one or nothing, because we have thought and built our way up to the high ground; because we have constructed a cultural ramp up to the highest pinnacle of knowledge and insight, standing solidly upon a technological watch tower that affords a unique vantage point for survey, allowing us to espy enemies, natural or human, inimical to our continued progress and achievement.

All it takes is the will to do it.

I think I need to go make more salsa....