What is the NLP? How does membership of this group qualify a member to comment on national security?

I very much agree with the article. Terrorism using planes in the past 30 years is somthing we have all been aware of. It would have been more difficult to get box cutters past airport security prior to 9/11 in Australia as our hand luggage was always checked at major airports. Though in the USA, many airports were very relaxed with checking people. The ridiculous items being removed from passengers such as the ones mentioned and other itmes such as tweezers, sewing kits, nail clippers have taken the fear one step too far. This will not prevent an attack. There are many things to use on planes if one wanted to cause harm. Knife and fork anyone? Searching backpacks/bags at railways stations will not prevent an attack. Bombs can be made so small and minute that they could be hidden anywhere. Will they do body searches? Handbag Searches? Look under hats? Shoes? The attackers in London were carrying back packs and travelled during a busy rush hour. We cannot stop living, we cannot be marshalled into fenced areas on our way to work. We are giving in to the fear.
It is interesting to note, that the world changed after the great USA was attacked, yet when I was living in Houston Texas USA, (post 9/11), a friend of mine travelled back to Australia and nothing was checked! Not her main luggage, not her hand luggage. Although when I was leaving via LA last year, I was frisked and searched before being allowed into the Qantas area.

There are just too many ways for terrorists to attack.We could send our economy broke plugging every avenue of attack.It is the ordinary citizen that must be alert to strange behaviour.

The Brits copped a hiding from the German bombing in WW2,and they went to work reguardless.Our "Nanny State" has made us a tad whimpish.

Terrorism is to the governments of Britain, Australia and GB what the Reichstag fire was to Germany-an excuse to usher in police state laws whilst diverting the publics attention from their own malodourous machinations onto a shadowy "other" type enemy.

Opps, Telstra truth hitting headlines?-better bring in some new anti-terrorst laws-and let fear rule their lives!

Jellyback,you draw too long a bow with no arrows in your quiver to back your assertians.Really,equating the UK and Aust Govts with the Third Reich is leftest juvenile posturing.

The left is more worried about their power bases being eroded rather than dealing with tensions in our country they have helped create.ie Their open door policy to immigration during the 80's and 90's with no consideration of ,compatability,education,productivity or assimilation.

All immigrants should have intensive English classes and knowledge of a Nation that provides the prosperty they yearn.There should be a 5yr probation period before achieving citizenship.Access to social security during this period should also be limited.When we have all people committed to Aust ,we will have no terrorists to worrry about.

It is no accident that Aust is so prosperous.It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work of past generations that you and many others take for granted.

ARJAY

I'd go a lot further. I'd make serious adjustments to our history/social studies courses which specifically included close examination of pivotal points in history by which we have our current freedom.
I've mentioned them before in other threads but I'll add again here
Battle of Yarmuk was the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire militarily, (and the advance of militant Islam) then invasion of Spain, and the Battle of Tours in 732 where that same militant Islam was stopped. Then the Seige of Vienna in as recent at 1683 where 200,000 Muslims were routed as they tried to take over the rest of Europe. I'd name special days which commemorate the key people in thie stream of history for all our kids to contemplate.

I'd make sure also, that such things were raised with would be immigrants and that they understood our national view on the events, and were able to truly share our national view on such things. (might weed out some ratbags)

On security ? sheesh.. we are so vulnerable its not funny.
There is a reserviour close to melbourne, where a slight detour from the walking track could take you to the above dam wall area and.. u can fill in the blanks.

A much broader approach is needed and has to begin with all the things you metioned, along with an increasing sense of national identity and shared culture.

I've been watching a DVD this morning on North Korea, the degree of mind control and unrelenting socialisation is incredble. You have only ONE TV chanel which broadcasts all "Our great leader" stuff 5 hours a day, and a radio receiver in every kitchen which can only be turned 'down' but not 'off' which does similar stuff.

The kids have Revolutionary Politics lessons where they are asked "Now children, how many excellences does our great leader have ?" The mass games they do though is something out of this world.. truly great. But in a sicko TRUMAN kind of way.