Recently the New York Police Department and the Department of
Homeland Security uncovered a terrorist plot that targeted JFK
International Airport. The suspect's plans were to attack the
pipelines that carry jet fuel from refineries in Linden, New
Jersey to the airport in Queens. It was intended to be a series
of coordinated explosions meant to destroy the airport in a
massive chain reaction. A few weeks prior to this the Department
of Homeland Security uncovered a terrorist plot that targeted
soldiers residing in Fort Dix, New Jersey. The plot to gun down
our service members probably would not have been discovered
without the assistance of a concerned civilian who reported the
suspect's suspicious activity. What surprises me most is that
although these horrific plots were uncovered and although Long
Island is at great risk hardly anyone acknowledges the threat.
It is apparent that the United States is hated by most of the
world. From my experiences I can testify that much of the
animosity towards our lifestyle and diversified culture stems
from jealousy. As stated previously, I encountered insurgents
from all over the world while in Iraq. There were many that
lived in our backyard at one time or another. Given that and the
current events it is easy to believe that there are many
terrorists that still live amongst us. What's ironic is that
these men, while here, will adapt to our peaceful lifestyle,
take advantage of every opportunity afforded to them by our
generous government and taxpayers, yet they still embrace a
destructive mindset and spite our great country with plots such
as the ones uncovered.
Ignoring the threat does not make it go away. It does not mean
an absence of conflict. The Clinton Administration proved this.
You may or may not agree with President Bush's policies in Iraq
but please, my fellow Long Islanders, you must support and
applaud his efforts to keep our lands safe. The spite of these
insurgents is so great they will cross many borders with as
little as the clothes on their backs just to try and bring harm
to innocent people. Do not forget we are the most vulnerable of
all.
- Spc. Esposito
