For days members of the media, FBI, and DHS have been warning American citizens about possible ISIS or ISIS-inspired terror attacks in the US during the coming Fourth of July holiday. With each warning the phrase "remain vigilant' is mindlessly shot out like excreta from the rear of a large farm animal.
"DHS warns Americans to remain vigilant this Fourth of July weekend."
"The FBI is setting up command posts throughout the US and warns Americans celebrating Independence Day to remain vigilant."
Seriously? What exactly does that mean, and how does "remaining vigilant" protect us from jihadists with rifles in gun free zones? Let's look at a few terror scenarios and determine how remaining vigilant works to combat global jihad.
Scenario one: You and your family are enjoying a local Fourth of July parade when a man wearing a headscarf with Arabic writing jumps from the crowd of onlookers, produces a rifle and starts shooting members of the procession. Remain Vigilant!
Scenario two: You are at the mall to see a movie this Fourth of July weekend. Three 'ISIS-inspired gunmen' come from a department store spraying rifle fire into crowds lined up to buy movie tickets. Remain Vigilant!
Scenario three: You and a friend from weapons class meet to watch a ball game the night of the Fourth when shots ring out followed by screams and crowds of terrified spectators running for their lives. Don't touch your guns or employ any training. Remain vigilant! Sure, innocent people will die, thanks to your inactivity, but the important thing is you did exactly what the government and press corps expected. Nothing!
You get my contrived point. I, perhaps like you, am tired of DC security bureaucrats telling our well-armed society to essentially do nothing when jihadis attack our communities.
Obviously we should coordinate with local and federal law enforcement to report crime and potential acts of terror. I am simply promoting a change in thinking from our government by, instead of telling us to cower in hopeless fear if attacked, encouraging us to turn attacks on our attackers.
Stop telling us to "remain vigilant." We know to inform law enforcement of suspicious behavior, but attacks on innocents have to be immediately mitigated when law enforcement is unavailable.
WWIII has started, and it could be the longest violent conflict in human history; lasting until the irradiation of all Islamic jihadists or the moderation of Islam. Like it or not we are all participants and potential targets.
Report suspicious activity but know when to be a combatant in protecting innocent life. Don't just "remain vigilant". Be prepared to act.