Whom should we fear more? The common criminal or the terrorist?

It's the common criminal people fear most. A criminal causes more pain, suffering and havoc than the terrorist.

The criminal costs our national economy millions of dollars. The criminal (not the terrorist) has a bigger impact on our lives.

We fear going into certain areas of our cities. The elderly fear being mugged and robbed. Our youths are beaten, shot and killed.

Women live in fear of being attacked and raped. We fear our children will be abducted and killed -- not just in public places, but in our own homes.

Criminals -- a different type of terrorist than the political terrorist we fear -- are causing so much more trauma, pain and suffering.

Many criminals are in gangs that destroy scores of lives. Gangs promote violence, drugs and gang culture. Ominously, no one knows how many gang members exist or how well they are armed.

Our youths pack guns and deal drugs practically everywhere -- including our schools.

Just as we have a zero-
tolerance policy against terrorists, we should have a zero-
tolerance policy against criminals.

We deserve and demand a safer society for ourselves, our children and their children. Genuine freedom includes not being victimized by crimials.

Our freedom, safety and security are paramount and must be preserved at any cost


Jose Gonzalez