'Ft. Dix Six' case shows threats can be close to us
The bill to tighten access to military installations gives us more teeth in the fight against terrorism in our society.
By Jim Saxton
The "Fort Dix Six" incident - the planned attack on our military base - is a clear reminder that terrorism is not confined to major U.S. cities or the Gaza Strip. For us, the threat can be as close to home as Cherry Hill.
It should really not come as a surprise that Fort Dix, among other regional bases, was a target. It is the nation's top mobilization post for the Army Reserve, readying more than 55,000 soldiers for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other global war on terror operations. At any given time, there are an average of 15,000 personnel on the post training.
I visited Fort Dix after the arrests and discussed base access issues with commanders there. As a result, I crafted legislation to tighten access to all U.S. military installations, yet still provide base commanders with some flexibility. U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, and U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, all of New Jersey, agreed to cosponsor the proposal.
Rather than the lengthy process of introducing a stand-alone bill and trying to get it out of committee, I had the opportunity to attach it in its entirety as a provision to the 2008 defense bill. The bill passed the full House May 17 and was sent to the Senate.
The measure requires federal background checks on unescorted civilian visitors and employees of vendors and contractors. This check would be combined with a search in the FBI's National Crime Information Center, and U.S. citizenship verification with the Department of Homeland Security. Commanders would have waiver discretion in specific instances.
We do not know how deeply foreign terrorist organizations have imbedded into our society. This concern was reaffirmed last week when I came across an article on an Islamic paramilitary-type compound in New York state that local residents have raised concerns over. The writer, Paul L. Williams, noted that license plates from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and New Jersey can be seen at the compound.
We do know al-Qaeda video broadcasts and Web sites are recruiting non-Muslims and non-Middle Eastern persons to carry out terrorism here. In fact, since 9/11 there have been more cases of "homegrown" Islamic terrorism plots, where U.S. citizens have been arrested for terrorist-related activity.
This domestic terrorist population may be in our colleges and universities. The Fort Dix conspirators worked as local roofers, taxi drivers and deliverymen. A seemingly normal life at some point becomes laden with violent ideology. These terrorists can draw inspiration from "jihadi" Web sites and propaganda. Or, they may receive direct guidance from foreign terrorist organizations.
Our country was built on democratic values and freedoms, and has always been host to immigrants from all over the world. Who wants to live in a constant state of paranoia and suspicion toward our neighbors? We'd prefer to focus on our work, families, school and enjoying the things life has to offer. It's our nature to become complacent - but somehow we need to raise our level of awareness to terrorism.
We can do this by taking advantage of community-based programs such as those offered by law enforcement or neighborhood watch programs as well as initiatives such as the New Jersey-based Community Anti-Terrorism Training Institute. Becoming educated about the threat is a basic first step.
Things we can do include: read more about movements such as Hamas and al-Qaeda; pay closer attention to which countries are funding our university Islamic studies programs; pay attention to what our children are learning in school and which Internet sites are promoting violence and radical ideology; and learn to recognize the early indicators that an individual is interested in terrorist ideology. Citizens should realize that not all immigrants are terrorists and not all terrorists are bearded men in their 20s.
The first line of defense resides with our citizens and local law enforcement.
Just as a store clerk alerted authorities to the suspicious video that led to the Fort Dix Six investigation, we all need to be more vigilant and cognizant of the threats around us.
Before this May 7 incident, it would have been difficult for Cherry Hill residents to believe there were terrorists living among us, eager to kill American soldiers. But, this is the unfortunate reality of today's dangerous world.