No worries, be happy?

By Manuel C. Coppola
Published Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:54 AM MDT

As predicted, the indictment of 24-year-old Najibullah Zazi, a legal permanent resident of the United States from Afghanistan, on a charge of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction has stirred up the concern and paranoia in certain sectors.

While leisurely enjoying my American freedoms on Sunday, for example, I received a lengthy e-mail from my neighbor George. I love the guy, but why does he send me this stuff on such a lazy day?

His e-mail included, among other snippets, stanzas from “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” a press release from the FBI, and 10 examples of how terrorists can and will penetrate our sacred nation if we as citizens are not more vigilant.

He prefaced all this with, “This is information complete with historical facts that every American needs to be familiar with. The future of our nation depends on understanding these things.”

It took some effort to regain my composure. I momentarily envisioned hordes of Taliban crawling out of 20 tunnels on International Street, AK-47s in hand, picking off Border Patrol agents one by one and occupying Old Town Hall and Morley Avenue. Meanwhile, most of us are sleeping in, nursing hangovers, watching Sunday newsmagazines, or sipping on coffee reading the funny papers.

Then I tried comforting myself, believing that the chances of such a scenario are as remote as me winning the Power Ball. But then again, the little George inside of me said, “Wasn’t it this type of complacency that made it so easy for terrorists to attack the World Trade Center in the first place?”

The only thing I could think of was to e-mail him back the Serenity Prayer. I read it over and over myself, then turned up the iTunes and went back to my crossword puzzle.

(Write us at 268 W. View Point Dr., Nogales, Ariz., 85621 or manuel.coppola@nogalesinternational.com.)

Print this story Post A Comment

Comments

George Wilgers wrote on Oct 5, 2009 2:59 PM:

" Well said Mr. Frederick. "

Larry Frederick wrote on Sep 30, 2009 9:31 PM:

" Maybe more important than watching for things "out of the ordinary" is just knowing what IS ordinary...knowing our neighbors...caring about our community. Being neighborly is about including everybody in the circle. This starts to provide security in a positive way...not by being intrusive or taking away rights, but by supporting people who are no longer strangers, but friends now. Bank tellers aren't taught to recognize counterfeit bills, but rather to know the real thing when they see it. That way the counterfeit becomes obvious. If we know what belongs in our neighborhood and community, then when things "don't fit" it will be obvious. Caring about our family, our friends, and our community may not be as militant as vigilance, but ultimately it is much the same thing. It's about being aware of what's going on around you...without all the fear thrown in. "

Me wrote on Sep 29, 2009 5:41 PM:

" Religion plays a big role in current events, in how we see things, and how we think, especially in this war we are fighting.

Always remember that many Armed Forces members have done thier duty, and many have paid the ultimate price, including civilian contractors. It is time for our citizens to start doing their duties and it starts at home... take care of your families and neighborhoods.

Report all suspicious activities, and you will be gratified with ... FREEDOM! "

George Wilgers wrote on Sep 29, 2009 10:22 AM:

" We live in some what dangerous times. There is a whole group of individuals that would like nothing better than to make America fail.

Vigilence is a price we should pay for our freedoms. We should not cry for the government to take our freedoms to gauruntee us safety.

It takes vigilence to protect our homes and neighborhoods from crime and drugs. And it will take vigilence to protect us from terrorists.

Mr. Coppola is correct that the odds are astronomical, yet people do win the PowerBall Jackpot. And Terrorists have been able to hit the country. Both only really have to happen to someone you know and love once to make you believe.

BUT that does not mean we need to become paranoid about watching what everyone else is doing. Just pay attention to the out of the ordinary. "

Write a Comment

You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.

Registered users sign in here:

Become a Registered User

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login? (requires cookies)
	Forgot Your Password?

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
	(children under 13 cannot register)
*First Name:
*Last Name:
Home Phone:
*Address:
*City:
*State:
*Zip Code:

Classifieds

View Print ads
View All Ads
Place an Ad

Contact Us

Contact Nogales International
268 W. View Point Dr.
Nogales, AZ, 85621
Main #: (520) 375-5760
Fax: (520) 761-3115
Web Advertisers
Print Ad Rates

Nogales International

United States Census 2010