An important message from William Webb:
During the past two years, I have served as a homeland security consultant and am finishing a book on the subject. From many discussions I’ve had with literally hundreds of people, I’ve come to believe passionately that it is time to start a grassroots organization focusing on influencing homeland security policy and dialogue at the national level.
Homeland security is too important an issue to be left to political maneuvering, special interest pressures, and business-as-usual in Washington DC. Although everyone is “in favor” of protecting the USA, the hard reality is that protecting one’s own interests often takes priority–and we can no longer afford it.
It is time for people like you and me to let our voices be heard on the issues making up homeland security in this great nation of ours. After all, homeland security is about public safety–it’s about keeping you and your family safe from violent attacks. When there is a direct economic consequence the American people can and do speak loudly on behalf of safety and security–ask the folks at Firestone who made a million tires that had to be recalled and replaced. The difficulty with homeland security is that there is no direct method to affect policy. We don’t have the option to boycott a product and take our business elsewhere. So what can we do? We can organize, educate, and speak up.
We need to create a new grassroots effort to address the deadly serious security problems that everyone faces in today’s complicated world. Ideally, it should be an organization that is apolitical and is supported by people of all political persuasions. The threats we will face as Americans for the foreseeable future will not discriminate among republicans, democrats, independents or whatever else you may call yourself. Terrorists attacks are nothing if not egalitarian.
Many advocacy groups have effectively used the Internet to raise money and increase awareness of a variety of important issues. The 2004 presidential campaigns have energized grassroots participation in the political process. The time has come to bring this sharp focus and broad participation to the critical matter of homeland security. By raising awareness, educating the public on the real risks, and pooling our resources to take our message to the Congress and the people of the United States, we can become an effective voice at the national level to help guide homeland security policy and bring sanity to this critical responsibility of our federal government.
It’s time for a new organization to champion this vital cause. I invite those of you who agree to click here and contact me with your ideas. Let’s begin now.