03-07-11: Border Patrol Agents Defending Themselves with Bean-Bags? (Plus:Gadi Adelman)

The Alarm Has Been Ringing: It's Past 9:11 and Time to Wake Up! Gadi Adelman 1993 should have been a wakeup call, when terrorism hit us here at home, but we hit the snooze button. On 9/11, 2001, the alarm sounded louder. So why are we still asleep? * VIDEOS * TODAY'S HOT PICKS * 1. Video: Sarah Palin: Kathy Griffin a ‘50-Year-Old Adult Bully... Has-Been Comedienne' 2. New German Minister: Islam Does Not Belong In Germany 3. Video: Congress to Hold Hearings on Threats from Radical Muslims 4. Video: Health and Human Services Secretary: Yes, we're double-counting Medicare savings 5. Video: Santelli: 'Good' Jobs Report Has Dark Side 6. Number Of Healthcare Reform Law Waivers Climbs above 1,000 7. Scores of Union Leaders Earn Six-Figure Salaries 8. Video: Newsweek's Evan Thomas Takes on Mark Shields, Nina Totenberg and the NYT 9. Video: ‘Joe the Plumber' Goes to Madison 10. Video: Michael Moore Rallies Wisconsin Pro-Union Protesters Border Patrol Agents Defending Themselves with Bean-Bags? Michael Cutler The southern border with Mexico is one of the most dangerous regions of America, but the rules of engagement for border patrol agents are likened to using bean-bags as defense. Forfeiting U.S. Leadership in Space William R. Hawkins Last Thursday, China announced its new rocket production center is nearly complete, a massive project that will ultimately eclipse American current ambitions in space. Whose Vision Will Build the New Egypt? Amir Taheri The future direction of Egypt will have a direct bearing on U.S. and Israeli influence. Who are the people whose visions for the future will mold the new Egypt? Holding Egypt's New Government to a Count Gary H. Johnson, Jr. How many Copts are in Egypt? Some say only 4 million, while others suggest the figure is as high as 14 million. For some political groups, it pays to downsize this Christian minority. Vin's Notes on Islamism Vin Ienco Part two of our regular weekly round-up of Islamist events around the world. Jean-Jacques Jihad Andrew McCarthy There is a reason leftists and Islamists collaborate: totalitarianism. Today's Hot Topics We choose, you peruse. 1. House panel to look at radicalization of U.S. Muslims (WT) 2. America's secret plan to arm Libya's rebels (INDEPENDENT UK) 3. British Soldiers Reportedly Captured by Libyan Rebels During Secret Mission (FOX) 4. Mexico's President: ‘Anti-American Feeling in Mexico Is Growing' Because of Public's ‘Perception' About Illegal Immigrants (CNS) 5. Libya crisis sends U.S. gas prices up 33 cents in two weeks (CNN) 6. British Special Forces Squad - Captured by Libyan Rebels (TELEGRAPH) 7. Utah Passes Arizona-Style Immigration Law (NPR) 8. Union supporters disrupt GOP state senators' restaurant meal (DISPATCH POLITICS) 9. Harvard Professors Hauled in Big Cash Consulting for Gadhafi (BOSTON GLOBE) 10. Former Bush Social Security adviser says 'ship has sailed' on personal retirement accounts (DC CALLER) 11. NYT Hit Piece on Glenn Beck: Fox May Not Renew His Contract (NYT) Joint Strike Force Combat Operations Excerpt from the Stand Up America Lily Pad Strategy Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, US Army (Ret) The U.S. security establishment must return to other, more logical methods to eliminate armed enemies... 'Shadows' of D.C. Statehood Salena Zito The District of Columbia has remained a district, without full representation in Congress, despite campaigning for statehood since 1801. The Masters of Al-Jazeera Imprison a Blogger Cliff Kincaid Al-Jazeera's existence depends upon the Qatar government. Despite Al-Jazeera's claim to be a voice of the people, its Qatari sponsors have arrested a blogger for expressing his own opinions... Mosques Flourish in America; Churches Perish in Muslim World Raymond Ibrahim While Islamists complain about Western "Islamophobia" while building mosques, their MidEast counterparts are engaged in persecution and repression of non-Muslims. Union Power is Symptom of What Ails Us Star Parker Some union activists improve their lot not through personal responsibility, self-improvement and service but by taking what others have through threats and force... The Elephant in the Room Leslie Sacks The media and chattering classes are content to label George W. Bush as a goon, while ignoring the obvious fact: Iraq is now stable and has a working elected government. Imam Musri, a Hamas Fundraiser Event, and The Muslim Brotherhood Alan Kornman The influential Florida Imam, Muhammad Musri, from a mosque owned by NAIT - a Muslim Brotherhood group and unindicted coconspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial - is either very forgetful or in deep denial... Somali Piracy: Another Islamic War Front Edward Cline It is unlikely that the Somali pirates expected to collect much of a ransom from the murdered Americans. It is likely that they were holding the U.S. government hostage... The New Middle East: If the mullahs aren't overthrown, it will be a very dark and dangerous place. Caroline Glick Iran is reaching out to get a grip on the Middle East as the primary regional engine of war, terror, nuclear proliferation and instability. The Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Social Security---Priceless Frank Hill Believe it or not - FDR's introduction of Social Security would not have passed Congress unless the Blue Ridge Parkway was built in the North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains. Click here to sign up for FSM's e-mail updates!