Thank you, CIA

The attempted terrorist attack was (praise God) a dismal failure. The terrorist managed only to hurt himself (and one or two heroic passengers who'll get a book deal--and good for them).

That's one.

I guarantee you there are dozens more that are fully thwarted by the CIA, Homeland Security, and the FBI. We'll never hear about them (well, maybe in 25 years after the Freedom of Information Act kicks in). I heard someone complain that they all missed the Christmas bomber, and I appreciate that the nation's security can't answer criticism with a list of all they do to keep the country safe. But they are.

In one sense, it's too bad. By keeping it a secret, we Americans too easily buy into the idea that we're all civilized and that if we just treat the barbarians nicely, they'll become civilized, too. They won't. And because they won't, the watchmen at the gate stand ready; and we who slumber inside the walls do so only because these good men and women sacrifice career, family, and wealth to do what we do not often enough thank them enough for.

So thank you, secret agent men & women. May God bless and keep you in your ceaseless toil!