An interesting collection of political conspiracy theories and fear mongering that I would expect by someone already well known for it, and who wants to get some attention from the Paris attacks and the subway fires this last week, by somehow linking them together.

I worked on funding some of the security improvements on rail and bus systems in and around LA for 8 years after 9/11. We installed and integrated data and video from many public transit and highway agencies, and made it available to law enforcement to enhance surveillance and security of these systems, and to reduce other unpleasant things like crime and vandalism. And, without going into details that might be helpful to those intent on harming us, our systems are way more secure than these systems were before 9/11, and continue to be.

While we have to be vigilant against Jihadi psychopaths, it should be noted that just last week alone, there were three home grown domestic terrorist incidents, including one to kill cops and TSA personnel in Georgia which lead to arrest of the conspirators, and at least one actual bombing in Colorado. And, it should also be noted, with shame, that Nichols and McVey still have the dubious distinction of holding the domestic terrorist murder record. And, that their cronies in an Arizona terrorist organization are still suspected by many, in the largest unsolved domestic rail terrorist attack, on the Sunset Limited in Arizona.

So while Michelle wants to scare you this week with fears of Jihadi losers, there are plenty of other losers to worry about out there, too. The timely and creative use of the two subway fires to point to some kind of threat from terrorist's was a nice touch too. Although both incidents clearly appear to have non terrorist causes.

The purpose of terror is to terrorize, as Lenin once noted. That is to sow the seeds of fear and uncertainty to create opportunities for political advantage and to take political power. And, like Lenin, the purpose of Michelle Malkin's story also seems to be to more about sowing fear for political advantage, than about meeting the real threats we face.

We are always vulnerable in a free society. The very freedom we enjoy and cherish, by its very nature, makes us vulnerable. And, if someone really wants to do something awful, like walk into a school in Sandy Hook, they obviously can.

But, I'm not going to stop using the subway or the Gold Line, due to the dubious assertions and obvious fear mongering of someone like Malkin, or due to intimidation from a bunch of ISIS or Al Quaeda Jihadi losers. If we do that, then these terrorist's do win.

So, if you see something, say something is still a good policy when riding transit, or in any other situation where you see potential criminal acts. And, the next time you throw trash down onto the tracks in the subway station (the cause of most subway fires....?) remember that you are being watched.