Responding to Threats

We hear a lot of the war on terror being fought in various parts of the world. In some ways it seems we need to fight a war against terror within our own borders. In Bristol Township Pa. terror may have won.

Tyrone Lewis is the Senior Class President of Truman High School. The class of 2006 is scheduled to graduate tomorrow (June 9th). Lewis was suppose to give a commencement address to his classmates, but will now have to give his speech by video live feed from another location. It seems police have "credible" information of death threats on Tyrone Lewis' life and feel they need to protect the students and their families from the possibility of an attack by a street gang.

Why is he a target? His sister was the driver of a car during a drive-by shooting/murder. She was able to plea bargain and was convicted of lesser charges in exchange for testifying against the murderer who is a member of a gang. Police believe the threats against Tyrone are a response to her promise to testify.

I understand the need for caution but it just seems to me that not allowing Tyrone to attend his graduation sends a message of fear. Street gangs were just given the power to disrupt public events in Bristol without even attending those events. Terroristic threats (be they from people outside our borders or inside) are not going away anytime soon. We need to protect ourselves, but we must do so without responding out of fear or in ways which give the terrorists control.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has the latest on this story here and here.

Independent Conservative links with Thugs Prevent a Teen From Being Able to Attend His Own Graduation.