It's Christmas day but not everyone is celebrating.  Yasser Arafat has been denied entry into Bethlehem by the Israeli Government for not doing enough to 'combat terrorism'. 

There was allot of international outrage at the Israelis actions coming from the Pope, United States and religious leaders worldwide.

Meanwhile back in Afghanistan it was back to normal.  There was things falling from the sky but they weren't coming from Santa Claus.  B-52s and other combat aircraft were raining down bombs in Tora Bora and other strategic targets as Special Forces troops tried to find the ever elusive Osama Bin Laden. 

Despite everyone saying that it will never be the same after the September 11th attacks, nothing has really changed.  We are still living in one of the most secure and safe countries in the world despite our very open society.  There was still tens of millions of Christmas cards mailed, long lines at department stores, and Salvation Army bell ringers.  Having an open society like we do not only gives us immense freedom but also opens us up to those who wish to take it away.  Fighting to keep our society free while protecting it is an immense challenge but a challenge everyone should champion.  


(© MMI Alan T. Peto. All Rights Reserved.)