We need Kirk for security expertise

The attempted Christmas Day bombing of Flight 253 should teach us a number of things. First, we should thank God for our good fortune that the would-be mass-murderer and his allies were too incompetent to build a proper bomb.

Second, we should not rely on similar good fortune in the future.

We need as many national security experts as possible in Washington, which is why I support Congressman Mark Kirk in his bid for US Senate. Kirk has made improving airport security a priority. He risked the ire of the ACLU and others when he opposed an amendment that would have banned the type of full-body scan machines that many airports are now installing to prevent future attacks like the Flight 253 bombing attempt.

He authored language to require that all TSA baggage scanners be U.S. nationals, and he co-sponsored legislation to crackdown severely on fake TSA security badges. Kirk is a recognized expert on wider national security issues as well.

He was the first lawmaker to suggest targeting Iran's gasoline imports as a way to apply genuine pressure to its regime. He has taken the lead in Congress in helping to ensure Israel's security by securing advanced missile defenses to guard against possible future missile attacks from Iran.

Kirk serves as an intelligence officer in the naval reserve and serves at the Pentagon. He knows better than any other member of Congress the threats we face.

Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab's cowardly attack proved once again that we cannot afford to let down our guard when it comes to security. With Mark Kirk in Washington, we can be sure that he will do his utmost to ensure that never happens.

I am voting for Mark Kirk, and I encourage everyone else who makes national security a priority to do so as well.

Andy Lappin

Glencoe