Prevention, Not Preparedness, Is Key When Dealing with Terrorism at Ole Miss

http://http//articles.cnn.com/2010-11-27/justice/oregon.bomb.plot_1_tree-lighting-justice-department-portland-resident?_s=PM:CRIME

Prevention, Not Preparedness, Is Key When Dealing with Terrorism at Ole Miss

Amidst the joy of the holiday season in the quain city of Portland, Oregon, residents attending the annual tree lighting ceremony were in for a scare when they heard of a potential bomb threat set by a 19-year-old Oregon State University student, who also had ties to the well-known terrorist group Al-Qaeda.

While the Ole Miss community does not seem a likely target for a terrorist attack, Dr. Cark Jensen, Director of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies disagreed. "A terrorist attack is as likely in Oxford as any other place in America", Dr. Jensen said.

Junior legal studies major Lauren Hoemke agreed. "It wouldn't suprise me", she said, "Majoring in legal studies has really opened my eyes to how easy it is to make and obtain serious weapons.

Though intelligence and security studies is only a minor at Ole Miss, when it is combined with majors such as computer science, engineering, and foreign languages, it will play a critical role in preventing future attacks. "My fondest hope is that one of our graduates will be the key to preventing the next 9-11", said Dr. Jensen.

Dr. Jensen, as well as his students, would all have the same approach if there was a terrorist attack at Ole Miss today. "The goal is to prevent terrorist attacks before they occur", he said.

Elizabeth Younger, a junior international studies major, had the same mindset as her professor Dr. Jensen. "With the skills I've learned in the minor, I hope I could identify and prevent that type of threat before it could become a reality."

"Your chances of dying on the interstate in a car crash are exponentially larger than your chances of becoming a victim of terrorism", Dr. Jensen said, "but I also try to keep my eyes open and behave as any good citizen would."

Hoemke echoed Dr Jensen's thoughts. "While the chances of an attack are not as high up as they could be, it is important for all students to be ready and educated because terrorism issues are big issues."

University Police Department and Oxford Police Department could not be reached for comment.