When Muslim terrorists struck on September 11, 2001 the country united. But that did not last too long, perhaps because Americans have it so good that we would rather not think about the danger we still face from other jihadis who have promised much worse in the future.

Islamic terrorists tend to repeat their crimes unless they find that the desired effect is not attained. We need to be clear what their ultimate objective is. It is nothing short of extending the political rule of Islam over all the earth. Since this is taught in the Quran and the Haddith, the two main Muslim holy books, we have to admit that the terrorists have a basis for their dream of a worldwide Caliphate.

A large Middle school in Beslan, Russia (in the Caucuses) was the target of fifty Muslim terrorists on September 1, 2003, the first day of school. The nearly 1000 students present at the time of the attack ranged in ages from six to seventeen. After the initial chaos in which many escaped, the terrorists had managed to capture about 1300 people, including teachers and townsmen. In at least in a few cases, they captured entire families.

Early on, the terrorists told their captives, “We have come to die with you.” Since Muhammad allowed lying to infidels and apostates (any Muslim you don’t agree with), this was no lie. It had its intended effect on the frightened victims.

Initially, the terrorists had no demands — a confirmation that they indeed had come to die with the infidels.

A number of lessons can be learned from Beslan according to John Giduck, a counter-terrorism consultant who has authored Terror at Beslan based on his three trips to that city of 40,000.

The initial Russian response was to seek to negotiate in spite of their stated policy of no negotiations. Giduck argues that the only reason for the authorities to negotiate is to buy time to get the necessary forces in position. Then, he argues, the attack must take place immediately. Since the terrorists aim to kill as many as possible, consider that all the hostages are dead men walking. At least an early attack gives the terrorists less time to prepare their defenses including barricading doors and booby trapping entry points and key passageways.

Would Muslim terrorists attempt a Beslan-style schoolyard massacred in this country? Well, if hijacking planes proves to be too difficult a task because of our newly-armed pilots, then the next best plan of attack would be to target an area where guns are banned… like schools.

Given this fact, our laws should be changed to reflect the fact that a terrorist attack at a school is an act of war. The rules of engagement must reflect that. As the attack progresses, any terrorist seen on the ground must be given two shots to the head lest they blow themselves up when they can kill more victims who might be going by. The objective must be to kill all the terrorists as soon as possible. This is not a police operation to gather evidence and take prisoners.

In view of the viciousness of the terrorists, Giduck argues that security must be beefed up in a number of ways at schools, not the least of which is to do what the Israelis have done for some time. Namely, all adults working at schools must be armed.

Would handgun-wielding school personnel be able to repulse a terrorist attack in this country? Giduck thinks it is possible because the terrorists have left their vehicles running at every school they have hit heretofore. This suggests that they are willing to retreat and attack another day at another place. They don’t mind dying, but they want an extended event designed to sap the will of the country to resist. They want a nation of dhimmis — subjects with about the same rights as slaves. Dhimmitude has always been the fate of non-Muslims in conquered nations.

Would school personnel survive such an initial encounter with the Muslim murderers if they fight back? Not likely, but it still might be enough to throw the punks off their plan and drive them to retreat — from that attack. The gain, of course, would be the saving of countless lives.

The lack of internal defense and the long wait at Beslan prior to the attack on the third day led to the death of 334 people, 160 of whom were children.

Not to be prepared to shoot back should be viewed as aiding and abetting jihad.