[color="Blue"](It comes as no surprise that this "exchange program" is the work of a jew.)

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/14966867.htm

Posted on Wed, Jul. 05, 2006

Sheriff's captain observes Israeli security measures
Exchange program brings home new counterterrorism techniques

BY LILY GORDON
Staff Writer

May was an eye-opening month for Capt. Thomas L. Barnes of the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office.

Barnes spent most of that month in Israel, studying counterterrorism tactics as part of the the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange.

He was one member of a 17-person delegation chosen to spend two weeks in Israel observing and training with the Israeli police. During that time, the officers learned about the measures the Israeli police take to protect their citizens from terrorist acts.

[highlight]Those measures include the tight security necessary even for people to shop at the mall.

"They have a parking garage and every vehicle is searched, the trunk and everything, before you go in. You have one way in and one way out.

"Are we ready to take those types of measures here?" Barnes asked rhetorically. "Because I foresee that we will have to take some of those measures one day."[/highlight]

[highlight]The whole experience, Barnes said, was incredible on both a spiritual and educational level.[/highlight]

The Israeli police force spends the majority of its time fighting terrorism and, as a result, has geared its policing techniques to that specific area of protection, Barnes said.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, law enforcement agencies in the U.S. have begun to rethink traditional law enforcement practices and incorporate counterterrorism tactics into their training.

Practicing traditional law enforcement these days is just not proactive enough, Barnes said. The Georgia exchange program allows senior officials from around the country to experience firsthand how a country protects and serves its citizens in the face of daily threats and acts of terrorism.

Spiritual experience

A Baptist, Barnes said he appreciated the spiritual aspect of his journey. While in Israel from May 16-30, he visited the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, both in Jerusalem.

[color="blue"](What about the Holocaust Museum?)

One of his most moving experiences ever, Barnes said, was being re-baptized in the Jordan River.

"You had the white robe on and you were in there, in the river. It was awesome."

Before Barnes could take this pilgrimage to the Holy Land, however, he had to submit his resume and an essay explaining how his involvement in the exchange program would benefit his community. His credentials then went before a panel that selected the officials for the year's delegation, the program's 14th.

Barnes said he learned of the program from Sheriff Ralph Johnson, who took part in it in 2001. Johnson and Barnes are the only people currently employed in the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office who have participated.

While in Israel, Barnes attended classes, lectures and police briefings, toured various government buildings and police precincts, sampled the local cuisine, and spoke with local citizens.

One day, the group traveled to the Egyptian border where they were treated to a demonstration by the border guard on how they detect and handle smugglers. Barnes said he was most impressed by the ability of the Israeli police to adapt their methods so the constant threat of terrorism doesn't dominate their lives.

"They're not going to let this threat change their lives," he said. "They're not going to stop living."

Barnes said he wanted to travel to Israel and take part in the program so he could bring something back to Columbus that would help him do his job more effectively.

"The growing threat of terrorism is here in this country," he said. "I wanted to be exposed to a part of the world where it's happening every day because we've got to be prepared for it, and we as law enforcement have to prepare our citizens for it." [color="blue"](Yes, western Georgia is a prime target of terrorism. )

Based on what he's seen, Barnes said he thinks Columbus is ahead of the game when it comes to disaster preparedness. The accessibility of training to both law enforcement officials and residents of Columbus and Muscogee County is one reason Barnes thinks this area is a few steps ahead.

[highlight]"Israel is an amazing place, and I'm very impressed with what they have done," Barnes said. "You look on a map and you see that little blip and you see what they're surrounded by that doesn't want them -- the Israeli people and the Jewish people -- there. But it's amazing what they've done and how they've withstood. It's very impressive."[/highlight]

[color="blue"](Well, that just about says it all, doesn't it. He's a ZOG man through and through.)

The Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange was established in 1992 by [color="Red"]Dr. Robert Friedmann of the Georgia State University Department of Criminal Justice.

[color="blue"](http://www.cjgsu.net/initiatives/friedmann/index.htm)