Online Chat with Woodstock Union Middle School

Woodstock: Senator Leahy, this is Mrs. Pelkey and I am here with 15 students concerned about issues of personal and national security.  First of all we would like to know if the senate could appropriate more snow for the state of Vermont?

Sen Leahy: Mrs Pelkey I am going to be in Vermotn with my family at our home for Christmas. I'd do anything to have a couple feet of snow!

Sen Leahy: I do know how to spell Vermont - I'm just a lousy typist

Woodstock: Thank you for joining us.  Jillian would like to know if it is now harder for people to immigrate from other countries?

Sen Leahy: Any snow in Woodstock yet?

Woodstock: We have approx. 4 inches of snow now.

Sen Leahy: Jillian you ask a good question. There is more scrutiny especially from some parts of the world and i expect it will be even more difficult until we have better ID methods. It is important, though, that the USA not star closing its

Sen Leahy: start closing its borders. Diversity makes us great.

Woodstock: We agree with you Senator, we celebrate differences here.  James wonders what security precautions are being taken to ensure that anthrax is not still being sent in the mail?

Sen Leahy: James I have watched this closely especially as someone sent letters of anthrax to me and Sen Daschle trying to kill us.

Sen Leahy: I know they are trying methods of irradiation and inspection and we will keep our mails safe. We have to in this country but it is slowing everything up.

Woodstock: Incidentally, we have not received photos from your office.  Perhaps this is the slower mail process.  Ashely and Drew are concerned with airport security.  Are we as diligent today as we were 3 months ago?

Sen Leahy: Will check on the photos - mail is VERY slow!

Sen Leahy: Ashley and Drew I fly every week or so and feel security is good.. I think we need more electronic checks and a way to speed it up - many Americans are intimidated by all the security and won't fly. I do.

Woodstock: Thank you, Janice is checking as well.   We feel that the increased security is comforting.  Peter and David wonder about the capture of bin Laden.  Is this possible and would his capture but additional stress on our security?

Sen Leahy: Peter and David - I would be surprised if bin Laden is captured. I think he will fight to the death. He is already under indictment in the U.S. and we could handle the security as we did the trials of those who bombed the Trade To

Sen Leahy: Towers with a car bomb 8 years ago.

Woodstock: Senator, Emily is concerned that "this" (Sept 11) may happen again.  What can you share to prepare us for this possibility?

Sen Leahy: Emily I am afraid we will always face the threat of terrorism. We are so powerful a nation that armies won't march against us but terrorists will try to hurt us.

Woodstock: Alex wonders if you can share any "new things" that we are doing to make America safer?

M20P6 has left the room.

Sen Leahy: We will improve our security and more nations are discovering they also face the threat of terrorism. we have to stay true to our liberties though as that is what makes us a great nation.

Sen Leahy: Alex we are improving our coordination with other countries and dramatically improving our own intelligence capability to catch terrorists before they strike.

Woodstock: Senator, I would like to know what role students can play in making this a stronger and safer place?

Sen Leahy: Students should study history and learn those things that make us a free nation - and than make sure that neither terrorists nor hostile nations can scare us into giving up our freedoms.

Woodstock: Elise raises a very good question, is there more security in rural areas than in urban areas, is safer here in the country or in the city?

Sen Leahy: Students with skills - language, science etc - may think of working for our government in the military, diplomatic services, intelligence etc.

Sen Leahy: Elise I live in a town of 1300 people in Vermont and my home is on a dirt road - that is rural. I also work much of the year in Washington and live here while the Senate is in session. I feel secure in both places but happier in Ve

Sen Leahy: Vermont

Woodstock: A war on terrorism is a new type of war for us, it plays on our fears.  Baily wonders if America's new cautious attitude is a strength or weakness?

Sen Leahy: Baily I think we should be realistic and cautious. Certainly we should check people on airplanes, protect obvious sites like our nuclear power plants but we should not get so hung up on security that we are paralyzed as a nation.

Woodstock: Cody is interested in knowing if Vermont troops or soldiers are currently in Afganistan?

Sen Leahy: Cody I don't think we have any in Afghanistan but we do have the vermont air national guard patrolling the skies over New York City. Vermont trooops will go overseas if needed.

Woodstock: Rochelle wonders what you have done to deal with your own personal stress since 9/11?  We are happy to know that Vermonters are ready and willing to help.

Sen Leahy: Rochelle I exercise every day but for me the best stress release is to get home to Vermont with my family. Everyone in the office is working extremely hard and we try to help each other with the obvious stress.

Woodstock: Alex and Drew and ...... would like to invite you to visit with us in person.   How much time do senators have to rest between sessions, we wonder just how tired our senators must be from their work over the last few months.

Sen Leahy: THanks Alex and Drew and the others. Would love to stop by. We never know how long it will be between sessions - i would guess only a few weeks this time. The weeks are very long for all of us here - Senators and staff and I want a

Sen Leahy: weekend off where I can just sleep! It will be good to get home and I hope the Senate recesses before Christmas.

Woodstock: Peter has a closing question, what part of the anti-terrorist bill do you feel with have the greatest impact on our personal and national security?

Sen Leahy: I have to go to a caucus meeting but have really enjoyed being with you - you ask excellent questions and i am proud of you and your teachers.

Woodstock: Kately and Travis, and the rest of the group, can not thank you enough for your time.  Each of us feels better about our safety and that of our nation.

Sen Leahy: Peter ultimately the increased ability to monitor e-mails and phones raises the most worries - but that provision ends in 4 years unless renewed and my committee will monitor it closely. Be well.

Sen Leahy: Thanks Kately and Travis and all.