For a further discussion of the "Domino Theory," check out the progress of the Soviet sphere of influence after the Vietnam surrender. Note in particular the Carter years.

It is comforting to believe that if we had simply stayed home, and kept out of Vietnam, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Central America, or any place else where the Soviets were extending their influence, that it all would have gently faded away on its own.

No Vietnam war, no Contras, no support of the Afghan rebels, no backing rotten anti-communist dictators. Do nothing in Grenada, or anywhere else. No massive U.S. military buildup, no confrontation with the Soviets on missiles or missile defense, concessions on Soviet demands in arms agreements and others.

In other words, if we had done exactly what the Left demanded we do in every single one of these cases.

Just stay home, mind our own business, don't rock the boat, don't be confrontational, and nothing bad will happen.

I don't believe it. And I don't believe it now. It might be a good policy if you live in one of those bedroom nations, and others have been covering your ass for half a century or longer, but for those out in front, it doesn't work.

I see three possible reasons: either they consider secrecy to be paramount, to the point of omitting notice of success, or there has been no success, or (and I consider this the most likely) there have been no 'terror cells' operating in the US.

We can come to the conclusion that, for some unknown reason, the United States has been completely ignored by our enemies as a terror target, while Britain, for some other unknown reason, has multiple cells operating and their security is staying just ahead of dozens of terrorist attack plots.

Does this conclusion pass any sort of smell test with you?

The White House, under pressure, did release a list of prevented attacks:

1. Mid-2002, plot to attack West Coast targets using hijacked planes. Plotters included at least one major planner of 9/11.

2. Mid-2003, plot to attack East Coast targets using hijacked planes.

3. May 2002, plot to blow up apartment buildings in USA. Jose Padilla accused of discussing explosion of "dirty bomb."

4. Mid-2004, plot involving urban targets in United Kingdom using explosives.

5. Spring 2003, plot to attack Westerners in Karachi, Pakistan.

6. 2003, plot to attack Heathrow Airport using hijacked airliners. Planning by major 9/11 figure.

7. Spring 2004, plot to conduct large-scale bombings in United Kingdom.

8. Late 2002 and 2003, plot to attack ships in Arabian Gulf.

9. 2002, plot to attack ships in Strait of Hormuz.

10. 2003, plot to attack tourist site outside USA.

This list was covered in the media at the time, and as I vaguely recall, completely dismissed here as irrelevant.