There's tighter security at statewide airports. And you might even see more National Guardsmen on your streetcorner.

It's seemingly all part of a regular cycle. However, this time, it appears these precautions are necessary.

The United States and coalition forces could invade Iraq as early at tonight. As a result, we all need to be on alert.

It's easy to think because we live in the Midwest, we're more sheltered from a terrorist attack than our fellow citizens who reside in larger places or on the East Coast. However, we must not fall into that type of thinking, lest such an attack actually occur in our region.