Beirut Comes to Washington - HUMAN EVENTS

Today, Pennsylvania Avenue is a maze of bollards, vehicle barriers, high fences and heavy gates. Without the appropriate pass it is practically impossible to get a vehicle anywhere near the White House — or any other federal building. In the parlance of security specialists, this is called “offset protection.” Regrettably, that kind of safeguard is lacking at one of the busiest buildings in Washington, D.C. — one that I use nearly every week — Union Station.

The 101-year old landmark is a terminus for 4.1 million Amtrak passengers a year. Annually, more than 25 million tourists, Metro and regional rail commuters pass through the facility. Reflecting bloody experience in Madrid and London, trains arriving and departing from platforms behind and beneath Union Station are patrolled by armed law officers. Yet, the front of Union Station practically invites attack by a terrorist driving a VBIED.