Another explosion in Jakarta

Another explosion in Jakarta

Since the Bali bombings, two "small" bombs have exploded in the country; one at a building belonging to the National Police Headquarters in February, the other one at the Medan's mayor office in March.

The two bombs did not claim any lives, but they reminded us of the need to be vigilant against the possibility of bomb blasts after the Bali tragedy, because further deadly blasts could happen anywhere, anytime.

Frustration over events within one's environment could lead to a bombing, or political or economic motives could lead to an explosion.

The Bali bombings, however, told us that frustration should not originate from domestic problems. Anger against Americans was reportedly the main motive for the Bali bombings. The Bali bombings have destroyed local tourism, on which many people depended for their livelihoods.

An investigation into the latest bombing, which occurred behind the United Nation's office in Jakarta, should be conducted carefully.

Analysis could vary on the motive for the blast. It may have been an expression of dissatisfaction at the UN's failure to properly deal with the Iraq war. Or it may have occurred due to a number of reasons.

The police must reveal what was really behind the bombing so as to curb excessive speculation.

-- Kompas, Jakarta

Burglary rampant

At least 21 burglaries have taken place in Greater Jakarta within the last two months. The latest two robberies occurred on Jl. Cendrawasih, West Jakarta, and on Jl. Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta.

The keys to preventing house robbery are the house owners and the neighborhood where a house is located. The police cannot possibly protect a neighborhood 100 percent, while reporting a crime -- which can take place in the space of a few moments -- takes time.

In a neighborhood where residents know each other well, a family could ask a neighbor to watch their house for them whenever they go out of town, for example.

Local residents could become the best guards in a neighborhood if the situation is conducive.

Unfortunately, the level of solidarity among families differs in every neighborhood.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta

Citizenship for immigrant U.S. soldiers killed

You don't have to be a citizen to be a patriot. Joseph Menusa, Francisco Martinez, Jose Gutierrez, Jesus Suarez del Solar and Jose Garibay died showing that.

The five Californians, all immigrants, were among the first U.S. casualties in Iraq. Congress has decreed that they and other non-citizens pose too much of a security risk to inspect bags at airports. Yet they willingly sacrificed their lives for their new country. Immigrants have done this in every war since the Revolution.

Eliminating delays to citizenship is the least the government can do for those in uniform.

Immigrants sign up for the same reasons as other Americans: Career opportunities, educational benefits, adventure, devotion to country.

Last July, President Bush cited the war on terror when he added a big inducement to enlistment. He ordered that citizenship applications of those on active duty be pushed to the top of the pile.

It shouldn't take death, though, to get the government's attention. Citizenship should be enjoyed by the living.

-- San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California