They should commission a study. I want to know the answer. How many acts of terrorism have been thwarted by the kindness of strangers - and particularly by the kindness of women? When there's an attractive woman next to a terrorist on a bus, does the terrorist's heart beat a little faster? From deep beneath his suicide bombing attire, does he draw up a sweat? Does he give up the plan?

The forces of jihad are promising their martyrs forty virgins in paradise. Clearly, western governments need to step it up. The answer, however, is not in providing more virgins to prospective terrorists - or even younger virgins. After all, we live in a free, democratic society - one where women are comparatively liberated. I sincerely believe that a small group of comparatively liberated women (three or four perhaps), can easily compete with the best forty virgins that the axis of evil can assemble.

And so, at the risk of sounding chauvinistic, I'm asking Rosie the Riveter get a little more flirtatious - particularly when she's around sensitive areas of our country's infrastructure (highways, railways, ports of entry). Rosie, your country needs you again. If we are to restore the dream - the dream of wearing our shoes through metal detectors and leaving our packages unattended - we will need your help.