Unleashing the Beast

310 / U NLEASHING THE B EAST

enforcement during the Depression Era, they were dubbed "Untouchable." Although these brave men could ward off bribes from the Mob, unfortunately some of them were unable to meet with the same success when it came to the Mob's bullets. No one is untouchable! For many years, Americans have felt that we were untouchable. No doubt this false sense of security was fostered by our lavish and relatively peaceful lifestyles. Complacency, like a deadly disease, runs rampant throughout our society, dulling the senses and distorting conventional wisdom. When trends and developments in the world demand that we take notice and act accordingly, complacency pushes the warning aside and convinces us that everything is all right. Even more than the diabolical schemes of those who are: resolved to conquer the weaker, complacency has served the god of war unlike no other servant. Throughout history it has often proved to be what the war-monger was dependent on in order for his battle plans to succeed. Take, for example, the Munich Pact of September 1938. This agreement, signed by Germany, Italy, France and Great Britain, was an attempt to appease Hitler's territorial demands in Czechoslovakia. When British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned home from the summit meeting, he declared "peace in our time." In March 1939, however, Germany occupied the remainder of the country and invaded Poland in September 1939, officially launching World War II. Thus history teaches, and personal experience confirms,