THE terror attack at the Boston Marathon is about a month old, and it seems like other national current event issues have taken over as the focal point of the American people.

There are new revelations regarding the attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, the rescue of three women held in bondage for over a decade, the report of the IRS harassing non-profit conservative organizations, and the U.S. Department of Justice allegedly reviewing telephone records of American media outlets to look for the "source of leaks" in government.

These new issues are of great concern because they are in conflict with constitutional guarantees and our civil liberties.

President Obama certainly has his hands full of controversies right now. The American people are entitled to an impartial investigation of these matters. The credibility of our government is at stake.

But despite these current issues, we should not forget about what happened in Boston last month. And, more importantly, we need to learn from the attack in Boston.

I have come up with a short list of "to do" actions for our local and national leaders to consider to help keep terrorism from gaining momentum within our borders, and to help keep all of us safe. I am sure that the readers of this column may also have some suggestions to share.

First, we need to remind ourselves that terrorists are not motivated by money or legitimate religious beliefs. They are motivated by a perverted ideology.

Second, we've got to keep the terrorists moving and off balance by aggressively disrupting their money and support arteries wherever possible.

Third, we must eliminate the possibility for terrorists or their sympathizers to enter or reenter the United States on student visas, as political refugees or under the guise of any other immigration/visa status. We also must do a much better job in screening and rejecting U.S. citizenship applications.

Fourth, we need to fight this war on terrorism with intelligence, not just guns. When it comes to our country and all parts therein, including Guam, we must remember that terrorism is a war like no other we have fought. We are dealing with an elusive enemy. In our borders, we can't just play defense all the time. We also have to take the offensive. Otherwise the terrorists will get us again.

Fifth, our intelligence community, both at the local and federal level, has to talk to each other and share information. They have got to think the way terrorists think and always be one step ahead of them.

Sixth, we've got to keep the terrorists – homegrown or foreign – moving and off balance by aggressively disrupting their gates of entry wherever possible. We have got to encourage our people to share information regarding suspicious behavior with the authorities and not be reluctant or afraid to do so.

Seventh, any American or foreigner visiting or resident in our country who consciously harbors terrorists must face the criminal justice system for their actions. They should suffer the same fate as the murderers they shelter or assist.

Eight, our American media outlets must find the proper balance in reporting on terrorism so that the media is not used by terrorist groups or front organizations to promote their hate agenda.

Ninth, we must recognize that talk won't stop terrorism. Our intelligence community needs tools to do this. Terrorist organizations mutate constantly to insulate themselves from abrupt changes in or loss of leadership or threats. They recruit individuals from thousands of miles away to conduct attacks on their behalf. What happened in Boston is a good example. Our country was caught off guard in Boston and much earlier on Sept. 11. How could a country as strong and powerful as the United States miss this?

Tenth, sadly, we must recognize that our country is destructible – anywhere and at anytime. As Americans, we therefore have a right to protect our citizens by applying military pressure and law enforcement on those who harbor terrorism – foreign or domestic – where and whenever necessary. And, our government has the responsibility to protect us.

Friends, our country has changed since Sept. 11 and since the Boston attack. Much may look the same, yet everything is different and certainly nothing when it comes to our safety is the same.

We might have gone beyond the initial shock of these terrorist attacks in our country. Life in Guam seems to be going on as usual.

But from Washington D.C. to Wall street, from Boston to Guam, we need to continue to remain strong and vigilant.

Our hope and faith as Americans is unbreakable and at stake.