Following 9-11, the road atop the dam that creates Elephant Butte was closed “for security.” Ten years later, the dam was opened for visitors for one day. Many people seized the opportunity to walk across the dam top, as thousands had for decades before.

I’m stunned at the stupidity that keeps this dam closed. Will it take 100 years for us to come to our senses and recover a modicum of the freedom we sacrificed? Is there anyone who seriously believes Elephant Butte is a credible target for terrorists? What would it take to destroy that dam? (Uh-oh, now I’m on a watch list.) So, Texas gets its water a little sooner and maybe Mexico gets some it never will otherwise. It’s never going to happen and keeping tourists out is nonsense.