...but is it safe?

I wanted to wait a few days before writing this post, while I may be an insensitive jerk at times, I am not a complete ass.
Is it safe where you live?  Aren't you worried?  These are the questions that are asked to every settler, but I find that Olim are asked them more often. People make assumptions about the areas of Judea and Samaria based on third hand stories reported on CNN and their own over active imaginations.
The truth is that I find myself asking that question to my American friends as often as they ask me.  Here, we have armed guards and metal detectors at the malls, train stations, restaurants, and schools.  I carry a gun everywhere I go.  You see soldiers, both on and off duty, with rifles strapped to their backs in the streets.  Police have the right to stop and search you if you look suspicious.  Security and vigilance are visible everywhere you go.
In America, everything is open.  Mall security are not armed, and are there to prevent shoplifting and vandalism.  There are whole States that prevent me from carrying a firearm for self-defense.  Soldiers don't patrol the streets.  Schools that want metal detectors put in are subject to all sorts of criticism.  There is a generally relaxed attitude toward the security situation. 
It is an interesting dichotomy.  Here in Israel it may appear more like a police state than an open democracy, but the truth is, we are talking about perceptions rather than realities.  The fact that we have soldiers on the streets and bag searches at mall entrances allows us to breath easier and have a better appreciation for the freedoms that we have.
When we went on a picnic in Tel Aviv over the Pesach holiday the police suddenly came and evacuated the area.  It seemed that a unattended bag was seen in the area.  Very quickly, the area was sealed off, and the bomb squad showed up to check it out, and if they were not sure about it, destroy it.  Right before the bomb squad did their thing, the bag's owner came running in apologizing for forgetting his cooler bag.  The fact is that this whole situation happened because the average person here is vigilant Someone saw a bag sitting alone, and instead of ignoring it, decided that it's better to be safe than sorry, even at the cost of a minor inconvenience.   Sure, you could say that we have all those things because we need the extra security, but after recent events, can you honestly say that you don't need the same security.  It has become obvious that terrorists may call the Middle East home, but they are definitely willing to commute for work.  There is no longer such a thing as a place that is immune from attack or violent action, only protected from them. It is an unfortunate fact, that the average American needs to learn to be just as vigilant. 
I find this ironic in light of the violent crime rates.  The US far outranks Israel in both violent crime and firearm related crime rates.  Here in Israel, certainly in my hometown, I have very little concern letting my children run around the neighborhood.  MiniMe is spending his afternoons hunting down loose wood and fallen trees for his upcoming Lag Baomer bonfire.  Princess can go down the block to her friend's house unsupervised, and if she goes any farther, she just needs to call us.  Even Curly Sue and Little Red can play by themselves in the front yard.  When visiting my parents, who live in a nice quiet suburb in the US, we won't even let MiniMe play unsupervised in the back yard.  They certainly can't run ahead in the mall or stay with the shopping cart in line at the grocery store while I grab something I forgot from the refrigerator section.   Here the average gun-carrying citizen is not carrying because of fear of being mugged or raped, but I do believe that because the average person could be carrying, there is less of a chance that a criminal will attept to mug or rape someone.
I am not saying that it is all rainbows and unicorns here, but we here in Israel, and certainly in the communities of Judea and Samaria are aware of that and protect ourselves accordingly, thus allowing ourselves and children the freedom we enjoy.
We Settlers stand in solidarity with the victims of the bombing in Boston, but at the same time, I do need to ask, when will you come home?  Here instead of feeling safe and secure, you can be safe and secure.  Until then, stay safe.