Terror, Terrorism, Terror, Terror, Terrorist, Terror

[NVRMOR]

Terror is the number one story. It has been since 2001. There's no avoiding it. Sure the news channels make a buck from it. It's capitalism, the system we're trying to defend. Sometimes the story is overwhelming, but ignorance isn’t going to help either. Planes, trains, and automobiles have always crash, but not always deliberately so. We need to be vigilante.
I'm concerned about losing personal liberties too. Also worried about what an ordeal air travel has become, but what else can we do?

 

[gsdx]

If we continue on like this haven't the "terrorists" won?

Seriously, the terrorists won the day the Towers came down. Don't you remember the aftermath? They did exactly what terrorists do best: strike terror into everyone and bring an entire nation to a complete standstill. They didn't even have to anything else, and they still don't.

 

[Joshua_me]

Has the US really gone nuts over the Underpants Bomber?

To a point, yes.

One, because it illustrates that after all these years since 9/11, America still doesn't have it's shit together in terms of security, and that we are all just basically sitting ducks.

And two, since "underpants" were involved, it now becomes oddly lurid to repressed Americans, giving the story an additional life of it's own.

"Terror" will always be with us. There's a growing number of people who absolutely despise America and will give there own lives in an attempt to bring it down. Those factions are scattered all over the planet, including right here within our borders.

Sadly, it's just a matter of time until the next attack on America, which may well make the twin towers just look like an opening act.

 

[ChickenGuy]

I agree with the OP. It does no good to just obsess and worry about it. Because then you have let them get to you. Far better to say 'I'm going to get on with my life, whatever you do'.

The terrorist threat is far more psychological than it is based in reality. Much of what is discussed in the news is about things that could happen or that might happen. Little is about what does happen.

And that's because, at least in the West, comparatively little has happened - yes, they managed one dreadful spectacular when no-one was fully aware of the threat they posed - but really, it's countries like Pakistan that are bearing the brunt of the threat right now.

Best to improve and enhance our intelligence, both domestic and foreign, accept that we can never be 100% safe (this is an illusion), and get on with our lives in the meantime.

 

[star-warrior]

Benjamin Franklin said: "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security." That still rings true.

I've changed 'privacy' for 'liberty' here... but I think the picture is apropos....

 

[Joshua_me]

It seems to me that, prior to 11/9, most Americans couldn't have cared less about the terrorist atrocities being commited in Europe and elswhere in the world. Anyway, much like the USA's belated involvement in WWII, it's nice of you to come and join the struggle against terrorists ...even if you're a bit late on the scene.

Oh, there's no doubt that most Americans are xenophobic, short-sighted folks.

If it doesn't happen within our borders, it really doesn't exist.

That's been the mindset for a good long time. But, things are changing. They have to...

 

[NedNickerson]

Has the US really gone nuts over the Underpants Bomber? It barely rated over in Australia, and our news is 90% American these days.

If the underwear bomber had been on a flight to Syndey,
I'll bet they'd be talking about it a lot more over there
than they would here in the States.

I remember when they had the train bombings in Madrid in 2004
and the bus bombings in London in 2005,
there were some stories here in the States that expressed sentiment like,
"Now you know how it feels..." which I thought was insensitive.

Actually, those areas had experienced terrorism long before 9/11,
and they were probably thinking the same thing about us at that time.

 

[BabiGayPimp]

Sorry if I have to ruin anyone's day, but the news media in the U.S. is freaking out only because they know, at some visceral level, that nukes are coming to a city near you. The way I see it, this story has only one credible ending: a skyline dotted with mushroom clouds. So at this point, I'm not too concerned about liberty. More worried about death.

 

[NineOfClubs]

Say what you will, but it was enough of that sort of explosive to finish that plane and everyone on it, without question.

If he had been successful, what would we be talking about?

 

[Jayden]

Say what you will, but it was enough of that sort of explosive to finish that plane and everyone on it, without question.

If he had been successful, what would we be talking about?

What he said.

 

[Edward Twinkletoes]

They're never going to shut up about it because it's the new thing you've gotta be afraid of. You always have to be afraid of something. Because if you aren't, what other good excuse do they have to look up your asshole before you get on a plane?

Just chalk it up to the fact that our leaders have gone off the deep end with their desire to know everything about us. That's right. Your government wants to know what your shit looks like. That's why all you hear about is terrorism.