9/11 - Are we safer?

arbilad · Head Chef

9/11 - Are we safer?

lundbaek · Profuse Pontificator

I believe the LDGs will arrange future "terrorist" attacks as they see are needed to persuade Americans to accept more war and control over our lives.

Cat Herder · Understander of unimportant things

I think that realistically the probability and possibility are still the same. But, with the increased levels of awareness, we are no longer in a state of blissful ignorance any longer. As a nation, we were shocked at the first attack on the WTC, but that was relatively soon forgotten, relegated to the random act of some real wackos based out of some country in the middle east. And, as a nation, we were horrified at the truck bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City, but again, it was relatively soon forgotten, relegated to the random act of some real wackos that were home grown and mentally unstable or mad at the government for some perceived wrong.

The likelihood of successful completion of a similar or greater magnitude of atrocious acts of premeditated murder anytime in the future? That is a different story altogether. It would depend on our having data to know how many were thwarted before and how many are thwarted now. And, somehow, I don't think that is going to be common knowledge.

Homestar Runner · Senior Member

With the bust-up of the multiple-airline bomb plot, it's looking like we have indeed degraded Al-Qaeda's operational security. That's one really good measure of whether we're safer or not. However, the upswing of homegrown terror news scares the jibblies out of me.

If we recall, Al Qaeda didn't attack us because they thought 9/11 would wipe us off the Earth. They did it, hoping that people who weren't Al Qaeda would see the event, and rise up and join them, and then all of them together would wipe us off the earth. To the extent that other Islamic states have worked with us, sharing intelligence and whatnot, Al Qaeda has failed. To the extent that some folks have decided they're ticked-off enough at us to create a little mayhem of their own, Al Qaeda has enjoyed some small amount of limited success.

HSR

fear of shiz · Profuse Pontificator

Lundbaek, are you honestly accusing the government of the United States of murdering nearly 3000 of its citizens?

I think we have had five years without any comparable attack on US soil. The policy of taking the war to the enemy has been successful, as has the (mostly unseen) measures taken to thwart other attacks.

That said, I am very concerned about Iranian nukes finding their way into the US. I don't want September 11 to be overshadowed by some future day when an entire city is vaporized.

Cat Herder · Understander of unimportant things

I know this is gonna sound like Bill Cosby's Noah asking what a cubit is, but what's a LDG?

bokbadok · Senior Bucketkeeper

That's lundbaek's acronym: Latter Day Gadiantons

DaKnife · Senior Member

I feel safer for a few differing reasons, none of which have to do with the TSA. I feel safer because nobody is every going to be able to hijack an airplane again. The old program of sit quietly and you'll most likely survive went out the window on 9/11. Since then no group of passengers can afford to cooperate with any wannabe hijackers.

What does make me feel safer in the air is the new advanced Luggage screening of checked luggage, air-marshals, secured cockpit doors and Pilots packing heat.

Not letting me wear gel-insoles does not make me feel safer. The Register ran a piece looking at how viable TaTp really isn't, as a covert mix-it-yourself terrorist weapon. linky one
Those folks were planning to attempt it but it is extremely unlikely they would have succeeded simply due to the challenges of mixing the stuff properly for it to have the desired effect. However, due to their plans, the most rediculous and worthless restrictions yet have been imposed. (btw a tube of KY jelly is still allowed

) see linky two

All that said, do I think we are safer from another attack of some other type? Yes and no. Yes simply because, inept as it is at times the government is spending a ton of resources on this. No because we haven't gotten the ring leaders (Bin Laden) and they keep on trying. Of course living in Utah, I'm not overly concerned for my safety because these guys like symbolic targets, so they'll mostly keep trying to hit the coasts where most of the symbols of the Great Satan can be found.

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

I only felt unsafe for a few weeks or so after 9-11. Why? Because I realize that there was little or nothing I could do about the problem. What scares me more than being attacked by Islamofacists (or Carnie Workers) is being in a large city when the people panic because of an attack by Islamofacists. I hate going to big cities because when people panic there is no where to go. Just look at New Orleans. I know that much of the coverage was hyped up by the media but it still seems like the worst tragedy was how people acted. Other areas experienced damage, death, and destruction but it seems like New Orleans went crazy. Even the cops were stealing cars. Basically in those situations a person has to protect themselves and their family. Maybe even a few friends or neighbors. (insert 2nd amendment essay here) If the Islamofacists detonate a bomb or bio weapon in the U.S. my worst fear is what the crazy guy down the road is going to do when he panics or tries to take advantage of the situation to help himself to a TV.

Are we safer? In some ways yes but people who want you dead and who are motivated will find a way around it. It may not be airlines ever again. It could be Uhaul trucks parked around your local city filled with explosives. The law enforcement and government folks need to do their very best to try and stop it but there is no 100% guarantee. If we live in fear then the Islamofacists win.

Just my two cents for what it's worth.