Threat Of Terrorism Remains Unabated

[Terri]

By Carol Devine-Molin
January 13, 2003
http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/gopusa.gif

Terrorists have now moved well beyond kamikaze-style attacks and car bombs, illustrative of low-tech operations. We live in unparalleled times, given the perilous mix of terrorism and the growing availability of weapons of mass destruction (WMD's) through unscrupulous regimes such as Iran, Iraq, Syria and North Korea.

Are we moving toward a once unimaginable scenario involving the imminent threat of a catastrophic strike upon a major American city? Moreover, is real life now imitating art?

The riveting Fox Television series "24" portrays a US Counter-Terrorist agent determined to locate a terrorist-planted, soon-to-be-detonated, nuclear device in the city of Los Angeles. In this race against time, there are no holds barred as the "bad guys" are systematically roughed-up and killed, and bizarre immunity deals are made, all in efforts to find the ticking bomb in time to disarm it. Well, it's easy to chalk-up this story line to "show-biz", but, unfortunately, similar real life situations could emerge within the next few years with tragic consequences.

National security authorities are now vitally concerned with the possibility of nuclear or radiological terrorism on American soil -- in fact, some experts believe it's only a matter of time before we are confronted with these awful circumstances. According to the 2/3/03 edition of Insight magazine (a publication of The Washington Times), "US counterterrorism units have been put on a heightened state of alert in response to intelligence worries that the al-Qaeda network has obtained one or more weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including biological and/or nuclear materials... Senior US intelligence analysts who spoke to Insight say they fear such an attack would involve a nuclear device".

Full Story (http://www.gopusa.com/caroldevinemolin/cdm_0113.shtml)

Are people still as worried about the threat of terrorism? How do you feel?

We invite our guests to register and share your opinions.

[Bob2351]

I am not afraid. I do, however, believe that the threat of a catastrophic attack on the USA is still very real. The Islamic hordes are determined to bring down Western civilization by any means possible. They will devote whatever resources at their disposal to aquiring the means to hurt us. There will be no moral issues to dissuade their use of WMD against our civilian population. The war has only just begun and the next strike is coming eventually.

[nekela]

http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif I am not afraid , as there is nothing I can do about it. I just wish that things could be better for our children and granchildren. We are getting near the end of our lifespan and they will be the ones to suffer.
I just wish the powers that be would wake up and close our borders before more of them get in. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[Bob2351]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (nekela @ Jan. 15, 2003 -- 9:55 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif I am not afraid , as there is nothing I can do about it. I just wish that things could be better for our children and granchildren. We are getting near the end of our lifespan and they will be the ones to suffer.
I just wish the powers that be would wake up and close our borders before more of them get in. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif *http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
NEAR THE END OF MY LIFESPAN?!?!? I didn't even know I was sick!! http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Floridaguy]

Bob, again, you and I were thinking alike. I was just going to say much the same thing. Marked as a goner, and not even 40 yet.... Egads!

http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag19.gif

[pRIMrose]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Marked as a goner, and not even 40 yet.... Egads! [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Well now, there's &quot;whippersnappers &quot; and then there's the &quot;rocking chair&quot; brigade. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif It's all in perspective ~ unless, like some I know who think they're gonna live forever. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laff.gif Yesterday was definitely an &quot;end of the spectrum&quot; day, but today is the first day of the rest of my life. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/twothumbsup.gif

As for being afraid ~ no way! Let's just say I plan to keep informed and go on with my life. However, I will continue to get http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/fire.gif when the powers that be don't do their job (as I see it) and put us at a higher risk. I'm speaking, of course, of our immigration policy. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/teeth2.gif

[Saber]

Well, it's not like I'm cowering around unable to live my daily life but, yes, I'm fearful. Just because we don't know the date and time of the next catastrophe doesn't make it less scary. If we knew, for instance, that the next &quot;hit&quot; would be on ___ a.m. , would you not be afraid? Be honest.

[pRIMrose]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If we knew, for instance, that the next &quot;hit&quot; would be on ___ a.m. , would you not be afraid? Be honest.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Now Saber, http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I'm trying to put my most positive spin on this. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laff.gif Of course, if I knew it was going to be at 4pm on March 10th in Zolfo Springs, I'd http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif for sure. But It just doesn't seem to work that way. We always know, after the fact, somehow. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tqrolleyes.gif

I remember the 50's and 60's and they had us in stark raving terror most of the time, ducking under furniture, civil defense sirens, building bomb shelters etc. Of course we hadn't been attacked on our own soil (unless you count Pearl Harbor). And we didn't have the gross neglect of our borders either, that we have today.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't give it some thought. But since I'm from an era that put us through all the &quot;preventive maintenance&quot; and nothing happened, it sort of desensitizes you. Not to mention, all the stuff we went through during WWII. Now that was scary. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[heldmyw]

...and I remember when the Vikings came up the Thames towards London...

Dang! THAT was scary, what with all the pillaging and plundering and whatnot.

My sister got pillaged... didn't like it one bit, nossir.

[pRIMrose]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">My sister got pillaged... didn't like it one bit, nossir.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Hi hmw ~ http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wavey.gif ~ did it hurt her much ~ did she live to tell about it? http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rotflo.gif

[conn.servative]

http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rotflo.gif &quot;my sister got pillaged&quot; http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/notworthy.gif
Fear? No, I am still planning a trip to Europe as soon as it's financially feasible, and I still visit NYC as often as I get the chance to. Am I concerned? VERY! How can you not be at least concerned. I'll be a lot less concerned when the INS gets it

[conn.servative]

sorry.... http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
when the INS get's it's act together

[Saber]

Concerned is the best word for what I feel. I gotta tell you that I wouldn't feel warm about Europe right now, though.

[Charie]

RIM How about a gang tackle on hmw? *You hit 'im high and I'll hit 'im low - real low - then he'll know what real pillaging is all about............... .................... ........maybe the whatnot would be better. *

Whaddya think? http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sarcasm.gif

[Granite River]

Today at the peace rally in DC, NBC let some fool there say that we should wait for an immediate threat before me do anything.

It looks to me that the delay in going after Iraq has done as Sodam knew it would. The middle of the road support is weakening. The constant drone of the liberal media is affecting some of the moderates.

[Charie]

I can see that this is happening in Wisconsin. The president's ratings are going down almost day by day. The &quot;regular people&quot;, to quote &quot;I want to be president&quot; Edwards ARE being worn down by the constant dinging away by the libs. There was a townhall at our neighboring district and it must have been attended only by people spouting the old party line--no war for oil--and the usual drivel. They must have all been forcefed talking points just before entering the hall. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sneaky2.gif

[Terri]

I guess I'm aware that something could happen and it could happen here. After all, I live surrounded by military installations and at the foot of NORAD.

But, I don't worry and my day to day life is not affected.

As to the President's ratings they will come up when we move on Iraq and they will stay up if things happen fairly quickly and without too much loss of American lives. If not, well then the anti American riots held by Saddam's American supporters will increase.

[Granite River]

“...and I remember when the Vikings came up the Thames towards London...”

I also remember when we went up the Thames and it’s wasn’t that scary, with all of the pillaging, plundering and whatnot.

“My sister got pillaged... didn't like it one bit, nossir. “

Sorry about that, but she didn’t kick as hard as some.

[Terri]

We are blessed with some guys with a really good sense of humor here at GOPUSA. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Join us in the Precinct when you can. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif