What causes more terror?

RE: Ongoing fear

SINthysist said:
I grew up during times like the Cuban missle crises. At no point in my life have I felt like our country was out of the crosshairs of the world in general. Being raised in fear, having fear exploited societally, in politics and media, for example, means that the next new fear is just a new fear. The mechanisms to deal with it have been in place for a long time.

And yes, law enforcemant can be effective. Now it gets put into the court system and the odds go back to the shooter...

:(

Yes, I too remember 1962... and November '63... :(

The thought crossed my mind, also, this morning. Some concern over the Courts is valid, but in the end... If the evidence is there, they will be convicted. You gotta believe that, SIN. Your great Nation is not an Anarchy (yet). ;)
 
Re: Good spin, Flatlander!

Jimi6996 said:
Peepee, I enjoy your sardonic, kidologist take on things - but lay off the individul Yank on this one - SIN's comment re: IRA could perhaps give you some food for thought, O Red-Brick University Denizen. :D

Nice well thought out letter to your friend Jimi.

I have no intention of targeting individuals my post was meant to be taken in general terms. Whether we as individuals feel more terror if something like the Washington sniper was happening in our neighbourhood or whether we feel that al Qaida and Saadam instils greater terror.

Myself the sniper gives me the greatest fear, even though I'm sitting here thousands of miles away, because I can visualise what it must be like to have the hairs on the back of my neck rise every time I leave the front door. And I can feel how the panic in my throat would grow almost uncontrolably if I had to stop my car to get petrol.

The terror and panic in myself would be individual to me alone.

To mention the IRA briefly. We've had decades of bombings, shootings, kidnappings and other atrocities so that looking for an unattended parcel or briefcase or even a shopping bag is second nature to most of us in the UK. And we are constantly reminded to keep our eyes open by posters displayed in public places. So yes we do still look.

But as for the terror of the IRA, I would say it was almost non-existant. I personally felt that if I was torn apart by a car bomb that I would be the victim of an act of war, and we know a lot about wars in Europe :)

But a lone person, out there somewhere, willing to shoot at random passers by...

Now that fills me with real terror...

ppman
 
Re: Re: Good spin, Flatlander!

p_p_man said:
Nice well thought out letter to your friend Jimi.

I have no intention of targeting individuals my post was meant to be taken in general terms. Whether we as individuals feel more terror if something like the Washington sniper was happening in our neighbourhood or whether we feel that al Qaida and Saadam instils greater terror.

Myself the sniper gives me the greatest fear, even though I'm sitting here thousands of miles away, because I can visualise what it must be like to have the hairs on the back of my neck rise every time I leave the front door. And I can feel how the panic in my throat would grow almost uncontrolably if I had to stop my car to get petrol.

The terror and panic in myself would be individual to me alone.

To mention the IRA briefly. We've had decades of bombings, shootings, kidnappings and other atrocities so that looking for an unattended parcel or briefcase or even a shopping bag is second nature to most of us in the UK. And we are constantly reminded to keep our eyes open by posters displayed in public places. So yes we do still look.

But as for the terror of the IRA, I would say it was almost non-existant. I personally felt that if I was torn apart by a car bomb that I would be the victim of an act of war, and we know a lot about wars in Europe :)

But a lone person, out there somewhere, willing to shoot at random passers by...

Now that fills me with real terror...

ppman

Yes, I must agree with that... The total invasion of the "Sanctum Sanctorum" of the Neighbourhood becomes far too real. Actually, my friend is more upset about the US media's involvement in the process than the actual fear - and, for him, it WAS palpable! The Home depot garage where # 9? took place is a weekly haunt for him.

Also, re"war" on Home Soil - the Americans have not experienced this since 1865, so their collective "take" on the incidents of September, 2001 will necessarily be radically different than a Euro-perspective.

I'm glad you weren't being personal! ;)

Individually, Americans may have (or relatives who have) experienced war firsthand - but they are the minority... Luckily, upon this Board, there are many who fit the Minority profile, from Indochina to The Gulf. Those are the people who will ultimately get "the point" across to their Congress-People. One hopes! :)
 
Re: Re: Re: What causes more terror?

CoolidgEffect said:
Well not in Northern Indiana.
Even then I don't think so. I realize a lot of people in the Washington area altered their lives for the sake of their own securities. But I heard something on the news that said that 22% of the kids who go to the school where the 13-year old was shot have been held away from school by their parents. Which is remarkable, but it also means that more than three-quarters of them still went to school. They may have been driven instead of walked, but they still went through their normal lives.

This is far less a sign of "terror" than that ultimate dread we all went through on 9/11 when we didn't know who was attacking us, if or where they'd strike next, holy shit the buildings are collapsing, all flights over the U.S. are canceled . . .

It just doesn't compare. One person picked off 10 people. Nineteen people killed three thousand.

TB4p
 
On 9/11, 19 people killed thousands in the symbols of power and greed in America. Montgomery Co. had its share of fear and tragedy on 9/11 when the pentagon was hit and later when the anthrax letters were being distributed. It was unnerving. It was terrifying. There was a rage you felt because your country and countrymen were being attacked. On that day, there was a fear that the government building you are standing in or driving next to might be the next target. You worried about car bombs like the one reported near the White House, you worried the Metro might be a target. And you felt for the families of all the victims regardless of citizenship. Later, you could rationalize that you would be safe, that you won't be in a site of power or greed especially with your children so you don't need to fear. You chuck the mail before you take it inside, you don't go on a tour of the FBI or the Pentagon. You don't take your kids to work. You put up with the check points and car searchs to go to work feeling that while mostly for show, the danger is fading. The immediate fear fades.

But 10 random people killed in the County or nearby is far worse. It could be you or your children anytime anywhere. You pump gas at noon with a friend watching your back. You drop you kid off at school praying the shooter will take the day off or choose another random target. This was far more personal.
 
Great Thread . . .

This is a great discussion thread . . . today the Oz news has reported that two guys have been arrested for this crime, in a long distance, co-operative, inter-agency action . . .
 
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