Terror attacks in Brussels

[Patch'sD]

My heart pours out to those effected by these cowardly acts. No ideas on how to stop them but each time this happens my thoughts get more and more hated towards these despicable exceptions to the human race. Some security measures may seem like a joke but it is better than doing nothing in my opinion. I think being vigilant is the most important thing for all of us, see something say something. Remember those in the recent California attack that didn't want to make a call for fear of being labeled anti Muslim.

 

[ashley0139]

My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy.

I ride the DC Metro to work almost every day. (I drive occasionally.) I travel through three really busy stations, Union Station, Gallery Place, and Metro Center. I think it's just a matter of time before it happens here and it terrifies me. I'm <this> close to just sucking up the cost of parking and driving every day.

As someone who lived in NYC for years and traveled through Times Square every day to get to work, along with Union Square, Penn Station, and other major stations often, the thought crossed my mind as well. But I always felt like I couldn't live my life in fear that something might happen. You can't change how you live your life. You're far more likely to get into a car accident from driving more often anyway.

 

[VandVsmama]

Friends of mine live in Brussels. The last terrorist issue a few months ago in Brussels, they had to stay at home and not even go outside for several days. I hope that the authorities bring a heavy hammer of justice onto the terrorist organization that is responsible for this.

In the meantime, everyone just needs to do what the British did in WW II while the nightly Nazi bomb raids on London occurred. Keep calm and carry on.

 

[TLSnell1981]

So sad. Prayers for all the victims

 

[NotUrsula]

My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy.

I ride the DC Metro to work almost every day. (I drive occasionally.) I travel through three really busy stations, Union Station, Gallery Place, and Metro Center. I think it's just a matter of time before it happens here and it terrifies me. I'm <this> close to just sucking up the cost of parking and driving every day.

Which is exactly what they want you to do, if you think about it. As a pp said, terror only really works when we let ourselves be terrified by it and when it causes millions of us to change the way that we live our lives because we are frightened. I would urge you to try to stand strong, and to weigh the probability of a bomb in the Metro against that of a multi-car accident on the beltway. The accident is actually the more likely to happen to you.

 

[aquabone1109]

Wow, I was just there 2 weeks ago using American Air. I have to go back in a month. This should be interesting.

 

[Missy1961]

As someone who lived in NYC for years and traveled through Times Square every day to get to work, along with Union Square, Penn Station, and other major stations often, the thought crossed my mind as well. But I always felt like I couldn't live my life in fear that something might happen. You can't change how you live your life. You're far more likely to get into a car accident from driving more often anyway.

I had to go to Manhattan today for a job interview. For a minute, I thought about skipping the subway ride and just walking, but I decided to do what I always did - ride the subway. I did walk back to Penn Station, but that had been my plan all along.

 

[Kona65]

How many wake up calls will it take for us to see the evil around us?

 

[wvjules]

I think we all see the evil. We just can't agree on what to do about it.

 

[pat fan]

In the meantime, everyone just needs to do what the British did in WW II while the nightly Nazi bomb raids on London occurred. Keep calm and carry on.

And wipe them off the map, is the next bit. Brit's (with help), did that too. Not sit around being PC and doing "for show" measures.

 

[DLgal]

And wipe them off the map, is the next bit. Brit's (with help), did that too. Not sit around being PC and doing "for show" measures.

Frankly, this type of post shows the ignorance most Americans have about terrorism in general and ISIS in particular. You can't "bomb them out of existence." The ideology behind why and how these terrorist groups rise up and come to power is extremely complex and many layers deep. You can kill off EVERY single one of them, theoretically, and there will just be more who convert themselves to the cause, or start up a new ring. ISIS, in particular, has roots that go back millennia, to feuding tribes from the region. You have to change the mindset of a subsection of people who have been fighting the same fight (against varying enemies) since people began settling that region. Currently, ISIS is behaving in a desperate manner because they are actually LOSING their power. What they want is MORE "Western" involvement, so these attacks are meant to essentially "lure" us into military action, which helps them recruit and spread their propaganda. Our current "inaction" (which isn't really inaction, as 99.99% of Americans are completely oblivious of what our military ACTUALLY is doing around the world) is exactly the correct move.

ISIS will eventually self destruct. They are halfway there. They are already feeling the squeeze that comes with trying to establish your own state. And their members are getting tired of fighting for them for free. The shine is wearing off.

 

[pat fan]

Frankly, this type of post shows the ignorance most Americans have about terrorism in general and ISIS in particular.

No, it doesn't. I am well aware of how long the people over there have been fighting, and am well aware of why. Not only the far back historical reasons, but the newer historical reasons. Please don't lecture me, I love history. BUT, you don't kill our citizens. That doesn't happen. Or, it should not happen.

 

[mnrose]

I think we all see the evil. We just can't agree on what to do about it.

And, how to avoid ensnaring perfectly innocent and peaceful people in the net with the "evil" people.

 

[Magpie]

And wipe them off the map, is the next bit. Brit's (with help), did that too. Not sit around being PC and doing "for show" measures.

How exactly do you suggest we go about "wiping them off the map"?

Who exactly are 'they'? How do we identify them? Where exactly are they located?

 

[pat fan]

Who exactly are 'they'? How do we identify them? Where exactly are they located?

If you don't know, I guess you're not paying attention.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

If you don't know, I guess you're not paying attention.

This isn't a video game, it's real life. We need to look at the reason it's happening in the first place and figure out how to meet half way. Our big bombs vs their small bombs. Same.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

And you meet halfway with terrorists... how?

 

[keaster]

Unfortunately the war ISIS is waging goes beyond borders on a map. Especially since they are able to use the internet and social media to radicalize those who feel marginalized in society no matter where they are to do their bidding. It's brainwashing on a whole new level.

 

[MickeySP]

This isn't a video game, it's real life. We need to look at the reason it's happening in the first place and figure out how to meet half way. Our big bombs vs their small bombs. Same.

OMG how ridiculously uninformed is that statement. Isis, and their affiliates do not want a dialogue, they do not want to negotiate they simple want to extinguish all non-Islamic life. The sooner the rest of the naïve we can just talk to them idiots get that through their heads the sooner an actual plan can be put in place.

To put in succinctly - they want you dead, they want your children dead, they want your parents dead. They want an Islamic world that reflects their idealogy. It's like saying the Jews should have negotiated with the Nazis.

 

[Magpie]

If you don't know, I guess you're not paying attention.

I am paying attention, and I would like an answer please. Specifically, which countries would you like to invade? How many soldiers are you willing to involve in foreign wars? And for how long? What weapons are you willing to use on the populace of these countries, if they try to resist your invasions? How will you rule these countries, once you've rooted out all resistance to your occupation? What about your own fellow citizens? How will you determine which of them have terrorist sympathies and are planning to attack you from within your own borders?

And again... tell me, please, what "they" look like and how we should identify them. Because, here in Canada, our most recent terrorist wasn't on anyone's radar. He was the homeless, drug-addicted, mentally ill son of a public servant.

Who decides who "they" are? If you object to something your gov't does in the name of "wiping them off the map" (such as monitoring all your communications), does that make you one of "them", too?