Terror warnings- debate.

[Bethshaya]

I more read these alerts as a "What can you do for your country" not a "What can they do for You" alert.

Think about it...

How hard it must be to track down something or someone you have little or no information on.

How many are in this country? Where are they? Who is helping them? What are they planning and where? When?

Terrorists use the internet frequently to pass information. However they speak on in such vague terms and in a "flowery" language that we just dont understand.

I truly believe these alerts are just what they are: Asking us to be vigilent. Only WE can notice our neighbor is acting weird, or that someone with an oversized bag is doing strange things.

DONT dismiss them. If you are wrong about it, well the FBI will figure it out. If you are RIGHT and do nothing, someone dies.

Be watchful where you work. I know I have called security a number of times because someone leaves a briefcase or bag unattended in our hallway or lobby. They turn out to be nothing, but the one day I dont call, who knows.

My company has already been attacked with anthrax and we lost 4 people out of 700 at the WTC. We run mail rooms for major companies and run the mail room at the House of Reps and the Capitol. Working on the Crisis Management team at that time, we were in overload as we tried to frantically find our missing employees and makes sure everyone was OK. The outpouring of help and supplies within hours from all over the tristate area was overwhelming. We had teams volunteering at ground zero within hours.

We still continue our vigilance today. I suppose when you work in an area or an industry that you know is a target, you are more aware of your surroundings then the average Joe. But even the average Joe should be aware of what to look out for. Its not that its fear mongering, it is reality mongering. We mistakenly assumed (or arrogantly assumed) that the USA was a safe place and everyone loves us. They dont and it isnt.

Yes, the FBI is working hard, but dont shrug off these alerts because you think they are numbing and are "been there done that" stuff.

That's just what the terrorists are hoping for: A selfish american public that wont do anything because it "doesnt really effect them". But oh, how wrong they are. It effects everyone.

Dont be so quick to forget 9/11. DO be quick to help prevent the next one.

Dont take these warnings as a way to incite FEAR. Take them as a plea for HELP from the FBI. They need millions of eyes and ears to help them...not to run and hide.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
Yes, you are so right! It's more of a lifestyle as opposed to just a job. No disrespect intended, I'm greatful for what I've learned.

You' ve started a good debate. This one really makes me think!

Oh I didn't think you meant any disrespect at all. I just new that you've probably heard the same stuff I have for the last 13 years, for your entire life, since it's your daddy. And I just couldn't resist joking with you about it!

 

[Planogirl]

The OKC attack, if nothing else, shows us that some type of attack can truly happen anywhere. Who would have ever thought that quiet, little-noticed OKC would be a target by anyone, even a wacko?

I can see though that people who live and work in NYC and DC would be more nervous than others. There's sometimes talk of attacks on nuclear facilities and oil refineries and even certain buildings in the Dallas area but it doesn't really feel possible. Even though I suppose it is.

 

[peachgirl]

This type of attitude is exactly why I hesitated to post what I did.

My attitude??? What attitude? I simply said that I've experienced the effects of a terrorist attack and it had no effect on my opinion of the effectiveness of the warnings they give out. I know what the aftermath is and I don't think the number of people who died, or who did the bombing changes the effect it has on the individual.

Perhaps you're right. Maybe you do have to "be there" to understand it.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Beth, you sound like me before I started taking medication, lol!
It's hard to live your daily life in such a paranoid way. Obsessing about it, or stalking every guy wearing a turbin on his head won't solve the problem either. It's scary, but how does spraeding hysteria solve anything either. If the FBI and the professionals can't stop it, can we really be expected to?

Palmtree

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
Beth, you sound like me before I started taking medication, lol!
It's hard to live your daily life in such a paranoid way. Obsessing about it, or stalking every guy wearing a turbin on his head won't solve the problem either. It's scary, but how does spraeding hysteria solve anything either. If the FBI and the professionals can't stop it, can we really be expected to?

Palmtree

Rampant over exaggeration, thy name is minniepumpernickel.

No one has said anything about paranoia or about stalking anyone in turbans. Believe it or not, there is a happy medium between hiding in the closet with food and water and walking around in a state of denial and/or naivete.

 

[Jimbo]

Turbans? Where did that come from?

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
Rampant over exaggeration, thy name is minniepumpernickel.

No one has said anything about paranoia or about stalking anyone in turbans. Believe it or not, there is a happy medium between hiding in the closet with food and water and walking around in a state of denial and/or naivete.

Yes, a happy medium is a wise idea. If you know how to hunt, or spot out terrorists please give us your plan?

Jimbo- You always run up and quote me, then when I respond you never answer back? How come?

 

[caitycaity]

If you know how to hunt, or spot out terrorists please give us your plan?

it's called common sense. how about if you saw a guy wearing a winter coat in the middle of august? or if you saw someone leave their suitcase/briefcase on the metro? it's not difficult to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by caitycaity
it's called common sense. how about if you saw a guy wearing a winter coat in the middle of august? or if you saw someone leave their suitcase/briefcase on the metro? it's not difficult to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.

Well ya know I see a guy on the bus wearing winter coats in the summer. He's called a homeless person that has to carry all his belongings on his back.

I'm merely saying, don't let excessive paranoia consume your life. Not directed at anyone in particular. it's good to be vigilant, but I doubt that I'll be saving the world any day soon. *sigh*

 

[Lanshark]

I haven't read all the responses but officials are damned if the do and damned if they don't. It is their responsibility to make the public aware even if there is nothing directly that can be done. History shows us there will be an outcry from the public if the government had any inclination something MAY happen and did not inform the public.

There is no such thing as too much information if the information is factual. I want all of the facts I can get. I may choose to do nothing about it but I want the choice.

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
Jimbo- You always run up and quote me, then when I respond you never answer back? How come?

I don't do it that much. And I say this without meaning offense... I'm quoting something that doesn't make any sense (like turbans), and then when your response doesn't make any sense either, I give up.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by Jimbo
I don't do it that much. And I say this without meaning offense... I'm quoting something that doesn't make any sense (like turbans), and then when your response doesn't make any sense either, I give up.

I wish that I could say the same to you, but I don't remember reading any of your posts. Did you post on the old DB?

I guess you got offended because you like imagining that you can catch terrorists better than the FBI. I have no idea, because you have no posts here?

 

[Jimbo]

See what I mean?

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by Jimbo
See what I mean?

No, how can I know what your opinion is on the subject of terrorism alerts, unless you tell us? You would rather attack someone you disagree with, than state your opinion.

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
No, how can I know what your opinion is on the subject of terrorism alerts, unless you tell us? You would rather attack someone you disagree with, than state your opinion.

Secretary Ridge said that he considered it "very important, on a periodic basis, to frankly just give Americans an update as to where we are and what we are doing." I agree, and I'm glad he did it. I'm probably not in an area or field where I can act on it, but others (like Bethshaya) are. If just one of them notices something that they may not otherwise have noticed, the warning was worthwhile.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by Jimbo
Secretary Ridge said that he considered it "very important, on a periodic basis, to frankly just give Americans an update as to where we are and what we are doing." I agree, and I'm glad he did it. I'm probably not in an area or field where I can act on it, but others (like Bethshaya) are. If just one of them notices something that they may not otherwise have noticed, the warning was worthwhile.

Thank you so much! That sounds like a really rational response. The main thing that I didn't like about Beth's response was the fact that I felt like she was blaming the American public for not taking the warnings seriously, and if something hapenned it would be our fault. I felt that this was unfair.

What field did she say she worked in? It wasn't the FBI was it?