Terrorist threats....

[AirForceRocks]

For everyone that says "There's nothing I can do", I beg to differ. No, it's not likely that you're going to overhear a terrorist on his cell phone, planning where to park the truck or telling the other guy which mall to bomb. But simply being aware of stuff that seems out of the ordinary *could* make a difference...

...it's hot out - why is that guy walking around in a winter coat?

...hmmm...why is that box sitting at the door of that building?

...why is that open jar sitting on the subway platform?

...why has that same truck driven around this block or building 4 times in the last 5 minutes?

...hey, I wonder why that guy just dropped a backpack into that trash can by City Hall?

...that truck that is broken down on the bridge...why is that guy running away from it?

I'm not suggesting that everyone start tackling strangers on the street, but just take the time to *notice* what is going on around you that seems out of the ordinary.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
I'm not suggesting that everyone start tackling strangers on the street, but just take the time to *notice* what is going on around you that seems out of the ordinary. [/B]

Your whole post was brilliant, but this bit actually made me smile. Considering how nervous these warnings tend to make me (lived in NYC through 9/11 and now have moved to Washington D.C) that actually means alot. Thanks!

 

[helenabear]

AFR, that was a very good post... sadly those are things I always looked out for long before 9/11 so maybe that's why my attitude is the way it is.

 

[goofy4tink]

AFR...you sure did hit the nail on the head!! I do have to say that living 30 miles west of Boston is making me a little nervous. Seattle is quite lovely in late July. Maybe it's time for a quick visit with my little brother. We can all be more vigilant. Does it scare me? Heck yes. But, sometimes I think that's the terrorist's main goal...to scare the beejeebers out of us. Make us stay in our homes, cowering in fear. Not me...I'm living my life day by day...making my plans to visit WDW in August. Not a whole lot I can do other than stay vigilant.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Great reply AFR, thanks.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by helenabear

My true feelings are these are more of a "cover yourself" so no one can say they weren't warned.

I'm quite sure there is more to it than just cover yourself....this is a real alert so people will be more observant and someone might, notice something that could prevent an attack....it also serves as a deterent of sorts, since they know people are watching for strange behaviour,


I am sure like Robin said I will not have any possible way of seeing anything "out of the ordinary"

if everyone chooses to believe they can't help or can't see anything, then no one will...but if everyone tries, someone just might see something that will prevent hundreds/ thousands/ maybe even millions from getting hurt..

I am sure that if something is going to happen that I will have no clue it is about to happen because I am not a trained person to find the "bad people" out there.


I am not saying that people shouldn't be aware of a situation, but for the most part, this type of thing is out of my hands. If something is meant to happen, it wll and there is no way I can stop it. You have your opinons on it, and I have mine as well, and trust me anything I see will be reported... but then again after living on a major college campus for 4+ years, you learn to be aware always and don't need the news to shove it down your throat. [/QUOTE

 

[helenabear]

You might want to see my above post in reply to AFR... you might notice I am aware of things that might help and have been for many years prior to attacks. Comes with living in not so nice areas... we obviously see things differently on a few things, I do understand what you are trying to say, but I am not sure you understand that I live my life the same way... I've always noticed when things seem out of sorts... these warnings have not changed me to do that though, other things have and I choose to see what I do and have a happy life doing all I do. It really saddens me when I hear people say they are scared by these "possible attacks"... really truly breaks my heart and I will not be one who will help fuel that fear.

 

[Beth76]

I tend to think it's the governments way of "letting us know" that attacks might occur. When they don't, then they can say, "See, we're doing such a good job, that we prevented those 'attacks'. Re-elect us."

 

[MICKEY88]

there's a difference between fueling fears..and trying to get people to believe that they can make a difference by being more aware of what's going on, and being more observant..

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Beth76
I tend to think it's the governments way of "letting us know" that attacks might occur. When they don't, then they can say, "See, we're doing such a good job, that we prevented those 'attacks'. Re-elect us."

I wish I could believe it was that simple....

I don't believe the government would spend the money invoolved for false warnings..

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

The one thing I think we can all agree on is that the United States will truly never be "safe" again. I'm sure we've had terrorists living on US soil for months, years -- maybe even decades. When the opportunity comes along they will strike again. It's up to everyone of us to do what we can to delay it as long as possible. But, unfortunately, it will happen again and I just pray we will be prepared. Don't mean to scare or upset anyone, just want people to be realistic about what the future holds.

 

[HollyJoy]

It's very scarey, and very real. I think that many of us have let our guards down since 9/11. It's time to put them back up. A couple of the terrorists who flew the planes into the buildings (not sure which ones) actually had flight time at a small airfield about 10 miles from here. Too close for comfort.

 

[MICKEY88]

did anyone watch the press conference, they have very real reasons for expecting something to happen, and believe the terrorists are in the final stages of executing an attack...

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Several questions come to my mind. First, why aren't they raising the terror threat level with these new warnings? Isn't that the whole purpose?
Secondly, and hopefully not related too much, I read last week (?) about WDW having barracades put up around the parks. I forget the details but supposedly they are supposed to stop truck bombs. At the time they said it didn't have to deal with specific threats...of course would they admit it if it did?

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Luckymommyx2
Several questions come to my mind. First, why aren't they raising the terror threat level with these new warnings? Isn't that the whole purpose?
Secondly, and hopefully not related too much, I read last week (?) about WDW having barracades put up around the parks. I forget the details but supposedly they are supposed to stop truck bombs. At the time they said it didn't have to deal with specific threats...of course would they admit it if it did?

WDW has been on the list of possible targets since the beginning, most likely the barricades are the result of consulting with security experts and developing a longterm plan to make the parks as safe as possible...

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Being aware of your surrondings is an easy thing to do and it will make a differance.
Let me just say this... In August of 2001. Labor day weekend to be exact. We took a large family trip to Orlando. We flew SW out of Providence. There was one man of Arab descent who was taking our flight. I admit we had a rather spirted group. He was openly glaring at all of us in fact seething. The two teen we had with us had on belly type shirts and he was really creeping them out. I made some jokes about it to lighten the mood, ( please remeber this was pre 9/11) Well he was making me sweat, truly. We obviously flew to Orlando no problem, he never spoke to anyone, Stewardesses included and abrubtly departed. Of course before that he winds up in our shuttle car. Again seething. By now I am telling the kids it must be your shirts stay away from him. He took his one carry on and went right out the front door no bags to claim. He made a rather large impression on us. We even joked he was a terrorist.
Imagine my absolute freak out when 4 days after we got home 9/11. we again disscussed the guy. I called the task force. reported the man and mostly my unsettled feelings about him. I Was contacted by the FBI. For flight time, description of the man clothing, the whole 9 yards. I never heard another word about it.

Imagine my surprise 2 years later when Newsweek published an article, saying that terrorists took several test runs from the North east into MCO. Late summer 2001. Anyone read that? Now cut to now. If I was in even 1/3 as, uncomfortable by anything even close to this experience NOW. I would not get on the plane. I would get someone in authority asap. Anything around you that makes you give pause is worth reporting. even to make yourself feel better. Now that my stomach is in knots repeating that. I will say if you see my counter, I am planning on traveling by plane this summer. And at this point am giving serious thought to bagging the whole thing. If that makes them win, Then I guess with me they do. I am traveling with 4 kids and just am not all that comfortable with all this new info.

 

[Ursula]

Originally posted by twinmomplus2new
Being aware of your surrondings is an easy thing to do and it will make a differance.
Let me just say this... In August of 2001. Labor day weekend to be exact. We took a large family trip to Orlando. We flew SW out of Providence. There was one man of Arab descent who was taking our flight. I admit we had a rather spirted group. He was openly glaring at all of us in fact seething. The two teen we had with us had on belly type shirts and he was really creepy them out. I made some jokes about it to lighten the mood, ( please remeber this was pre 9/11) Well he was amking me sweat truly. We obviously flew to Orlando no problem, he never spoke to anyone, Stewardesses included and abrubtly departed. Of course he winds up in our shuttle car. Again seething. By now I am telling the kids it must be your shirts stay away from him. He took his one carry on and went right out the front door no bags to claim. He made a rather large impression on us. We even joked he was a terrorist.
Imagine my absolute freak out when 4 days after we got home 9/11. we again disscussed the guy. I called the task force. reported the man and mostly my unsettled feelings about him. I Was contacted by the FBI. For flight time, description of the man clothing, the whole 9 yards. I never heard another word about it.

Imagine my surprise 2 years later when Newsweek published an article, saying that terrorists took several test runs from the North east into MCO. Late summer 2001. Anyone read that? Now cut to now. If I was in even 1/3 uncomfortable by anything even close to this experience NOW. I would not get on the plane. I would get someone in authority asap. Anything around you that makes you give pause is worth reporting. even to make yourself feel better. Now that my stomach is in nots repeating that. I will say if you see my counter, I am planning on traveling by plane this summer. And at this point am giving serious thhought to bagging the whole thing. If that makes them win, Then I guess with me they do. I am traveling with 4 kids and just am not all that comfortable with all this new info.

Wow! That story gave me the chills.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Luckymommyx2
Several questions come to my mind. First, why aren't they raising the terror threat level with these new warnings? Isn't that the whole purpose?
Secondly, and hopefully not related too much, I read last week (?) about WDW having barracades put up around the parks. I forget the details but supposedly they are supposed to stop truck bombs. At the time they said it didn't have to deal with specific threats...of course would they admit it if it did?

WDW has been on the list of possible targets since the beginning, most likely the barricades are the result of consulting with security experts and developing a longterm plan to make the parks as safe as possible...

 

[Virgo10]

Originally posted by bellacam
I know this is silly but when I heard this on the news, all I could think of was 24 where the last couple of episodes were about bio terrorism and releasing a killer virus on America...OK so I might not sleep tonight....keep thinking the DNC is in Boston this year and way too close to home!

Yikes! Me too. Makes me hope these freaks don't get Fox over in terroristland.

Roberta

 

[MICKEY88]

I have family members who were in NYC Labor day weekend 2001, while waiting in line at the Statue of Liberty, they noticed 2 Middle Eastern men in line behind them...although they were speaking English they were acting a little suspiciously..once they got up to the observation level, the 2 men stopped speaking English and were pointing in the direction of the twin towers..as they had a private conversation.... after 911 my family members quickly got their film developed to see if there were any pictures that might have included these two men..none of the pics did, but they are pretty sure that at least one of the men was among those pictured as the hijackers..

family contacted the FBI also..