How Safe Are We?

[fdw]

I've talked to numerous people in the know, FBI, NSA, special ops over the last 10 years. One a pretty close friend. All of them get a pretty bad look on their face when I ask the question...

IMO, it's not if, it's when, which is the prevalent feeling...

 

[G.T. Smith]

wow!

[QUOTE. A story I read today says schools and churches are likely targets.
Jim[/QUOTE]

That's it, I'm raising my grand daughters to be illiterate heathens. Now they're safe!
Peace,
gordon

 

[RSBH44]

The Boston Marathon bombing was tragically successful but still on a relatively small scale. If we compare our last fourteen years to those of France, the UK and other countries we have fared pretty well.

I believe the risk from domestic criminals who have no motivation except money, drugs, turf and "respect" is far greater than that from the jihadi. There's no such thing as complete safety and never has been.

I guess I'm just not too adept at pessimism or paranoia.

I'm sorry, but as an increasing society of apathetic citizens I think that we are grossly underestimating their tenacity. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that we should Ever give up any freedoms in fear of what might or could happen but I do think that we need to increase and maintain vigilance.

 

[pharmer]

TV crawler just said " Security beefed up at .gov installations. " We have heard cops, soldiers, etc are targets. Lemme see, I'm a terrorist with a 70 IQ, should I attack a police station with several hundred armed folks (sort of like beating a hornet's nest with a stick) or a school with several hundred children belonging to caring families? Or a football game? Or a shopping mall? You get the idea, "precautions" are always taken to protect "important" lives. I refuse to live in fear, figure the last half of my life has been a gift, it's been free "extra cheese" on the pizza of my life. Joe

 

[Xfuzz]

Frankly, I'm somewhat surprised it(take your pick) has not happened.

 

[rwsmith]

I don't need to be reminded....

I've decided that we have lived well for a long time here in the USA and that it seems that another payment may be due on our freedom. The lives of my son and his children are foremost on my mind. I'm in with the part of the world that realizes that these terrorists are using a cover of 'faith' to kill indiscriminately and that being scared, running and appeasing will be a worse fate than death.

 

[shouldazagged]

I'm sorry, but as an increasing society of apathetic citizens I think that we are grossly underestimating their tenacity. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that we should Ever give up any freedoms in fear of what might or could happen but I do think that we need to increase and maintain vigilance.

I don't for an instant underestimate their tenacity. They are fanatics more than willing to die for their twisted cause. They remember the Crusades as if they were last year.

But I do think there are limits to their abilities. They may hurt us, and I'm all for the individual citizen being alert. But the talk of their taking us down is ridiculous.

I have no plans except to go about my daily life with my eyes and ears open and a firearm and cell phone on my person. I'm not going to let 7th century minds rule me, despite their 21st century equipment, and I don't want the government slapping a lot of restrictions on me in the name of security.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Our nation is very large physically, very open socially and politically, and very welcoming of newcomers. It's very easy for someone to blend in and move about. You'd have to be delusional to think that the other side in our little war on terror isn't here, or that they wouldn't like to attack us here.

I suspect that a lot of potential or planned attacks have been thwarted by the US Government. Remember all the uproar over the NSA's interception of phone calls, and all the whining about the government allegedly "spying" on Americans? I'll bet that those NSA folks have saved a lot of lives...

 

[Beemerguy53]

I don't for an instant underestimate their tenacity. They are fanatics more than willing to die for their twisted cause. They remember the Crusades as if they were last year.

But I do think there are limits to their abilities. They may hurt us, and I'm all for the individual citizen being alert. But the talk of their taking us down is ridiculous.

I have no plans except to go about my daily life with my eyes and ears open and a firearm and cell phone on my person. I'm not going to let 7th century minds rule me, despite their 21st century equipment, and I don't want the government slapping a lot of restrictions on me in the name of security.

With all due respect, our adversaries in this struggle do not think in terms of years or decades, but in terms of centuries and millennia. As you note, they remember the Crusades as if they were last year.

They are willing to work toward a goal they cannot accomplish in their lifetimes. When they claimed that their flag would fly over the White House, they were not talking about that happening any time soon; but they know if they keep chipping away at the fabric of our society, in a couple of centuries their dream will come true.

The challenge for the West is to be as focused on the long term as our enemies are, and to remain vigilant and strong.

 

[labworm]

When you encounter someone dressed in a certain outfit, your awareness level rises.

Not a good thing.

 

[williamlayton]

You may not believe it but Murphy's law is real.
Since when in the history of man on this earth has there been peace---when will there ever be peace.
Those that believe that a government --at any level-- is responsible and CAN make your environment SAFE are sheep in the slaughter pin. They are the first to call "foul" if they are still alive.
On a cruise up the Danube to Amsterdam several years ago there was a night manager on the barge/boat that I became friendly with. This happened because I have a habit for waking up around 3AM.
They keep coffee going 24/7 thank the lord.
This ol boy was from Yugoslavia and he was just terrified of the thought of how America must be. He said Europe was much safer because people were not allowed to carry guns around.
Once we came to an understanding that everybody did not wear guns, like cowboys did, the reality began to sink in, for him. He really was under the impression it was the wild west over here.
I asked him who protected him when the cops were not around. He said the cops were always handy.
Those people have been over-run too many times and they never learn.
I can't help out anyone who walks around in the broad day with blinders on.
Blessings

 

[Hamster65]

Just remember, Senator Frankenstein is the same one who wants to ban all guns that even remotely resemble an AR because they look scary.
I find it hard to put stock in anything that comes out of her mouth.

 

[soFlaNative]

[/B]

Just remember, Senator Frankenstein is the same one who wants to ban all guns that even remotely resemble an AR because they look scary.
I find it hard to put stock in anything that comes out of her mouth.

Who ? ? ? ?

 

[Jessie]

If they did this, we would be horrified but I could pretty much guarantee that THEY would be the ones who get devastated.
Something like that would light a fuse that they would never be able to extinguish.

 

[Harleystoo]

We allow 28,000 Pakistanis to legally (refugees) come into this country every month; and that is only one of a dozen muslim countries that are openly hostile to us. They collect Social Security that they haven't even paid into, and procreate at a faster rate than WASPs.

Sleeper cells (safe houses) here in NM hid the first bombers of the Trade Center. They've been here for decades.

I don't see any fuses being lit on our part.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

As far as safe concerning armed attacks like in France, I feel safe enough.

If you see me carrying a long gun while walking my dog at the park then you'll know I changed my mind.

 

[Jessie]

We allow 28,000 Pakistanis to legally (refugees) come into this country every month; and that is only one of a dozen muslim countries that are openly hostile to us. They collect Social Security that they haven't even paid into, and procreate at a faster rate than WASPs.

Sleeper cells (safe houses) here in NM hid the first bombers of the Trade Center. They've been here for decades.

I don't see any fuses being lit on our part.

We have our heads in the sand as far as who comes here and what they're entitled to, but to rape and kill our children?
Sorry, it would be the beginning of the end for all that ****.
Wouldn't matter who held the reigns either. There would be "change" then.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

What is the price of Freedom?

Freedom to move about freely, from one area of our country to another.
Free to associate with whom we please.
Free to posses the guns, we here on this forum cherish.
Free to say what we wish.(for the most part)

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

We could live under a regime such as the old Soviet Union was under for so many years. But that is not my idea of freedom.

I do still believe that freedom does come at a price...We are paying somewhat to still have some of those freedoms. To be sure, we, as a country are under attack on some of those freedoms.

I cannot allow a very small sector dictate whether I should get on a airplane to fly to another part of this country or the world. I cannot, I will not, allow a a small sector dictate whether I should assemble in a large gathering, such as a large stadium, or any other large sports gathering.

I lived in Spain during the time of Francisco Franco. I saw first hand how the Spaniards lived. They were safe from all external threats. But their freedom came at a price. The same can be said for most all Dictator governments...

I truly hope that it does not come to the point where I am safe, but I have lost my freedoms.

Yes, I believe in this day and age, we must be more vigilant of our surroundings. I am. Yes I will take notice of someone during the hot summer months, wearing a long black coat. Even during these cold winter months, I might notice when a long coat does not fit into the scene. Cars with blacked out windows still get my attention. Again, you get the idea.

For me, it is much the same as the story of the school yard bully, as long as he knows I WILL fight back, I will be able to keep that person(s) at bay.

I believe the most recent incident in France has been a wake up call for us not to become passive in our quest for the freedoms we cherish.

I do wish and hope that our leader(s) would take such a stand of saying what they mean and mean what they say, by taking a stand against any and all who would threaten my (our) freedoms or ideology on which this country was founded.

The words spoken by Abraham Lincoln, "United we stand, divided we fall", is just as true today, as was spoken over 150 years ago.


WuzzFuzz

This might be a good time and place to interject some history and meaning of the Gadsden flag. As it is appropriate to this thread.

http://www.foundingfathers.info/stories/gadsden.html

.

 

[cowart]

He said the cops were always handy.

"When seconds count, the police are only minutes away..."

 

[williamlayton]

Cowart. I asked him if He could go anywhere in Budapest he wished and he said no--there were areas that were not safe.
I live in Houston and there are areas that are not safe but I go where I wish if I need to.
Folks are letting the BG's dictate life to them.
Blessings