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In reply to the discussion: Guardian: Why does America lose its head over 'terror' but ignore its daily gun deaths? [View all]alarimer
(16,245 posts)We acted like normal human beings, not pissing our pants in fear, and they caught McVeigh. Rudolph got away largely because the FBI was focused on someone else AND he had help. There were many, many people who aided and abetted him while he was living in the mountains.
So, no, normal police procedures work generally. Locking a city down did not work. They lifted the order (I know it wasn't an order, I'm just not sure of the correct term) and he was found. So by what logic can we say the "shelter in place" actually worked? It certainly didn't help police find him, when more eyes not fewer might have been better.
Our vaunted "surveillance" state didn't work either. They were found because, like a couple of rank amateurs, which they no doubt were, they held up a convenience store. It's like they watched too many movies. So, again, old-fashioned police footwork. Sure, all those photos helped narrow it down a bit but there is a lot of data to sift through if you're in a hurry and probably led to a delay in identifying the proper suspects.
I'm dismayed at the ease in which we have given up freedom for illusory security. By just accepting the need to stay off the streets and disrupt normal life we have given in to the terrorists. They love nothing more than to disrupt everything.