Dismissing terrorist threats altogether makes us look like fools here

[DeepModem Mom]

Terrorism is a fact of life in our world. Ask Britain, Ireland, Israel, etc. We acknowledge that Bush has fallen far short in instituting real measures against terrorism since 9/11, but instead has used that event for political gain, and to seize more and more power. We acknowledge that his war in war in Iraq has increased the chance of terrorism. And we acknowledge that the strutting cowboy has not "hunted down" Osama, who remains free years after 9/11. (And we acknowledge our own acts, resulting in the suffering and death of innocents.)

My tinfoil hat is on regarding the timing, and even authenticity, of Osama tapes. But it worries me that a poll on this board indicates a large majority here think bin Laden cannot be considered a threat. He may be dead, he may be only a figurehead, he may still hold power -- he may not. But what he represents, IMO, poses a threat not only to this country, but around the world.

[w13rd0]

1. I'm more threatened...

...by drunk drivers and toxins in the air we breathe and water we drink.

[Zenlitened]

2. Don't worry. Right-wing fuck-ups don't think he's a threat either.

Ask them why Bush has failed to catch him, and they say "bin Laden is just a figurehead, anyway."

[C_U_L8R]

3. I don't dismiss the threat

I dismiss the fascit f*cks who USE the threats
for their own political gain - like the old farts
who say Osama sounds like Howard or other nonsense.

And I dismiss the corrupt cronies of a crooked president
who USE the threats to cover for their own illegal acts -
like when the president authorizes TORTURE and ILLEGAL
wiretapping,

[LincolnMcGrath]

4. It's all in the frame. Putting your spin on an ambiguously worded poll

result, makes us look like fools as well.

[Beelzebud]

5. Agreed. The failure to get Bin Laden is what inspired my intense hatred

of Bush.

To say Bin Laden is not a threat is a fucking joke...

It's just that Bush totally fucked up the job of bringing him to justice.

[yknot]

6. No he's a lethal threat, controlled and operated by the BFEE.

He's just the sword, beware the hand that wields it.

[Solly Mack]

7. Terrorism is real - even if the "war on terror" is a joke (deadly joke)

The lies, disinformation and manipulation coming from the government does just as much to harm us, if not more (and I'd say more), than terrorism does - it's because of all the government lies, disinformation and manipulation that people scoff at "terror alerts" and "new tapes" ... this is why Bush has brought more danger to America and Americans than he could ever prevent with his actions. His actions haven't been in the best interests of the people ...his actions haven't been about protecting the people...

[TallahasseeGrannie]

8. I think maybe "war on terror"

is over-stated. We have a problem with hate and cultural clashes. But it really isn't a war, as we normally use the word.

About the timing of the tape... we have been saying that it came just as things were going badly for Bush. But when you think of it, when in the last year has Bush NOT had a bad week?

So I'm clueless. I have no idea if OBL is in bed with Bushco or not. No idea at all.

[Sal Minella]

14. "But it really isn't a war, as we normally use the word."

Gore Vidal did a lovely riff on this -- he said talking about a "War on Terror" is like talking about a "War on Dandruff" -- it's a metaphor.

Somebody else on D.U. mentioned the * War of Terror on American Democracy.

[Horse with no Name]

9. Terrorism has ALWAYS existed

from the early days of our country until today.
From the Apaches scalping the stagecoach passengers and Pony Express Riders to the threats of Cold War until today.
I grew up terrified of Russia. We practiced what to do in case "the bomb" dropped while we were at school.
The idea has always been to create an awareness of your surroundings.
However, this has gone far beyond that to the point of silliness.
Reference "The Boy who Cried Wolf".
I have no doubts that at some point, a terrorist threat that comes down the pike will be correct just as I have no doubt that many will suspect it as another ploy to divert our attention.
This administration has played the terrorism card out. THEY are the ones who have trivialized the threat potential for political gain and turned OBL into a paper tiger, not us.

[rudy23]

10. This whole OBL tape and NSA debate is a trap

They're trying to get people to come out and say things like "we aren't worried about terrorists", so that the next time an attack slips past the goalie, they will use it to destroy the Democratic party.

Yes, this whole OBL tape SHOULD hurt Bush, by showing that we haven't captured OBL. This just goes to show, it doesn't matter WHAT happens, what matters is how aggressively you can twist the argument in your favor, once something does happen.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. There is no doubt that the threat of a terrorist attack is real. My

doubt lies with the claims by Bush administration that their actions have made us safer. IMO their policies in the ME have done nothing to reduce our risk, but have given the terrorist even more reasons to hate us. Having said that, I refuse to live my life in fear of another attack or to allow the possibility of another attack to force me to give away my rights and freedoms as established by the Constitution.

[ninkasi]

29. Wise words, Arkansas Granny...

Terror is real enough, but our invasion of Iraq has increased the likelihood of more attacks in this country. Before Bush's war of choice, Iraq was no threat to us. Osama bin Ladin and al Qaeda were Saddam's enemies, and one had nothing to do with the other. The so-call War on Terror has only provoked a new wave of enemies by our invasion of a Muslim country.

I, too, refuse to live my life cowering in a duct taped house, begging Daddy Bush to please save me. I refuse to surrender the liberties my ancestors fought so hard for. The real fears I have are those which are caused by Bush and his out of control administration. I fear loss of liberty, the economic devastation of the poor and middle classes, the worsening health care crisis, and many other things more than I fear terrorist attacks.

I always get a smile when I see your screen name, by the way, because I had an Arkansas Granny. She, my father, and my uncles moved here to Texas in the 1930's, but I always loved hearing her talk about growing up and living in rural Arkansas.

[Arkansas Granny]

31. I'm not an Arkansas native, but I've lived here for nearly 40 years

and can't imagine living anywhere else. There are some fine people here.

BTW, glad to see that Bush hasn't scared you either. I'm more afraid of Bush and his henchmen than I am of terrorists.

[mtnsnake]

12. Dismissing the idea of diplomacy can also make us look like fools

With criminals like Bush, diplomacy is not in their dictionary. I'm not talking about bargaining with terrorists either; I'm talking about sitting down with other COUNTRIES and working out peaceful solutions that benefit EVERYONE and not just earth-sucking oil magnates.

[converted_democrat]

13. I think he is a threat.. I think he's a puppet that works in tandem with

the administration.. How else does one account for his saying exactly what helps the White House the most on so many separate occasions? He's just as big of threat to us as * is...

[LoKnLoD]

15. Terrorism is every where

and it can never be stopped, unless the world turns into a Utopia, then we would probably still have terrorist who like chaos. We even have a terrorist in our White House in the views of many in the USA and the world.

[seabeyond]

16. no dismiss. govt get your ass out there and do your job. easy enough

we hire and pay them to pay attention to this crap and take down the bad guys. i am also pragmatic enough to know only most of it wont happen, some will. life, deal wth. do the best job, work hard... get it done, by the rule of law. that is plenty fine

i also know bullshit bush manipulates the fear factor. another reality that we live with. that must be kept in mind. we also know that bush lies about everything, literally. another factor that is just as important to remember. so my solution

get reasonable people that think, and want to solve the problem, and keep us safe, and knows the importance of support by not lying, take care of our security issue.

and when obl comes up with a tape that is in all ways perfect to bash dems, support bush and allow him more power over me, i........ am going take that into consideration too.

multi thinking. not black and white. it cannot be, or you are going to be walking in lie somewhere. dems are good at multi thinking, republicans seem to be totally inadaquit wth that exercise

[earth mom]

17. Sorry, but I'm more worried about the CLASS WAR.

The TOTAL DEVASTATION that happens when you don't have enough to eat or a roof over your head because your job was outsourced to India and you couldn't find a job that would pay enough to pay the bills you acquired when you had a good paying job, so you lost everything you worked your whole life for. And to add insult to injury, your husband (or wife) got sick and you didn't have insurance because you had no job and now you owe thousands of dollars and can't wash any of your debts with bankruptcy because the whores in congress decided to favor their buddies the corporate whores and cut off the only option you had for a fresh start in life... :grr:

Sorry, but the CLASS WAR kind of terrorism that's going on in the U.S. of A. to millions of people is far worse than anything the so called terrorists of the middle east can do right now to us.

However... if the idiot in charge goes along with his plans for Iran....then we will be dealing with some extreme nuclear terror...NO DOUBT about that! :scared:

[ninkasi]

30. I agree, TheGoldenRule

Another terrorist attack is a possibility, but the Class War Republicans have been waging is a fact, and they have escalated the intensity of their attacks dramatically. This is the war we have to win. First, though, we need to convince our leadership that there is such a war, and that it needs to be fought with passion and with every ounce of strength we have.

[flordehinojos]

18. now aren't they just a mirror image of each other. no wonder their poppies

were such good friends (oil business partners even?) until one of them dropped down in a plane. bush signature par exellence?

[lectrobyte]

19. Terrorism is a very remote possibility. Threat? Yes, it's a threat,

but for most people you are probably more likely to be struck by lightning than experience first hand a terrorist attack.

The real danger is a president on vacation who ignores briefings titled "Bin Laden Determine to Attack in US." I'm more worried that the president needs another attack to 1) give us a good reason to invade Iran (gain control of the oil, and stop the Iranians for selling it for Euros) and 2) distract from all the scandals etc. in time for the '06 elections.

[Contrary1]

20. I don't dismiss terrorists,

but contrary (hence, the name ;-) ) to how this administration would like me to react,
I refuse to believe that this bunch of criminals can protect me, or is really trying
to do so.

They tell us to go about our daily routines, right after releasing yet another threat
from this or that bogeyman. That is to ensure big business doesn't suffer a financial
hit from citizens cowering in their homes.

Be afraid! But don't be that afraid!

It's BS.

[blindpig]

21. The question was poorly worded

and elicited a knee-jerk response. Perhaps it should have asked how much of a threat relative to...That the latest message from OBL seemed to be written for Faux News didn't help. Looking more like MIHOP every day...

There are surely people in this world who want to hurt us, badly. How much of a real threat is the question. That we have not been hit since 911 makes me suspicious. While some of security probably improved and maybe some schemes have been foiled we're still wide open. To a large degree this is as it should be, we're a free society and the kinds of actions required to make us "safer" would make Kim Il Sung proud. Our ports are wide open, if these guys are so bad why have they not put something really ugly in a container destined for a US port? To me that speaks of a lack of ability. Or maybe a lack of will?? I don't know.

[Beam Me Up]

22. WHO ARE THE TERRORISTS?

This is the question we all need answered. The answer to that question IS a matter of national security.

Osama bin Boogyman, whatever threat he may pose, is ONLY AN AGENT. He did not have the ability to countermand our entire National Air Defense system--a VERY well financed system, a VERY hi-tech system, a system DESIGNED not only to counter but withstand a first strike nuclear capability; He did not have the ability to cause aircraft to 'evade detection' for almost two hours and allow one to penetrate the most heavily monitored and defended airspace on the planet; He did not have the ability to cause three steel skyscrapers to crumble to broken beams of steel and pulverized dust in a matter of seconds -- none of this was "caused" by bin Laden.

Not only are the 9/11 criminals STILL AT LARGE, we do not even know who they are! And, indeed, THAT should be a genuine concern for everyone. Everyone.

[ProfessorGAC]

23. I Don't Dismiss It. I Just Don't Fear It

Quite frankly, i don't think it can be efficiently, reliably, and with any certainty, prevented. I definitely don't think the idiots in power now can do a single thing to protect americans.

So, it is what it is, and i'll not sit around worrying about it, one way or the other. So, i guess you could consider that my way of saying he's no threat. Because whatever he does, i won't worry about it before the fact.

Remember when Silverspoon asked if it would take a mushroom cloud over a U.S. city before we would act? My answer is pretty much, yes! Retaliation is one thing. Striking first is a whole 'nother thing.
The Professor

[Warren DeMontague]

24. Terrorism is A threat. It is not, however, THE Threat.

Nor is it the threat-to-end-all-threats, which requires a wholesale junking of our constitution.

You want to talk about Israel? They've lived with terrorism for DECADES, and compared to 9-11, they've had HUGE amounts of their population killed by it, proportionally. And I'm not minimizing the awfulness of it.

But what have they done? Have they thrown out their system of government? Does their populace live in a state of near-hysteria, running around with their fucking hair on fire, big wet spots spreading out in their laps every time a spooky man with a turban shows up on the teeeveee? No. They deal with it, they accept that it's something which requires attention from a security standpoint.. but they don't let it turn their entire lives completely upside down.. in short, they don't LET it "terrorize" them. If you live in TERROR, the "terrorists" (whoever they are) win, don't they?

Shit, lets fight the war on terror. Lets do it by figuring out who is REALLY supporting "Al Qaeda" - lets follow the financial links to the 9-11 hijackers, even the ones which go through the Family Saud or the Bush-affiliated Riggs Bank. Lets get some honest answers why the government mysteriously lets REAL terrorists, like Nabil Al-Marabh, free, inexplicably..

Unfortunately, with this gang in power, we're never going to get any real answers. I hope you understand that.

But yes, it's a threat. So are a lot of things. Frankly, long term, I'm much more concerned about the impact global warming and our planetary petroleum addiction will have on the fate of the world and humanity than I am about terrorism. And this administration has used 'terrorism' as a cheap, political tool- if anyone doesn't take it seriously at this point, it's their own fault.

[The Stranger]

25. A very wrongheaded post, playing right into fear and into their hands.

Required Viewing: The Power of Nightmares

[txindy]

26. The HS color-coded terra alert hasn't changed, so, no, no threat perceived

Doesn't our gummint know best? We haven't changed alert status, so.... No threat, apparently. :sarcasm:

[DanCa]

27. It's the boy who cried wolf syndrome

The chimp has lied so many times it's hard to believe anything that comes out of his mouth.
Note the real moral of the Boy who cried wolf was really not about lying it was about telling the same lie twice. If and when we have another attack here in the USA it'll because no one believed the chimps lying ass.

[porphyrian]

28. It was a bad question.

Vaccine-resistant polio is also a real threat, and possibly more of one than bin Laden to most of America. Automobile deaths and heart disease are far more of a threat in one year than all terrorist attacks on us since the Declaration of Independance. What we should be asking is a) what are the most immediate real threats to address and b) why are we being distracted by a tertiary one?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

32. IMHO, the threat of terrorism is inconsequential when compared to the....

...overwhelming global threat presented by the NeoCon Junta.

Additionally, the NeoCon Junta has lied about everything to date, and is simply not to believed on any subject.

[leftofthedial]

33. being consistently short-changed at the grocery store

is a bigger problem than terror world-wide

terrorism is a negligible issue compared to dozens of real problems we should be trying to solve.