Three Years Later -- Do You Feel Safer?

[Chris M.]

Many of you have probably heard me rip Bush for not protecting our ports, nuclear plants and chemical plants. Here is a little bit on our ports:

Of those nearly eight million containers, only about six percent get close inspection.** That’s a low number, say terrorism experts, who warn that this is where the United States is most vulnerable — and it may be the easiest fix.

Experts agree, increasing inspection to ten percent would create a quantum leap in protection and would be relatively inexpensive, costing a few hundred million dollars.

“I'm afraid it's just a question of when, not if, terrorists will exploit maritime containers to do harm in the United States. There's no question the system is open and vulnerable," says Steven Flynn, an expert on ports who sits on the Council of Foreign Relations.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5934537/

Come on Dubya. It's been three years, and one of our most vulnerable spots is still a gaping hole saying "come terrorize me?"

All of his rhetoric about "single-mindedness" and "focused" and "you know where I stand" is all a load of crap.

I haven't been as critical of Bush missing the signals before 9/11 as some, but if he utterly FAILS to take basic steps to protect us AFTER the attacks, then he is guilty of nothing less than criminal negligence.

[Claymore]

Short answer: no.

[Chicago1871]

Nope. But I, like a lot of the country, have gotten complacent.

[Frankfurt Blue]

Would it make any difference really to the security of the USofA? NO.
You implement 1 means of security, terrorists will just find ways around it.

[Claymore]

Would it make any difference really to the security of the USofA? NO.
You implement 1 means of security, terrorists will just find ways around it.

Right, so doing nothing to plug the obvious holes is acceptable.

[Chicago1871]

Would it make any difference really to the security of the USofA? NO.
You implement 1 means of security, terrorists will just find ways around it.
That's like saying, "well people are always going to speed, so why have a speed limit?" If nothing else, at least make the terrorists try to find a way around, don' just hand it to them on a silver platter.

[dawgpound2]

I absolutely feel safer than I thought I ever would again after 9/11.

Now, whether I really am or not is another question.

[IntheNet]

Since 09/11/01, the United States has not suffered an attack from terrorists within the domestic (continental) United States. From this statement, three assumptions can be made on national security:
1. Terrorists have not attacked the United States since 09/11/01.
2. Terrorists have attacked the United States but have been deterred.
3. Terrorists have been prevented from attacking the United States.

In all, 1,2, & 3, strong national defense plays a major part. You make the call!

IntheNet
Bush/Cheney in 2004

[Frankfurt Blue]

Right, so doing nothing to plug the obvious holes is acceptable.

Well at least the terrorists have already won then, since mass paranoia has set in. That is a form of terrorism........people living in fear and just can't get on with it.

Saying that though, having implemented mass tax cuts for his rich pals and spending billions more on American 'defence', seems 'amusing' that something that costs a fraction of the defense budget and would be of much greater impact on the lives of US citizens has been overlooked.

[Frankfurt Blue]

That's like saying, "well people are always going to speed, so why have a speed limit?" If nothing else, at least make the terrorists try to find a way around, don' just hand it to them on a silver platter.


First question is why there is a terrorist threat, don't you think in the first place?

[USAsoccer]

Many of you have probably heard me rip Bush for not protecting our ports, nuclear plants and chemical plants. Here is a little bit on our ports:



In reality, we have a long way to go...But yes, I do feel safer. If you disagree, go to the airport and take a flight...

But the events in Russia, Spain, and in Asia prove out that we are way ahead of other coutries, and that the terrorist threat is VERY real, and that the policy of being on the offense is proving out to be the best deterrent.

Say what you will, but I beleive the recent attack in Russia is going to be a HUGE underlying current favoring President Bush.

[Chicago1871]

First question is why there is a terrorist threat, don't you think in the first place?
"Why is there a terrorist threat?" Is that what you're saying? I'm sorry, I just don't follow the logic of the question.

[Chris M.]

First question is why there is a terrorist threat, don't you think in the first place?


Ssshhhhhhhhh . . .

The administration is too busy distracting us with symptoms. It is unpatriotic for you to come in here and try to dredge up the actual problems.

[Frankfurt Blue]

In reality, we have a long way to go...But yes, I do feel safer. If you disagree, go to the airport and take a flight...

But the events in Russia, Spain, and in Asia prove out that we are way ahead of other coutries, and that the terrorist threat is VERY real, and that the policy of being on the offense is proving out to be the best deterrent.

Say what you will, but I beleive the recent attack in Russia is going to be a HUGE underlying current favoring President Bush.

Way ahead? Totally different scenarios. Russia is made up of several different internal states, shares borders with many other countries of differing cultures and ideals, straddles 2 continents. The United States shares it's main borders with Canada and Mexico.

[Frankfurt Blue]

"Why is there a terrorist threat?" Is that what you're saying? I'm sorry, I just don't follow the logic of the question.

Solve the actual root of the problem as to why the USA is threatened, not just react to it, spending billions and adding to the problem.

[Chris M.]

In reality, we have a long way to go...But yes, I do feel safer. If you disagree, go to the airport and take a flight...

But the events in Russia, Spain, and in Asia prove out that we are way ahead of other coutries, and that the terrorist threat is VERY real, and that the policy of being on the offense is proving out to be the best deterrent.

Say what you will, but I beleive the recent attack in Russia is going to be a HUGE underlying current favoring President Bush.

That's all swell. Now address the article which says our most vulnerable target would be the easiest and cheapest to fix . . . and we have done little.

I am guessing that the ports of entry in Iraq are far more secure than Corpus Christi or San Francisco.

[USAsoccer]

Ssshhhhhhhhh . . .

The administration is too busy distracting us with symptoms. It is unpatriotic for you to come in here and try to dredge up the actual problems.

Yea, that right Chris... blame the victims for terrorism...

In fact, it's the Children's fault that Arabs/Chechens took that school the other week.

I don't understand the view that we need to "understand" why terrorist "feel" the way they do... Hey, I could care less why murderers murder. I simply don not want them to murder! (I still like you Chris...you are still one of the best posters around... ;) )

[Chicago1871]

Solve the actual root of the problem as to why the USA is threatened, not just react to it, spending billions and adding to the problem.
Gotcha. Sorry, the question just didn't read right to me for some reason.

[USAsoccer]

Solve the actual root of the problem as to why the USA is threatened, not just react to it, spending billions and adding to the problem.

See post above.... :cool:

[Chicago1871]

I don't understand the view that we need to "understand" why terrorist "feel" the way they do... Hey, I could care less why murderer murder. I simply don not want them to murder! (I still like you Chris...you are still one of the best posters around... ;) )
Understanding why someone commits murder can be used to prevent others who think the same way from doing it. It's called psychology, and it is very much a part of "warfare" today.