Progressive Boink

[blacktoothgrin]

it's funny how you think that it is limited to america.

farenheit 9/11 was not about scotland

talkin about the fear of terrorism, not that fat guys movie.

[Bismark]

I always thought that the Amherst, MA area would be a prime target if they wanted to really stir up the hornet's nest. There's about 5 major colleges within a 20 mile radius, and I've heard that the UMass campus there is in the top five for population density for certain times of the year. And the town next to it has a small airport.

[Captain Hot Stuff]

I don't know anyone in Australia who gives a shit about terrorism, except for about two weeks after the Bali bombing. The indignfied media response was something like, "Well, they might bomb the Sydney Harbour Bridge... or... um... the Sydney Harbour Bridge..."

[Terry Cheesecake]

talkin about the fear of terrorism, not that fat guys movie.

The attack on Glasgow airport showed just how fucking amateur our terrorists are though. Taken down by a baggage handler for fuck's sake. There's bits of Glasgow that could do with being nuked, Ibrox this Saturday would be a start.

[B]

Well shit, at least Lynchburg's reason seemed legit. Not like they were trying to destroy the World's Ugliest Building or something.

[DGMacphee]

I'm not a terrorism expert (no duh!) but it seems like most major terrorist attacks in Western countries happen either a) on economic or political targets (ie. an embassy, the WTC, the Pentagon), or b) transportation targets (ie. trains, planes, buses, airports) with a lot of people in confined areas in major cities (London, NYC, LA, Madrid) -- maximum casualities in the smallest area, plus disrupting transport infastructure.

Oddly enough, in Western society chemical plants and refineries don't seem much like targets unless there's more to gain, such as political/cultural significance or substantial casualties. I don't remember reading of any attacks on US refineries or chemical plants, probably because such attacks don't have a huge effect economically -- there are bigger and more economically tangible targets in other countries. But if there's a political/cultural reason added or a potentially high casualty rate, it does make the target more viable.

There was a foiled terror plot on JFK Airport earlier this year. It was a target because the jet fuel lines travelled throughout NYC. If you attack the jet fuel lines you'd destroy an expensive resource (jet fuel), damage NYC transport infastructure (the airport), damage the city, kill/injure a lot of people, and hit a landmark of political/cultural significance (One of the arrested terror suspects said, "If you hit [JFK], the whole country will be in mourning. It's like you can kill the man twice.").

(BTW, critics suggest that blowing up the jet fuel lines was a technically impossibile and that the plot was never really operational.)

Also, as an aside consider that terrorist bombings happen more frequently in Middle Eastern countries. In fact, on a daily basis.

My point is if you live in a Western country AND you're not involved in government or live near a government facility AND you live in a small town/city far away from any airports or major transit centres, it seems like the odds are in your favour.

I reckon the Mule Day Parade is safe for another day.

[James]

but dg we're the largest apple-tree resource in the entire tri-state area

[DGMacphee]

OH SHIT HIDE UNDER YOUR SCHOOL DESKS!!

[Rusty Cooledge v2]

brb buying duct tape tape to put on my windows

no not for chemical gas theres just a terrible draft in here

[webber]

My point is if you live in a Western country AND you're not involved in government or live near a government facility AND you live in a small town/city far away from any airports or major transit centres, it seems like the odds are in your favour.

i work in a government building in the middle of sydney

[Alicia]

I live like 5 miles from LAX and about 7 miles from the San Pedro Harbor.

it seems like most major terrorist attacks in Western countries happen either a) on economic or political targets (ie. an embassy, the WTC, the Pentagon), or b) transportation targets (ie. trains, planes, buses, airports) with a lot of people in confined areas in major cities (London, NYC, LA, Madrid)

[Andy]

alicia how did you survive the suitcase nuke that went off in valencia did ANYONE help you guys out or what

[DGMacphee]

i work in a government building in the middle of sydney

THE TERRORISTS ARE COMING FOR YOU WEBBER!! QUICKLY HIDE IN A BURLAP SACK!!