Terrorists

[Bubba Wheels]

Al Quedda and terrorism has gone under the radar recently. A poll of mid-U.S. states show terrorist concerns now rank somewhere around 10th in the scale of things (coastal states still rank them higher). With that in mind, are we becoming again too complacent for our own good? Or have we really got Al Quedda on the run? For those interested: http://www.homelandsecurityus.com

What's going on with all those divers?

[yabanci]

nothing like a good dose of fear to get the befuddled masses back in check.

[GoldenEagle]

I read somewhere from a realiable source that United States special forces had Bin Laden cornered and it was just a matter of time before he was captured or he killed himslef.

[yabanci]

The capture annoncement will come right before the republican national convention. Karl Rove ain't stupid.

[GoldenEagle]

The capture annoncement will come right before the republican national convention. Karl Rove ain't stupid.
Your exaclty right. They will never get him alive though. Who knows, they did get Sadaam alive.

[sterlingice]

Al Quedda and terrorism has gone under the radar recently. A poll of mid-U.S. states show terrorist concerns now rank somewhere around 10th in the scale of things (coastal states still rank them higher). With that in mind, are we becoming again too complacent for our own good? Or have we really got Al Quedda on the run? For those interested: http://www.homelandsecurityus.com

What's going on with all those divers?
Where do you think terrorism should be on the list of concerns? Do you really think it should be in the top 5? I think that if it *is* in the top 5 then we have problems going on. I'm not saying the FBI or President shouldn't be concerned about them- that's their job. Military, too. But, I just don't want to live here if, for the forseeable future, terrorism should be one of my main concerns.

SI

[Dutch]

Certainly the Democrats can't afford to have Osama captured before the election. I think it would be a hard case to prove than any of the Democrats truly want him in lockup until after the election. So that theory goes both ways.

But yeah, the ass kicking the Al Qaeda took is definately hurting Bush now. Had he been more lenient on them, they would still be a constant threat and a bigger campaign issue.

[Leonidas]

This is really a tricky situation for the President. Saying this is the number ten concern is ridiculous too. The number one priority of any government should be the security of its citizens. Too bad the only time people appreciate this is when something bad has to happen first.

So Bush went after terrorists, and lo and behold there has been no terror strike by AQ on US soil since 9/11. No democrat can argue the campaign on terror hasn't been extremely successful based on those results. However, the President is never going to blow his own horn on this fact for fear the very next day an attack could occur and then the demos would really be in an "I told you so frenzy" the likes of which we have never seen before. Bush would be virtually certain to lose the election after something like that.

[Bubba Wheels]

I'm kind of surprised to see this discussion break down along political lines and considerations. Guess that says alot about the state of our country in general.

[panerd]

So Bush went after terrorists, and lo and behold there has been no terror strike by AQ on US soil since 9/11. No democrat can argue the campaign on terror hasn't been extremely successful based on those results. However, the President is never going to blow his own horn on this fact for fear the very next day an attack could occur and then the demos would really be in an "I told you so frenzy" the likes of which we have never seen before. Bush would be virtually certain to lose the election after something like that.

I guess this will be taken as a "democratic" response, but what attacks have ever been made by Al Quada on US soil besides 9-11 and the attempted bombing of the trade center (and I don't even remember if the nut in the Santa hat was tied to Al Quada or not)? Oklahoma city? American nuts. The Olympic bombing? No, that was some anti-abortion nut. The D.C. anthrax? No idea, but they have concluded most likely American.

So I can conclude that Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton all prevented terrorist attacks by doing nothing, right? Same logic.

[tucker342]

Where do you think terrorism should be on the list of concerns? Do you really think it should be in the top 5? I think that if it *is* in the top 5 then we have problems going on. I'm not saying the FBI or President shouldn't be concerned about them- that's their job. Military, too. But, I just don't want to live here if, for the forseeable future, terrorism should be one of my main concerns.

SI
I agree completely:)

[sterlingice]

I agree completely:)
Well, I'm not trying to politicize this: this is for anyone from any party. Where should terrorism (no, not defense- I'm sure that was also on these lists as an issue) rank?

SI

[Dutch]

I guess this will be taken as a "democratic" response, but what attacks have ever been made by Al Quada on US soil besides 9-11 and the attempted bombing of the trade center (and I don't even remember if the nut in the Santa hat was tied to Al Quada or not)? Oklahoma city? American nuts. The Olympic bombing? No, that was some anti-abortion nut. The D.C. anthrax? No idea, but they have concluded most likely American.

So I can conclude that Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton all prevented terrorist attacks by doing nothing, right? Same logic.

Depends if you want to call the 2 embassy's in Africa, US Soil or not. (Legally, they are) and the bombing of US Navy Ships and US Air Force Barracks could also be considered attack on the US, but surely, not on US Soil.

Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden were not a major anti-US gig until after our alliance with Saudi Arabia. But there are plenty of other terrorists out there that have taken to killing and kidnapping Americans that Carter and Reagan did fight against.

Reagan of course ended that round with the lebanese guys......Ahhhh, this is political election year. It's Bush's fault. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well, I'm not trying to politicize this: this is for anyone from any party. Where should terrorism (no, not defense- I'm sure that was also on these lists as an issue) rank?
Although I'm not at all sure that terrorism can't be properly drawn as distinct from "national defense", IF (for polling purposes) you insisted it be its own segment & asked me personally where it ranked in my list of concerns, it'd be in my top three at the very least.

You asked, I answered :)

[Dutch]

Although I'm not at all sure that terrorism can't be properly drawn as distinct from "national defense", IF (for polling purposes) you insisted it be its own segment & asked me personally where it ranked in my list of concerns, it'd be in my top three at the very least.

You asked, I answered :)

What the...what are you running for President or something??? :p

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm kind of surprised to see this discussion break down along political lines and considerations. Guess that says alot about the state of our country in general.
Sidebar, but here goes anyway -- does it really "surprise" you? Or maybe some other words ("disappoint" as a possible example) better fit your reaction?

I don't mean to tell you how you feel or anything, I'm just surprised to see you (or virtually anyone) say you're surprised by it. AFAIK, there aren't many things left to discuss in this country that don't eventually break down along political lines.

[stevew]

This whole "the US has Binladen captured to reveal him right before the election" is some seriously silly shit.

[sterlingice]

Although I'm not at all sure that terrorism can't be properly drawn as distinct from "national defense", IF (for polling purposes) you insisted it be its own segment & asked me personally where it ranked in my list of concerns, it'd be in my top three at the very least.

You asked, I answered :)
Well, I'm certainly not going to slam you for answering since I am geniunely curious. For the record, I asked where you thought it "should" rank not where it does rank currently and those are two different questions. I'm just too naive (idealistic? strangely cynical?) for it to be in my top 5 :)

SI

[fantastic flying froggies]

(From someone not biased with internal US politics.)

Latest news around here in Europe is that Ben Laden is indeed cornered somewhere in Pakistan and the US Govt is negociating with the Pakistani one to be able to send troops in...