Originally Posted by Teacher49
Point taken.
However, I am far from convinced that our Henny Penny response to every anomoly in the check-in and boarding process, to all data found on old computers, that our ceding of civil rights, and all the other manifestations of hysteria have any direct relation to real threats to our security.
We have become terrorized and we perpetuate that ourselves quite well with no outside help.
I point once more to the lack of any real terrorist activity in the country since 2001 and the ever heightening atmosphere of fear nonetheless. It is irrational and it is fed by our own "security" apparatus.
It is not as though I really expect the issue of safety of all the citizenry to be of much concern to those who get to allocate public safety resources and to allocate contracts for security service and equipment. Still let's see it for what it is - largely a hand holding, "there's no boogey man under your bed and we've got FAMs here to look for you" affair.
Let's at least see that for what it is and not get so carried away with our mythic roles.
Best wishes,
Teacher49
And point taken on your side too. Sometimes we as a country tend to overreact. It happens.
But as for the length of time, do some research on the history of Al Qaeda and you'll notice they usually do their prep work (intell gathering) YEARS before the even itself. 9/11/2001 was planned in 1998.
Watch and wait, it is coming.
As far as "mythic" roles, I know my role as a counter-terrorist opertator. That is all I do. That doesn't mean I am better or greater than anyone else. It does mean I am an expert in my field. I know my job like you know yours. I find it amusing that I would not dream of telling people (say, teachers) how to do their jobs but everyone seems to know how to do mine.