Originally Posted by Dovster
You're all off base. The way to paralyze America is not through a major attack -- 9/11 only served to mobilize the country.
America would be most vulnerable if attacked in the way that Israel is -- through a series of small attacks at shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, buses, schools, etc.
Israel has held up against this for the simple reason that these attacks are not only as old as the country, but actually pre-date it. It is a way of life for Israelis and while we are saddened with each one we accept them as part of life.
Americans are not prepared for this. If they become afraid to go about their daily routines, the country will collapse.
Americans would get over it rather quickly. Just like Indians, Iraqis, Afghanis, Russians, Pakistanis, Brits, Palestinians, Israelis, Sudanese, Filipinos, etc.
In the past two decades or so India has been the most hit country by terrorist attacks by number of incidents where people were injured or killed. This remained true in 2004 too. (In 2005 Iraq seems to have surpassed it but that may be revised.) Still they've learned to get on with life and have some perspective that doesn't paralyze national life. I expect no less of Americans.
People need to make a living and acquire the necessities for survival and more. That gets people over the paralysis hump pretty quickly. Americans are no exception in that regard.