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.
My point in post # 11,
Dovster. I am sure that even people as unhardened as Americans would eventually toughen up and carry on. But there would be huge dislocations if many small or even several middle sized attacks of the kind I mention do occur.
The device by the Amtrak rail in the middle of the country taking out the Oakland - Chicago traing is impossible to prevent. Safe for the perpetrators, very low tech as well. A couple of these and chaos would prevail for some time.
Again, there is no indication that there are people with the will and the resources to do this.
GUWonder, would many attacks like these cause Ameica to turn inward, ? Quite possibly. This a chance at OBL taking the objective you attribute to him: get America out of the lands of Islam.