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Jeff Wrangler:
I don't think anybody was over-reacting, David. I mean, what kind of idiot travels with a "device" up his ass?
On the other hand, Natali has a point, too. If we allow terrorists to turn us into perpetually fearful, suspicious, paranoid people, they've won. It's complicated, finding just the right balance, and of course it's only the extreme or ridiculous cases, like this doofus with the wire hanging out the wazoo--or genuine attempts at terrorism--that make the media. (And please note: It was the doofus who was ridiculous, not the security people.)
Tell you what, since 2001 we have periodic uproars here in Philadelphia over protecting the historic buildings in the city, in particular Independence Hall. The park service wants to close Chestnut Street, which runs in front of the building, permanently, and the city says that would be bad for the city.
My take? Important Things happened in Independence Hall. It's a lovely Georgian building constructed in the 1730s. But if we elevate the bricks and mortar to greater significance than the ideas that were expounded there, the terrorists have won.
People seem to have difficulty accepting that you cannot eliminate risk from life. It's just not possible. God forbid Independence Hall should be destroyed in a terrorist attack, but my thinking is, What would we do if the building were bady damaged or destroyed in a "natural catastrophe," like a lightning strike and fire, or a natural gas explosion? We'd repair or rebuild it--rather like many of the buildings in Colonial Williamsburg--that's what we'd do. Bricks and mortar are not as important as ideas.
And that's my slightly OT rant for this morning. ...
David:
Unfortunately we cannot profile people. The American civil liberties union (ACLU) says that is unfair, so we must treat everyone as a potential terrorist.
But in all reality we cannot be complacent to think all terrorist threats look like muslim extremists. Timothy McVey was a clean cut looking american boy. If he walked up to you at the airport and asked if you would save him a cubside parking space for his Ryder Rental truck full of explosives made from diesel fuel and fertilizer you would probably not think twice about it.
If we pull out 100% from Iraq, would the locals all keep blowing themselves up until there was nobody left? Would that solve the problem?
I don't think there is an easy answer. After Hitler died in WWII and the Allies occupied Germany, what would it have been like if his underground supporters continued to keep shooting our troops? blowing up neighborhoods? Would the world say "Gee you guys shouldn't be here, look what you've done".
Thousands of people died on September 11th 2001 because we felt safe here at home.
If you were on an airplane and a terrorist stood up and said :"I have a bomb! And security let me through because I complained that the wire up my ass was just a stress relieving aid". I'll bet alot of people on that plane would be mad.
The Jet that was flown into the Pentagon was filled with elementary school children. How is that justified as a protest?
Yes it pains me to read that another one of our troops was killed in Iraq. I wish we would get out of there and let them kill eachother instead. But all of our boys and girls there are there voluntarily. None were drafted. Many are thanked by the locals for being there to help.
How about this? We recall 100% of our troops. Then the Peace Corps can send in College student volunteers to help rebuild roads, schools and hospitals.
MaineWriter:
--- Quote from: DavidnHartford on March 08, 2007, 08:24:52 am ---
You can't imagine how many people travel with Dildos and vibrators in their carry on bags. How stupid is that? Random bag checks are common. Do you really want your travelling companions to see your latex friend?
--- End quote ---
Short trip, no bags to check, all a person has is a carry on. Business trip, staying in a nice hotel, room service, wine, maybe a little soft core porn on pay-per-view. Latex friends are stupid? What, terrorists are turing us into traveling Puritans, too?
L
David:
--- Quote from: MaineWriter on March 08, 2007, 10:37:28 am ---Short trip, no bags to check, all a person has is a carry on. Business trip, staying in a nice hotel, room service, wine, maybe a little soft core porn on pay-per-view. Latex friends are stupid? What, terrorists are turing us into traveling Puritans, too?
L
--- End quote ---
HA HA HA! Puritans? No. But the point I was trying to make is that people shouldn't think that there is no chance that their latex friend will not be seen if placed in their carry on bag.
I am in favor of friends travelling with toys. But I don't see the need to use one while in flight. The turbulance is bad enough without something jammed up your ass. Then again...... LOL
MaineWriter:
--- Quote from: DavidnHartford on March 08, 2007, 10:43:08 am ---HA HA HA! Puritans? No. But the point I was trying to make is that people shouldn't think that there is no chance that their latex friend will not be seen if placed in their carry on bag.
I am in favor of friends travelling with toys. But I don't see the need to use one while in flight. The turbulance is bad enough without something jammed up your ass. Then again...... LOL
--- End quote ---
Very true David...on both points.
Thanks for a good chuckle this morning.... ;)
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