KTC: You forgot option z: Invite the aliens out to visit the back 40 acres of the ranch to look at some cattle you want to sell them, then sneak back to the space ship and try to have sex with their wives (so long as they had less than 8 arms and legs).
Also, KTC, repeat after me: 'World harmony' and 'universal socialism' needn't go hand in hand....World harmony and universal....
I truly apologize to everyone; I will go back and berate my elementary school teachers for their apparent inability to teach me how to get a simple message across in English. I don't seem to be able to communicate my thoughts on why there has been a difference in the terrorist attacks in US, vs elsewhere in the world.
Let's see if I have my facts straight; please correct me should I fall into error:
Terrorist bombings etc. have occurred in certain countries of the world, for many years. Britain, Spain, France, Israel, etc. come immediately to mind.
At least since the second world war, that type of terrorist attack on the civilian population of the US has been almost unheard of. In fact, most people can name the few attempts that have occurred: WTC in the early 90s, Oklahoma City. There were also a few bombings during the Vietnam war by radical groups like the Weather Underground, but there weren't many; few if any people died, and most of you are too young to remember the Vietnam War anyway.
In those countries where these things have happened more regularly, there is often a heightened level of awareness, and also security.
Logically, in those countries where it hasn't happened (the US), there is lowered awareness of the personal threat, and low security. This leads the population to a (perhaps) false sense of security, even a feeling of 'it can't happen here' (because it doesn't happen here)
When a bomb goes off at Horse Guards, it's a terrible thing. It is obviously painful and a terrible loss for any family who loses someone. However, for the population, and the country at large, it is not a reality altering, sea-change event. Why not? Because it has happened there many times before, and the people and the country have long ago begun trying to make the changes, physical and emotional, necessary to try to deal with such tragic events (on a national or societal level, if not on the personal level).
Sept 11 was a reality altering, sea-change event in the US, because it had not happened there before, and the population was not physically nor emotionally prepared to deal with such an assault.
The people of New York were traumatzed by the deaths of their family members, just as would be families in Madrid, Moscow or Sabra.
But the sense of shock and outrage were of tremendous magnitude, because it hadn't happened before.
If a car bomb had exploded in Belfast on Sept. 11,we all would have called it a senseless act and a needless loss of life. Neither we, nor you, nor the people of Northern Ireland, would have remained glued to the TV for the next day, then walked around in a trance for the next week
Is this really that complicated? To say that a bombing in Belfast is not unexpected, does not imply that life is somehow of less value there. It is merely a recognition of current events. If you can't understand this, go buy a book on logic and read it. Keep a thesaurus handy.
Patel, rather than inure the US to bombings through more attacks, why not work to eliminate terrorist bombings elsewhere, so that such attacks become unexpected for most people.
I think it was either KTW or JdubyaH who talked of missile attacks as cowardly. Sort of like those who put deadly biological dust into an envelope and mail it off to unsuspecting people. Sounds like a new low in cowardice.
Speaking of the anthrax thing, I think it has done a lot to make the terrorists look like either objects of ridicule, or like people with low intelligence.
They are targeting people in the media (Tom Brokaw) and the pseudo media (National Enquirer, Globe etc at American Media) They don't like the message these journalists are reporting, so the terrorists are shooting the messenger! How moronic, rather than targeting those with the decision making power, they're going after the Nightly News Anchor. What a bunch of bumblers. Maybe if you are sitting in a cave in Afghanistan, you don't realize that there is a host of perfect-haired anchors waiting to step into Brokaw's job. The news will be on at 6 o'clock, even if you kill Brokaw, Rather, and Katie Couric. What a stupid, sick joke.
It was bad when I thought we were facing a group of intelligent, cunning fundamentalists. Actually, sounds like we're facing a group of well armed fanatics with the collective intelligence of an 8th grade glue sniffing party. All the better reason to hunt them down and shoot them in their caves.
