It’s real

It’s real

: The threat is very real, as is the fear, as is the impact on lives.

My wife and I sat down last night and reconfirmed our disaster plans. If something happens, she’s going to get the kids in the car and head north. We even had the map out to go over the route to Toronto. The last time this happen, they said to leave the kids in school and she did. Not this time. Pack ’em up, head ’em out. I’ll catch up when and if I can. Don’t wait — not for me, not for the details that reveal whether it was chemical or biological or “just” a bomb; we didn’t know what the hell was going on the last time and we won’t the next time. So hit the road.

Do I think this terrible lightening will hit us again? Well, of course, I pray it doesn’t. I hope that we’re making progress with intelligence and arrests. And, no, I do not think this latest announcement was a campaign move — an August Surprise. I’m not that cynical.

But I never would have imagined that what happened here almost three years ago ever could have happened. Call it a failure of imagination or call it civility, but that was then. This is now. I’ve witnessed their bestiality. We know what they can do, our enemy.

And so we plan because we don’t want to regret not planning.

Michael Moore would make fun of that. He’s a terrorism denier. He’d say, as he and a looney congressman, Rep. Jim McDermott, did in his movie, that we’re just falling into a vortex of political spin. I hope I never get the chance to rub their noses in the words if another attack occurs. But if and when it does…

It’s real. The threat is real. The fear is real. The impact is real.

76 responses to “It’s real”

  1. Brian Avatar

    I guess that’s one of the benefits of living in flyover country. There’s nothing of astronomical value out here, other than just trying to invoke terrorism in small town America and I don’t think that’s in their gameplan.
    If anyone needs a place to crash, Huntington, Indiana is ready and willing to help! :-)

  2. david Avatar

    But I thought by going to Iraq we wouldn’t have to fight them on our streets….eh?
    Bush had 3 long years to root out these savages but instead decided to go against the world and attack Saddam even when Powell said in Feb of 2001 that Saddam had been “contained.” Even if you believe Saddam had connections with Al Queda before 9/11, he was not stupid enough to support these thugs AFTER 9/11.
    If a 140,000 soldiers had been sent into Afghanistan the past two years (one year of build up for Iraq and one year of the war) we would have destroyed Al Queda already and with that victory Bush could have gone after Saddam if he still wanted to.

  3. Jeff Feagles Avatar
    Jeff Feagles

    If we succeed in democratizing the Middle East, that is when we will truly not have to worry about fighting them in our streets. Iraq is one of the first steps in the long journey of bringing liberty and freedom to the peoples of the Middle East. why is that such a hard concept for you to understand? I mean we’ve been over this for the last year. When is it ever going to sink in?

  4. O'McSomething Avatar
    O’McSomething

    Jeff, as someone who works in lower Manhattan in a high-profile building on the edge of the WTC site w/additional midtown offices in the Citicorp building, a 9/11 narrative of my own, and a 15-year-old son travelling on his own in the city on subways (w/a cell phone and also a working walky talky because the cells haven’t worked in the past [9/11 or blackout]), believe me, I’m with you on the reality of this threat. We have to be. It is a part of our lives.
    So with you that I called the Office of Homeland Security (1-202-282-8000) to tell Tom Ridge to leave his bootlicking campaign messages out of his terror warnings:
    But we must understand that the kind of information available to us today is the result of the President

  5. Otter Avatar

    re panic: It’s not like the opposite of Michael Moore has to be the correct way, either. Get some flashlight batteries and granola bars and whatever else you need to survive a natural, inadvertent or malicious catastrophe and then go back to your life. There’s a certain amount of risk in life — take your precautions and then chill out.
    re August Surprise: Perhaps the tin-foil hat crowd could lay out a schedule on which events can play out that’s not an unacceptable interference with the election?

  6. Jacksback Avatar
    Jacksback

    Hey David – Can you explain to me how we cd have destroyed AQ by sending 140K soldiers to Afghanistan when AQ is in Spain, USA, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Philipines, etc and so on? This should be very interesting.
    Go against the world in attacking Iraq? UK, Australia, Spain, Italy, Japan, SK, Poland, etc and so on — oh you mean France don’t you? Why not just say it?
    Oh and if you can pls direct me to anyone saying by overthrowing Iraq it wd insure America protected from Islamists terrorists, by all means share.

  7. Trump Avatar

    But Jeff, why would you vote for Kerry, given his terrible choice of advisors on national security like Clarke, Wilson and Berger?
    Why do you think Kerry would do a better job?
    You have never answered. Maybe you should get it on record now before the other shoe drops and you have to flee…

  8. trumpy Avatar

    Michael Moore would make fun of that. He’s a terrorism denier. He’d say, as he and a looney congressman, Rep. Jim McDermott, did in his movie, that we’re just falling into a vortex of political spin. I hope I never get the chance to rub their noses in the words if another attack occurs. But if and when it does
    Thats the entire Democratic party, with the exception of Lieberman, the sole grownup

  9. arjuna Avatar

    Ofcourse the threat is real. But i guess in your ‘I am not that cynical world,’ there’s no place for the TNR piece that did report that the administration had pushed the Pakistani authorities to deliver some HVT during the democratic convention. And we did get report of a HVT target caught a few days earlier but only reported so a few hours before Kerry was to be on stage. And now we find out this raid was the source of the latest terror alert info. My question is did this admininstration possibly compromise the security of the country at the alter of their political ambitions and machinations? I would like a better report of that, but I don’t necessarily expect that from you. In the meantime, I continue to worry that not only possibly my financial and healthcare future but as well physcial security that is susceptible to the political ambitions of the authorities.

  10. Jeff Feagles Avatar
    Jeff Feagles

    O’McIdiot,
    Nothing is ever good enough for you people. Which is it? Your side criticizes the president for Iraq being a distraction to the war on terror and not working closely enough with other nations. Yet when inoformation is presented that shows we are having success woking with Pakistan and conducting military operations outside Iraq, it’s all a political ploy.
    How would you feel if there were a terrorist attack and Dept of Homeland Security had not mentioned the increased likelihood of attack? Something tells me your reaction wouldn’t be “Oh well, I’m just glad they didn’t try to help president Bush by warning us ahead of time”

  11. Shawn Snyder Avatar
    Shawn Snyder

    Arjuna said “And we did get report of a HVT target caught a few days earlier but only reported so a few hours before Kerry was to be on stage. And now we find out this raid was the source of the latest terror alert info.”
    You have been watching too many movies or something. Do you really think that as soon as we capture a suspected terrorist, we should announce it to the world. We need that time to investigate and hopefully find out more about that person’s associates and plans before we let his comrades know they may be compromised. Once we have someone with information in custody, has it occurred to you that it make take some time to peice together an investigation to figure out what specific plans and knowledge of upcoming operations that person may have?
    The world doesn’t work like an episode of Law & Order where everthing is wrapped up neatly in a hour.

  12. O' Avatar

    Feagle, I was addressing, Jarvis, not you. I hate knee-jerk dittoheads, and I’ve got more important sh*t on my mind today:
    If we succeed in democratizing the Middle East, that is when we will truly not have to worry about fighting them in our streets. Iraq is one of the first steps in the long journey of bringing liberty and freedom to the peoples of the Middle East. why is that such a hard concept for you to understand? I mean we’ve been over this for the last year. When is it ever going to sink in?
    All I’m asking this time is that they keep the f-ing ass-kissing out of the very real terror warnings while we are waiting for your dreamy dream to come true. Sorry baby, it hasn’t sunk in yet. Right now I’m just worried if I have enough batteries and bottled water, you stupid, stupid creep.

  13. rick Avatar

    that’s right – go to canada where it’s SAFE no terrorists are ever going to attack it — so canada, what was the benefit of not supporting the iraq war again?

  14. Batty Avatar

    Quite an experience to live in fear, isn’t it? That’s what it is to be a slave.

  15. shark Avatar

    But i guess in your ‘I am not that cynical world,’ there’s no place for the TNR piece that did report that the administration had pushed the Pakistani authorities to deliver some HVT during the democratic convention.
    No, that piece of black helicopter moonbattery was given the (lack of) attention it deserves.
    Here’s a hint: They’re ALWAYS pushing the Paks to deliver “high value targets”
    Yet I didn’t see Kerry crowded off the front pages by news of an arrest. Hmmm, so I guess their machivelian plan to beat Kerry failed because of incompetance?
    Once again, do you people ever actually read what you write??!
    Remember how angry you all got when someone said of Clinton: “Vince Foster” or “Wag the Dog”? Hypocrites.

  16. shark Avatar

    yet again showing why Democrats and liberals and their ilk have no business getting anywhere near dealing with our national security.
    All you care about is the election. So step aside and let the adults do what needs to be done while you children go play with Dean, McDermott and Moore

  17. A Friend of Americans Avatar
    A Friend of Americans

    Why do americans refuse to understand, why non american don’t like them?
    Why don’t terrorists bomb e.g. Austria or Sweden?

  18. arjuna Avatar

    “McIdiot.” “People watching movies.” Haha!! nice. What devices are those to not address the substance of the comment.
    My question is if the reporting in the TNR piece is to believed, there is good reasons to know that the security of the country has been possibly compromised. If it has been done in this instance, then my curiosity is about the other instances. If you believe otherwise, and would like to be blind to evidence in the public domain, you are perfectly entitled to. But you still address the concern of my comments.

  19. Andy Avatar

    BATTY
    Slaves sleep best of all. They have no choices, not even life or death. It’s the free people who sleep with one eye open. They have to make decisions and take action. They have to anticipate the future and prepare.
    Slaves have no future for which to prepare.
    A free person should know the difference.

  20. Charlie (Colorado) Avatar
    Charlie (Colorado)

    “A Friend”
    You’re ill-informed: Europe is neither immune nor even particularly safe.
    David:
    You’re an idiot.
    Jeff:
    Yes. Now… what’s the best way to improve things?

  21. Kim Avatar

    I’m still an alarmist and my hat box Christmas presents are the topic of discussion since the warning announcement. What to add and so on.
    https://buzzmachine.com/archives/2003_08_15.html#004454
    To my glow in the dark box I’ve added all the important paper work, some walk about’s (in case the phones go down again), faxed my will to relatives on the 4 corners of the earth so my kids are taken care of, cash out of the bank, and on and on. I never thought I’d have to have a first aid kit with Cipro in it. All this planning and I’m still reporting to work at the building next to the one with the bulls eye painted on it in lower Manhattan.
    Please, don’t be caught off guard because of politics. In this case, planning for something that doesn’t happen is better then no plan at all.

  22. Andy Avatar

    JEFF
    Make sue wife has appropriate documents for taking minor children across border. We had small problem with one parent taking minor child. Canadian Authorities want to be sure there is no custody problem.
    I’d suggest Montreal or Halifax as alternatives.

  23. dhanson Avatar

    A Friend of Americans: Why don’t terrorists bomb Austria or Sweden? Give them time, they’ll get around to it.
    While there are plenty of people who hate Americans, the terrorists responsible for the most murders at this time pretty much hate everyone who doesn’t agree with them 100 percent.
    No bombs in Austria or Sweden right now, but that hasn’t stopped terrorist attacks in Spain, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Phillipines, Saudia Arabia and many other countries.
    Do they hate Americans? Yep. But they’re not too fond of anyone else either.

  24. Holly Avatar

    If we get attacked, Bush didn’t protect us and didn’t heed warnings. If we don’t get attacked and are placed on our guard by warnings, it’s a political ploy. If he loses in November, it’s because he’s a miserable failure. If he wins, it’s because he stole the election. If he doesn’t warn us about terror, he’s irresponsible. If he does, he’s a fearmonger.
    I wish these liberal idiots would just shut up.

  25. Puce Avatar

    “Why do americans refuse to understand, why non american don’t like them?”
    thay our as borgor eats, frys and Coke of flaby, TVtime.

  26. daudder Avatar

    what ever happened to standing up and fighting? running off to canada isn’t very, you know, american.
    don’t give in to the fear.

  27. shark Avatar

    Why do americans refuse to understand, why non american don’t like them?
    Why don’t terrorists bomb e.g. Austria or Sweden

    ………or Spain……..

  28. Robert S. Avatar

    It’s real. The threat is real. The fear is real. The impact is real.
    Yes, it’s real, but these breathless, drama-laden posts make me want to giggle.
    Props to O’McSomething for calling Ridge on his partisan BS.
    Additionally, when he read one of the more recent warnings at a press conference he sounded like we was reading to a bunch of kindergartners.
    And before someone makes a wise-ass remark about journos being like children, please remember that Ridge was addressing all of us US residents.

  29. shark Avatar

    Props to O’McSomething for calling Ridge on his partisan BS.
    So let me get this straight- Ridge make some comments regarding Bush’s actions (a relevant comment for him to make by the way) and you endorse Howard Dean and Co. trying to put the country at risk by suggesting the alerts are purely political?
    By the way, you do realize the difference between Dean’s partisian BS’s and Ridge commenting on his area of responsibility? If Ridge had started goo-gooing about Bush policy on tax cuts etc I’d see your point, but here you really don’t have one.
    Again, READ WHAT YOU WRITE FOR ONCE

  30. John Avatar

    “But we must understand that the kind of information available to us today is the result of the President

  31. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    What a joke, shark.
    YOU didn’t read what I wrote.
    I said the terror is real. It’s not the alert itself, it’s this that’s offensive: But we must understand that the kind of information available to us today is the result of the President

  32. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    Dear friend – actually, Austria is just behind Spained (US, UK, Spain and Austria) on Osama’s hit list for bad feelings about what those countries have done to Muslims (in Osama’s mind). He wants to take back Andalusia and a part of Vienna that used to be Muslim. Sorry to disappoint you. And don’t forget all of the terrorist attacks in Italy, England, Spain, Germany, Greece, Paris, etc. over the years. Don’t you recall chiding the US for our lack of expertise in terrorism on our shores on 9/12 because Europe has been suffering for decades? You wanted the US to quit making such a big deal over 9/11, I recall.
    As for those complaining about the warnings, weren’t you the same people complaining about the fact that you WERE NOT WARNED in August 2001?
    Hey, it happened in 1993 and nothing was done (Mr and Mrs Clinton didn’t even bother to show) and it happened again. With their success on 9/11 and the large increase in terrorism against Americans and the creation of “suicide” bombers in the 1990’s, I KNEW then that the M5 down 5th Avenue would get blown up one of these days, just as they do in Jerusalem. MAYBE I am paranoid, or maybe I just see the all of the terrorist progress made in the 1990’s and took it to a logical conclusion?

  33. Andreas Duess Avatar

    Interesting one.
    I lived in London at the height of the IRA bombing campaign. Was near enough to one explosion to hear it go off. Was near enough to another to see the plum of smoke.
    I remember being in the US at the time, seeing ads asking for money to support the ‘struggle’.

  34. anne.elk Avatar
    anne.elk

    Oooh ooh, it’s Jeff smears Michael Moore day again.

    And so we plan because we don’t want to regret not planning.
    Michael Moore would make fun of that. He’s a terrorism denier. He’d say, as he and a looney congressman, Rep. Jim McDermott, did in his movie, that we’re just falling into a vortex of political spin. I hope I never get the chance to rub their noses in the words if another attack occurs. But if and when it does…

    That’s the definition of both a strawman (Michael Moore has never said this) and a smear (Michael Moore would say that prudent, responsible officials would help us plan and prevent and protect).
    And when I have mentioned this on this board, it’s all you right wing nutters telling me that I am crazy.
    Oooh, ooh, Jeff throws in obligatory, gratuitous Michael Moore bashing. In honor of that, Jeff, here’s a bit of advice. You were an idiot on 9/11. It was evident to all of America that we were under attack. Showing no more brains than that of a moth or a chicken, when you left the PATH station you did not immediately evacuate, instead you stood around and gawked. You gawked. You didn’t carry bottles of water. You didn’t see if you could help. You didn’t clear out of the area. You gawked. And 9/11 bit you.
    You gawked then, and now you bawk bawk bawk when others with something to say try to say it.
    So for the sake of your family Jeff, should god forbid this occur again, RUN RUN RUN RUN. Do not stand around again and gawk.

  35. Puzzled Avatar

    Jacksback, Libya turned over their atomic weapons as a response of considering how easily Iraq fell to American forces.
    I’d say that reduced at least one source of major terror attacks.
    It does look as if adult supervision on this thread is missing.

  36. Bob Avatar

    Michael Moore would make fun of that. He’s a terrorism denier.
    That’s just plain silly. He’s a master propaganist, yes, but he’s not a “terrorism denier.”
    Saying so makes you guilty of the same lame propaganda he’s guilty of. It’s a straw man argument.

  37. onecent Avatar

    This crap really burns me. Especially as a New Yorker who is supposed to be going about my normal routine.
    O’McWhatever,
    So Ridge interjected a tribute to his boss. Like if it was a Democrat administration remarks of that nature wouldn’t happen. And you fell apart over it. Your “ordinary routine” now sabotaged. Come again?
    It seems odd, given the content of the message, that you are falling apart because of the messanger.

  38. shark Avatar

    I said the terror is real. It’s not the alert itself, it’s this that’s offensive: But we must understand that the kind of information available to us today is the result of the President

  39. shark Avatar

    Dear friend – actually, Austria is just behind Spained (US, UK, Spain and Austria) on Osama’s hit list for bad feelings about what those countries have done to Muslims (in Osama’s mind)
    Remember Bali? That was directed at the Aussies…

  40. shark Avatar

    Anne.elk, shouldn’t you be out defending the KKK like you did last time you were here?

  41. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    Keep waiting pal……..
    Duh. The point was that you obviously wouldn’t be apologizing despite being guilty of the very thing you incorrectly accused me of. And the overall and extreme lamitudeness of that occurrence.
    Right, Dean made a partisan comment, as did Ridge. What’s your point? Doesn’t justify either’s remarkably insipid comments.
    My point is that when Ridge is announcing a raise in the terror alert, then is not the time to be inserting campaign ads for Bush/Cheney.
    And my pointing that out isn’t partisan – it’s just a critique of what appropriate for someone in Ridge’s position to do. I’d think a democrat a jackass for doing the same thing. Ridge’s job involves the safety of us ALL – as American residents, not Republicans and Democrats – and he should be at least *attempting* to remain non-partisan. His asinine remarks reveal that he ain’t even trying.
    See, Sharkie? It ain’t hard.

  42. anne.elk Avatar
    anne.elk

    Shark, you’re a liar and you bring yourself down.
    I never defended the KKK and never would.
    I stated that Robert Byrd was last a member of the KKK over 60 years ago and has apologized for that.
    You made misleading statements then, and you are making misleading statements now. You are an ass.

  43. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    I saw those earlier comments, too, Anne. It’d take a real dunce to say that forgiving Byrd for beliefs he held 60 years ago is the same as being sympathetic to the KKK.
    Obviously, in this case, a shark = an underwater troll.

  44. shark Avatar

    Robert S:
    partisan
    adj 1: devoted to a cause or party [syn: partizan] [ant: nonpartisan] 2: adhering or confined to a particular sect or denomination or party; “denominational prejudice” [syn: denominational] n 1: a fervent and even militant proponent of something [syn: zealot, drumbeater] 2: an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity [syn: enthusiast, partizan] 3: a pike with a long tapering double-edged blade with lateral projections; 16th and 17th centuries [syn: partizan

    Now do you understand that Ridges remarks- remarks in the context of how his job is being affected by the actions of his boss- are not what you’re making them out to be?
    He said something that reflects well on Bush, and you got your panties in a wad. Deal with it pal.

  45. shark Avatar

    Sorry Anne, you defended a klansman. Period. I don’t know if it’s because you believe in that sort of thing or if you’re a weekend cross burner or whatever. But it’s indefensible, and I suggest you refrain from anymore of your racism.

  46. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    Sharkie, please read above posts until they sink in. Your quoting from the dictionary on proives my point. Ridge’s comments were partisan and inappropriate at th etime.
    If he wants to make *the same remarks* at a Republican fundraiser or even in an appearance on CNN’s Crossfire, fine. But not in the middle of announcing a freakin’ terror alert. Doing so engaged the approximate political and professional savvy of a junior high student. (Apologies to savvy junior high students.)

  47. O' Avatar

    Dear friend – actually, Austria is just behind Spained (US, UK, Spain and Austria) on Osama’s hit list for bad feelings about what those countries have done to Muslims (in Osama’s mind). He wants to take back Andalusia and a part of Vienna that used to be Muslim.
    Remember Bali? That was directed at the Aussies…
    Posted by shark at August 2, 2004 03:51 PM

    Too stupid to comment on? You be the judge!
    um, onecent–WTF? How did you get the impression I was falling apart? I thought when last I left this bunch of deep thinkers I was on my way to my high-profile office building after checking my battery and water supply. I can do these things while gritting my teeth. You really ought not interject. It makes your points pointless. And then people will lump you in with idiots who don’t know the difference between Austria and Australia.

  48. shark Avatar

    OOps, well O’moron, I admit to misreading (pretty funny one actually) but what’s your excuse? You, Anne and Robert all get together and go a lynchin?

  49. Hal Duston Avatar
    Hal Duston

    shark: “Remember Bali? That was directed at the Aussies…”
    Yes, it was directed at the Australians, and not the Austrians. Catherine was speaking of the city of Vienna which is actually in Austria.

  50. Bob Avatar

    Shark=Troll
    Sharkie: see above, etc

  51. N. WILHELM Avatar
    N. WILHELM

    quote:
    Do I think this terrible lightening will hit us again? Well, of course, I pray it doesn’t. I hope that we’re making progress with intelligence and arrests.
    comment:
    One should NEVER speak of “arrest” or something similar.
    It’s not like these people have been robbing a conveneience store or such.
    What these people need and deserve is execution,
    nothing else.
    Terrorists are (in the old sense of the word) “enemy of the people” and they should be treated like that.
    And the only remedy against enemy of the people is “heads off”
    Remember the seven-headed Hydra; you can’t negotiate with that.

  52. Michael Avatar

    Jeff:
    Jeff I’m sure you’re very afraid, terrified, gripped with fear. Of course, I’d hate to be in a foxhole with you.

  53. Michael Avatar

    Jeff:
    If there’s another 9/11 type terrorist attack, you’re leaving the country and going to Canada? Traitor, deserter, pussy. I definately wouldn’t want to be in a foxhole with you.

  54. Mike NYC Avatar
    Mike NYC

    Aw, come on now, O’s post wasn’t so bad. He didn’t accuse the Bushies of creating the alert because of politics. He isn’t that cynical either. He just gets riled up when he hears about something so serious and personal, and then has to listen the “Thank goodness for Bush” crap.
    And yes, Jeff, the threat is real. And it sucks passing by men with machine guns as I enter my office and having floor meetings about buying flashlights and listening to some CEO tell us he’s worried about our safety most of all. But your dramatic crap is infuriating. Moore isn’t a terrorism denier, and despite all your damn links about how great life is in Iraq, it was good he showed us what war looks like.

  55. Robert S. Avatar
    Robert S.

    He just gets riled up when he hears about something so serious and personal, and then has to listen the “Thank goodness for Bush” crap.
    Exactly my point, Mike NYC.
    It wasn’t what he said, so much, but where and when. It was a moment for gravity, not grandstanding.

  56. onecent Avatar

    Shark=Troll
    Excuse me. Bob, but you’ve appeared out of nowhere to accuse Shark of being a troll. Sorry pal, but Shark has been a long time contributor on this site. Who the hell are you?

  57. notthisgirl Avatar
    notthisgirl

    But I thought by going to Iraq we wouldn’t have to fight them on our streets….eh?
    I don’t know if you caught this, Dave, but *this* particular threat was in planning before 9/11. Sorry – won’t be able to plan this one on Abu Grahib or the Iraq war. I’m sure many will try though.
    What many people fail to understand is that people like UBL are in this for the lllllllllong haul. They’ve been at this for a long time. And if it takes them 200 more years to bring us to our knees – no bother, they’ll keep at it. We think short-term and little beyond our comfort zones …. they concentrate on settling (what they perceive as) ancient scores and the bigger picture.
    Another thing – I think if you live in the NY-Metro area (we live close to the host here), you always have this terror-thing in the back of your mind. Riding on the NJ Turnpike and other arteries that pass by the NYC skyline – we are constantly reminded of that horrible day by the gaping hole in the downtown skyline … and who destroyed those towers and took all those people away from us.
    Frankly, I’d rather fight it ALL anywhere but here thanks.

  58. onecent Avatar

    You really ought not interject.
    Hey, O’McWhatever, who died and left you boss? Deal with it.

  59. mary Avatar

    In honor of that, Jeff, here’s a bit of advice. You were an idiot on 9/11. It was evident to all of America that we were under attack. Showing no more brains than that of a moth or a chicken, when you left the PATH station you did not immediately evacuate
    Wow. That is (almost) the most spectacular lefty ‘blame the victim’ diatribe I’ve ever read. It has the standard elements of the lefty hate-filled spittle flecked ‘stupid american, it’s all your fault’ rant – the traditional elements being contempt, lack of empathy and a complete unwillingness to blame the actual perpetrators of the attack.
    Tell us, noble anne.elk, what would you have done in Jeff’s situation? Would you have done a Bruce Willis, shanghied a taxi and spread good will and water to all the ash covered victims? Would you have run into the burning buildings? Would you have nobly run, run, run? Please spread your dingleberries of wisdom among us.
    You win the prize, but I’m afraid you’re just a runner-up. The winner of the lefty spittle-flecked diatribe is still PETA activist Karen Davis who said:
    “I think it is speciesist to think that the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center was a greater tragedy than what millions of chickens endured that day and what they endure every day…”
    sorry, annie.elk, but you just don’t make the cut. Unless your real name is Karen Davis, which is entirely possible.
    Of course, in the lefty universe, losing is always better than winning – you have offical victim cred now. Be proud!

  60. Jeff Jarvis Avatar

    Anne.Elk, whoever the hell you are, please do the decent thing and just leave. Leave, take your meds, get a life, and stay away. Leave. Please.

  61. Andrea Harris Avatar

    “Ooh ooh ooh” “bawk bawk bawk” “hawk hawk hawk” “RUN RUN RUN”
    My god, I’ve got it — anne-elk isn’t even a human, she’s a parrot.

  62. Andrea Harris Avatar

    Maybe she’s molting, Jeff. Birds get cranky when they molt, or so I’ve heard.

  63. Rob Avatar

    I think its admirable that you want to protect your children and have a backup plan for the unthinkable, but shouldn’t you consider the added danger of removing your kids from school, separating your family and driving uninformed out of the city/country in a panic? If the attack is biological, chemical, or nuclear, do you honestly believe you can outrun it in a car or that its air conditioner and windows will protect you? Did you consider that a school (with food, water, communication, shelter, and supervision) might just be the safest place available during such an attack? If you remember the gridlock caused by the 2002 power outage, you may also consider that stuck in traffic with mobs of other people trying desperately to leave has the very real potential for additional risk. Even if you make it to the border of Canada do you really think authorities are gonna open up the gates and let you leave? Planning is fine, but what you and your wife need is a clue.

  64. Mork Avatar

    So, Jeff, do the front pages of the NYT and Washington Post change your view at all about how serious this threat was?
    Calling Jim McDermott …

  65. Persimmon Avatar
    Persimmon

    : The threat is a fake.
    Pre-9/11 Acts Led To Alerts
    “There is nothing right now that we’re hearing that is new,” said one senior law enforcement official who was briefed on the alert. “Why did we go to this level? . . . I still don’t know that.”
    I don’t mean to make anyone who takes it seriously feel badly; but the White House is trying to scare you, since frightened voters ask fewer questions and tend to allow civil liberties to be eroded.
    Please think carefully about the maniuplations that are going on; and try looking at Canadian or British or other NON-US online news reports for a more balanced and factual report.

  66. Jeff Jarvis Avatar

    When this was announced, officials said much of this came from before 9/11. No scandal here.

  67. Mork Avatar

    If this is what you’re referring to:
    I think the indications are that this has been a very long standing effort on the part of al-Qaeda, that it dates from before 9-11; it continued after 9-11 and based on what it is that we are concerned about, we know about in terms of al-Qaeda’s plans and intentions that it probably continues even today, in terms of preparations and acquiring additional information that would allow them in their mind to optimize the chances of success.
    and:
    QUESTION: Is it possible this is old information (inaudible)?
    SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL: I think I would refer to what an official said earlier. We acquire over the course of time information that dates sometimes pre 9-11 sometimes post 9-11, but what I think what we’ve seen over the course of time indicates that al-Qaeda remains focused on the United States is what we call the brass ring, and what we have seen of late does nothing to tell us otherwise.
    … then you must be joking.

  68. O' Avatar

    Baloney, Jeff! Some of this stuff is from before 9/11! While I welcome the extra security at my building (Remember a couple weeks ago I said I thought my building was vulnerable to a car-bomb and needed barricade-planters? Taken care of.), I feel that we have been horribly misled. If this is the way it is going to be until the election, it is dangerous bull-sh*t indeed. I will remain prepared because of what we’ve been through, but this stinks to high heaven.

  69. h0mi Avatar

    Some of this stuff is from before 9/11!

    The Cole bombing was planned 3 years before it happened- before the embassy bombings in Tanzania & Kenya… which happened to be planned years before Khobar Towers, Ok City and possibly the first WTC bombing.

  70. h0mi Avatar

    Why don’t terrorists bomb e.g. Austria or Sweden?

    Short Memory
    December 27, 1985: Major attacks on Rome and Vienna airports, killing sixteen and wounding scores. Attempted hijack of a Pan-Am
    flight at Karachi airport (22 persons killed).
    http://squawk.ca/lbo-talk/0208/2026.html

  71. Bob Avatar

    Of course, these things are planned well in advance, h0mi, but the gov’t was selling this as imminent threat (again!). It’s a wonder the market wasn’t badly affected.
    Much as I want to give ’em the benefit of the doubt, things just keep getting more and more Orwellian. Ol’ George must be at least stirring in his grave, if not spinning.

  72. a.loon Avatar

    “Much as I want to give ’em the benefit of the doubt, things just keep getting more and more Orwellian.”
    It’ll be totally different with President Kerry, though! Nothing Orwellian about that guy’s campaign.

  73. a.loon Avatar

    “Baloney, Jeff! Some of this stuff is from before 9/11!”
    Exactly. Everybody knows Atta & Co. just woke up that morning and threw a plan together on the way to the airport. I’m sure that’s how the next one will go, too.

  74. shawn Avatar

    Don’t plan on useing the freeway, they will be clogged, know back roads (still busy) out of town, city streets etc. DOn’t count on getting the kids out of the school’s clutches either. Have the bug out kit updated, new batteries etc, and in the car. Keep the tank at least 3/4’s full. Carry a goodly amount of cash, who’s going to take plastic when the powers down?
    Finally have Faith in God.

  75. Michael Avatar

    Shawn:
    Do you people realize how hysterical you sound?
    BTW, in re: “carry a goodly amount of cash.” How much would you suggest? If it was me (running inpanic that is), I’d want $50,000, $10,000 at a minimum. Only problem, you get caught with that kind cash, it will be siezed (in rem) by the police or feds. You just can’t walk around with that kind of cash anymore.