12-30-2003, 12:09 PM
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#20
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Guest
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Quote:
Originally posted by Chewbacca:
Ultimatley, I, in all my armchair general glory, (it's called thinking for myself! shocking!) see this as like just another in a long line of PR stunts designed to make it look like they are doing something. Kind of like the whole Iraq war, orange alert thing, the duct tape and plastic scare amongst others.
Actually "Archair Generalship" would require you to put forth an alternate methodology wich you refuse to do...you are not "thinking for your self" in this instance...but basicly just complaining with no clear alternative to provide.
Never mind that OBL is probably hiding in a cave in the wild tribal areas of Pakistan, virtually free from harrassment, planning the next real attack somewhere and free to be an idealogical leader for terrorists.
It is more likely that he is in Iran.
Bottom line is, if they know of a specific threat, they are going to act on it. If they don't know of a specific threat they have obviously have the time on their hands to come up with things like vague warnings about alamanacs.
Lastest statisitics are that they get over 10,000 threats a month(world wide)....and wether they are "credible" or not will be judged by the media and critics after the fact....pretty nice to be able to work with hindsight.
I live 20 minutes from Boston and have lived in Boston for the last 4 years, I still use my Frommer's Boston Almanac to find new places around town. I also have a Frommer's New England Alamanc for road tours of the area. Having an alamanac proves nothing, and should not logically be probable cause for even suspicion.
If you wander around town consulting an almanac instead of one of many thousands of more detailed and easier to carry maps...you are in the minority and deserve to be singled out to be watched...as is anyone who does something unusual in public....thats the world we live in.
I too shudder at the thought of sinister terrorist plots, but I must refuse to let that fear control my actions. To quote the state motto of my state-neighbor to the north- "Live free or die." I would rather die a free American than live under a blanket of paranoia and terrorism inspired fear.
Caution and reasonable precautions are not "letting fear" rule you. You know that Bonfire is HOT, but are you going to let fear rule you and keep you from standing in the middle of it? or are you going to take reasonable action and avoid standing in the fire?
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