Are you prepared for an IED on your commute route?

[usmc1]

<span class="ev_code_RED">UK ON HIGHEST ALERT</span>
People in Great Britain awoke Sunday to a nation under the highest terrorism threat level as authorities investigated a terrorist attack on Glasgow's airport a day earlier.

On previous days police luckily discovered and disabled two car bombs which, had they been set off had the potential to kill hundreds.

I am of the very strong opinion that it is inevitable and that sooner than later the United States will suffer terrorist attacks in the form of Car Bombs, Suicide Bombers and IEDs.

We have prepared emergency rations and taken other steps toward self-protection, emergency medical, subsistence, transportation and effective communications should our lives be disrupted by terrorist attacks or natural disaster.

We believe these were important lessons to be taken from 9/11 and Katrina & Rita.

[usmc1]

<span class="ev_code_RED">UK ON HIGHEST ALERT</span>
People in Great Britain awoke Sunday to a nation under the highest terrorism threat level as authorities investigated a terrorist attack on Glasgow's airport a day earlier.

On previous days police luckily discovered and disabled two car bombs which, had they been set off had the potential to kill hundreds.

I am of the very strong opinion that it is inevitable and that sooner than later the United States will suffer terrorist attacks in the form of Car Bombs, Suicide Bombers and IEDs.

We have prepared emergency rations and taken other steps toward self-protection, emergency medical, subsistence, transportation and effective communications should our lives be disrupted by terrorist attacks or natural disaster.

We believe these were important lessons to be taken from 9/11 and Katrina & Rita.

[nudenwv]

i do believe the next attempt will be in the u.s since they have been failing in the u.k. i'm about as prepared as the town i live in!

[nudeM]

I do believe that some form of terrorist activity will happen again in the future on American soil, but I also believe we should live life without the constant fear either. If we were to look behind our backs each and every time we travel, then to me, that is a victory for the terrorists. That is their goal, to cause a constant state of terror throughout the world and disrupt our daily lives.

We do live in a more violent world today and we must be prepared to handle the situation, but we also must not hand the reigns over to the terrorists. We must continue to live our daily lives one day as a time and not live in fear. We have made significant strides since 911, but that is not to say we are totally safe and out of the woodwork. The threat is always there.

As far as making plans and emergency preparations, I haven't, and neither has anyone else, that I can think of. But then again, I do not live in a major metropolitan area either. I guess only time will tell. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/smoking.gif

[nacktman]

While we live in a rural area (rapidly shrinking as it is), we live very close to at least two of the top 50 "prime" targets for a terrorist attack as defined by the Feds ... ok, so that may not be a good method of defining targets but its all we got, right!
Yeah, we're prepared as the rest of us ... well, maybe better than some.

Within less than 10 miles are the second largest financial center in the US (after NYC), and one of the largest nuclear power stations in the country ... and us smack in the middle.

So, even a minor 'attack' on either and we'll feel the ripples from it ... a major 'attack', well ...

[Pete Knight]

I suppose its easier for us to cope with direct threats, we lived with IRA bombings for many years, with a huge loss of life, they were no different then to the current wave of Islamic bombings we are going through.

Whilst never directly affected myself I was with the RAF towards the latter years of the IRA campaigns, the effect was that we were not allowed to wear uniform off camp, something we got used to, so when I visited the USA in 1991 it seemed rather odd to see US servicemen travelling on trains in best uniform and carrying kit bags. Will your servicemen be expected to travel in civvies for their own protection as a result of the current terror campaign?

You'll get used to having no trash cans in railway stations, airport lounges, public buildings, sports stadia, and some public open spaces, trash cans were the favourite places for the IRA to leave a nice little surprise for commuters and shoppers. More 'No Parking' zones will appear to prevent cars being parked too close to government buildings and sports stadia, etc. You'll find that the number of doors to gain entry to public buildings are blocked off so that they can control points of entry, herd everyone through a single check point.

Military bases will have new fences erected with a dead zone cleared either side of the fence, they will have enhanced VCP's (Vehicle Check Points) with lights fitted flush with the road to illuminate the underside of all cars entering the base, guards with mirrors on sticks so they can inspect the underside of cars without having to crawl in the dirt, you'll get used to the lines of cars waiting to get through the VCP's, the wait for documents to be checked, the contents of your car removed if anything appears even slightly suspicious.

The wait for a clerk at the post office, the security grills at counters, the numerous false alarms with the bomb squads blowing up suspicious cars which turn out to be harmless, just pray it isn't your car they blew up as you pop into the post office for a postage stamp and getting held up in the long line to get to the grill covered counter after the security guard has searched your bag.

Security check points will become a way of life, the police will be given additional powers, ours were allowed to "Stop and Search" as they saw fit, anything to make life difficult for terrorists, unfortunately it also makes life difficult for decent citizens trying to go about their normal daily lives.

I expect you've already seen some of these measures, I know it causes havoc at Los Angeles International Airport, I had to endure numerous security checks just to connect from my London flight to my Auckland flight, I thought 4 hours would be plenty, boy was I mistaken, I'll very nearly didn't make it to the departure gate in time, that's what everyday life will be like, that's what it was like for us over here during the height of the IRA campaign.


I hope that you don't have to read of the death toll to American citizens as they tried to go about their daily routine, to see pictures of the devastation on the front page of your daily papers, terrorism is evil in all its forms, those that cannot accept the verdict of the ballot box turn to terrorism to get they way, don't let them!!!!

Don't resort to panic, keep your dignity, don't let the terrorists win their campaign of terror, its not he bombs that do the real damage, its the threat that puts terror in the minds of the decent people trying to live their lives, the disruption that a terror campaign causes is more damaging than a bomb, don't let them take your dignity away.

Pete Knight

[xgsft]

Eh, I am not worried. The chances are very low of being caught up in a terrorist attack.

Personally, I think we need to have a US version of Guy Fawkes day just to ridicule those who think terrorism can work.

[brainyguy9999]

I have thought for the past several years that a viable and (I think) effective attack against the US would be exploding a truck laden with explosive material in a morning rush hour traffic jam.

Tim McVeigh proved how much damage could be done with a U-Haul packed with fertilizer and diesel. I think that two or three U-Hauls loaded with explosive material and shrapnel (like nails) exploded simultaneously in the morning rush hour in any two or three major or minor cities would cause significant disruption to the average worker across the US.

Enough people would change their routes to avoid the "major routes" to work that could be attacked again to cause a traffic nightmare. Many would simply not go to work out of fear that it would happen again.

One of the strengths and conveniences in the US is our mobility. Almost everyone has a car. Almost everyone commutes more than 10 miles to work. Outside of the largest cities, hardly anyone takes mass transit. Many smaller towns don't have mass transit as an option. So, attacking one of the things that Americans take a lot of pride in -- namely their freedom of movement by car -- would do a lot of damage to the American psyche.

I hope that it never happens, but I'm surprised that we haven't heard of such a plot yet. So, if they haven't thwarted it yet, I suspect it is in the works.

Just my opinion...

Stay nude.

bg

[sw1sweendog]

i spent half a year in iraq... need i say more...

[Bobx23456]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usmc1:
We have prepared emergency rations and taken other steps toward self-protection, emergency medical, subsistence, transportation and effective communications should our lives be disrupted by terrorist attacks or natural disaster. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Can you tell me just how are emergency rations supposed to help someone hit by a car bomb?

Blessings

Bob

[usmc1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usmc1:
We have prepared emergency rations and taken other steps toward self-protection, emergency medical, subsistence, transportation and effective communications should our lives be disrupted by terrorist attacks or natural disaster. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can you tell me just how are emergency rations supposed to help someone hit by a car bomb?

Blessings

Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Look Bob, you've proven yourself already to be careless with the truth. Now you've proven yourself to be careless with your reading ability.

Obviously, no one who dies or is injured in any sort of event is going to be helped by emergency rations.

But, as I wrote, if those of us who remain <span class="ev_code_red">"have our lives disrupted"</span> by natural disaster or terrorist attack, or series of attacks, it is better to be prepared.

We saw first hand the effects of Katrina and Rita on our region of the world, highways were clogged to the point of shut down--a bus exploded and people burned to death, others languished, unmoving in the heat and humidity for hours, stores were stripped of portable foodstuffs and potable water, filling stations couldn't pump or were empty, and law enforcement were stymied.

You don't think you need to be prepared and think the infrastructure will be quickly restored and the cops and national guard are going to be real friendly and share their rations and pat you on your po-po and tell you everything's just hunky-dory. Cool.

If Katrina and 9/11 proved nothing but a couple of things; that would be that the veneer of civilization is very damn thin, the infrastructure is fragile, and that some people will succumb to their worst instincts. It wouldn't take much to shut down and isolate large sections or regions of the country. Not much at all...but first:there will be car bombs, IEDs and suicide bombers...and people WILL panic, and horde, and gang up, and do all the other ugly things that untrained and unprepared panic-stricken people under duress do!

And for whatever it is worth, I'm the guy that way back when was telling the world that George W. Bush was "fixing to cut a fat hog in the *** by invading Iraq"...so, you can figure that even a blind squirrel can find the odd acorn or two, or that I know what the hell I'm talking about.

Now Bob, why is it you felt compelled to make an issue with me by ignoring how I phrased and qualified my original remark? You trying to pick a fight with me or are you just incapable of reading for content and context?

[hm0504]

"Secret Document: U.S. Fears Terror 'Spectacular' Planned":
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=3336148

[usmc1]

9/11 Panel member...U.S. not safe from terrorists & Iraq is breeding a new generation of jihadists.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/07/dems.radio.ap/index.html
Our Poll Results:

Is terror attack through Car Bombs, IEDs and Suicide Bombers a real threat in the U.S. and if so have you made preparations.
2 (11%)
Yes, I think they are inevitable and I am vigilent and alert to change and have made emergency preparations.
11 (58%)
Yes, I see it as real threat, but haven't made any changes in my behavior or any emergency preparations.
6 (32%)
No, not a big threat, but even if it does happen, life will go on.
0 (0%)
I just hope and pray it doesn't happen, but, if it does I trust the police, firfighters and authorities to take care of us.
0 (0%)
No way it can happen here, we've got good control after 9/11.

[NudeAl]

Am I prepared for another attack? Nope. But I sure can't stop looking for IED's either! I'm gearing up to go back for another tour of duty in Iraq and my units mission is going to be convoy security. I refer to it as IED detector duty. I doubt I will ever be able to look at a piece of trash on the side of the road and not think about IED's. There isn't a comercial vehicle made that can withstand an IED.

It is only a matter of time until the next attack on US soil. One reason I feel we haven't been attacked yet is that it would give strength to the President and his whole war on terror position. We in the US have become complacent about terrorist attacks since we haven't had one since 911. Another pet theory of mine is that it will likely hit a soft target one that hasn't yet had any increased security measures taken since the 911 attacks. Perhaps a suburban shopping center a car bomb planted outside a busy public event etc.

It is not an accident that there have not been any attacks on US soil lately and it isn't due to our own heightened security measures. It simply suits the terrorists to delay attacking us at this time. You can bet that there are sleeper sells in the us now and there are no doubt plans to conduct the next attack. I think that they are just waiting for the go ahead to do so.

[Tampanude]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm gearing up to go back for another tour of duty in Iraq and my units mission is going to be convoy security. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Thank you, Al for your service to our country.


Personally, I think our CIC is a buffoon but his inadequacies and bad decisions by no means reflect upon you and the invaluable service that you men and women perform on our behalf every day and night.

My family supports you and your family's service.

Be safe.

[Bobx23456]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usmc1:
We saw first hand the effects of Katrina and Rita on our region of the world, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep, the police held a big party in a major hotel, then robbed the Cadilac dealer and left for Houston.

Meanwhile the female Governmor could do nothing more effective than to stand still anc cry.

People who build homes below sea level and waste levey money on graft and corruption, or who build expensive homes on beaches in hurricane zones are really, really stupid. I have very little sympathy for them.

Blessings

Bob

[hm0504]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">NudeAl wrote:

It is only a matter of time until the next attack on US soil. One reason I feel we haven't been attacked yet is that it would give strength to the President and his whole war on terror position... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I completely agree.

Also, everyone, please check out the CNN SIU report "Battlefield Breakdown" which actually talks a lot about IEDs (the leading cause of death for U.S. troops).

[hm0504]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
..
Meanwhile the female Governmor could do nothing more effective than to stand still and cry.
...
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That seems like a subtle sexist statement to me. I hope you did not intend to suggest that women are less able than men to be Governors (or Presidents).

[usmc1]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19730468/

Report: Al-Qaida nears ability to strike U.S.
Draft intelligence assessment says group seeks chemical, nuclear weapons

AP Updated: 5:21 p.m. CT July 12, 2007
WASHINGTON - Al-Qaida is stepping up its efforts to sneak terror operatives into the United States and has acquired most of the capabilities it needs to strike here, according to a new U.S. intelligence assessment, The Associated Press has learned.

[hm0504]

Al Qaeda is also the strongest its been since 9/11:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/11/al.qaeda.report/index....?eref=rss_topstories (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/11/al.qaeda.report/index.html?eref=rss_topstories)

In Afghanistan, the West struggles against an increasingly powerful Tableban and Al Qaeda.

In nuclear-armed Pakistan, Islamists and Al Qaeda are closer than ever to seizing power.

In Iraq, where in 2003, Al Qaeda only occupied a tiny area in Iraqi mountatins where they were kept safe from Saddam's clutches by the no-fly zone, today Al Qaeda challenges secular Sunnis and Coalition forces for control of entire provinces.

[Bobx23456]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hm0504:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
..
Meanwhile the female Governmor could do nothing more effective than to stand still and cry.
...
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That seems like a subtle sexist statement to me. I hope you did not intend to suggest that women are less able than men to be Governors (or Presidents). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I suggest no such thing. The disaster in Louisianna speaks for itsef.

Blessings

Bob

[nacktman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hm0504:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
..
Meanwhile the female Governmor could do nothing more effective than to stand still and cry.
...
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That seems like a subtle sexist statement to me. I hope you did not intend to suggest that women are less able than men to be Governors (or Presidents). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I suggest no such thing. The disaster in Louisianna speaks for itsef.

Blessings

Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Au, contraire, that is exactly what you suggest and are none too subtle about it either.
And from previous postings one can only see the blatant sexism for what it is.

*****
In answer to the originating question ... Yes, I am ready for an IED on my commute route. Better prepared that most I would say. But I am not going to dwell on the matter.

[fred950]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hm0504:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
..
Meanwhile the female Governmor could do nothing more effective than to stand still and cry.
...
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


That seems like a subtle sexist statement to me. I hope you did not intend to suggest that women are less able than men to be Governors (or Presidents). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I suggest no such thing. The disaster in Louisianna speaks for itsef.

Blessings

Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

"Brownie, you're doing one heck of a job"...G.W.Bush

[popper]

I am in agreement with usmc1 int the fact that it is not a matter of fact of if the terrorist will attack us, but when.

Many comments on this site have been directed to our president. Most of which imop, seem to be one of politics and not of sound intelligence. Wars should not be planned, directed or fought by politicians or the people they represent. Very few citizens have the expertise to advise or offer their demented opinions to our military leaders and cic.

Now before the "anti-bush" haters begin lobbing in mortar rounds on my position, let me say I recently retired from military duty and have a son who has recently returned from OIF, and is scheduled to deploy again.

Please give thought to the comments you make regarding the war on terror. Whether you believe it or not, you negative comments result in the deaths on our soldiers and innocent civilians. Thanks for listening. popper

[usmc1]

Popper, I certainly respect your point of view. But I very vehemently disagree with your assertion that my opposition to the preemptory invasion and continued occupation of Iraq has caused the death of anyone.

What has caused and continues to cause the death of soldiers and civilians in Iraq are the actions of a sociopathic president surrounded by opportunistic madmen and medicants, a compliant media, a slaggard congress, and an unawares pleasure-seeking addicted public.

Iraq is not the central front on the war on terror. There is no central front. Terror is a noun descrbing the actions of equally insane individuals seeking to advance a political or religious belief. Terrorism is ubiquitous, many faceted and requires many, many years of continued strategies, intitiatives and tactics to overcome and displace.

If it comforts you to beleive your son is at risk for a noble cause, I understand. Unfortunately, such is not the reality. You have my compassion, sympathy and understanding--but I will not remain silent and allow you to characterize my opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq as having caused the death of my brothers and sisters in the active military or of innocent civilians.

No sir, not a *******' bit of it!

[Fitz1980]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usmc1:
We saw first hand the effects of Katrina and Rita on our region of the world, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep, the police held a big party in a major hotel, then robbed the Cadilac dealer and left for Houston.

Meanwhile the female Governmor could do nothing more effective than to stand still anc cry.

People who build homes below sea level and waste levey money on graft and corruption, or who build expensive homes on beaches in hurricane zones are really, really stupid. I have very little sympathy for them.

Blessings

Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wait a sec, wait a sec............

What about people who build their homes in tornado country, how about earthquake country? If you want to talk about people who built their homes in a place that could get hit by a disaster, SOME KIND OF DISASTER, that's most of this country. What about people who spend a large fortune to headquarter their business in an over-crowded, overpriced city on the 89th floor of a 110 story building?

[Bobx23456]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Fitz1980:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bobx23456:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usmc1:
We saw first hand the effects of Katrina and Rita on our region of the world, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep, the police held a big party in a major hotel, then robbed the Cadilac dealer and left for Houston.

Meanwhile the female Governmor could do nothing more effective than to stand still anc cry.

People who build homes below sea level and waste levey money on graft and corruption, or who build expensive homes on beaches in hurricane zones are really, really stupid. I have very little sympathy for them.

Blessings

Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wait a sec, wait a sec............

What about people who build their homes in tornado country, how about earthquake country? If you want to talk about people who built their homes in a place that could get hit by a disaster, SOME KIND OF DISASTER, that's most of this country. What about people who spend a large fortune to headquarter their business in an over-crowded, overpriced city on the 89th floor of a 110 story building? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


What about them? While in high school I had a friend who's family had a vacation shack on the outer banks. The family had been vacatioining there for over 100 years. It was a shack because every 10 years or so a hurricane would come in and clean everything off. Then they would put up another shack. Then in the 1970 thousands of big city idiots started coming in and building $250,000 homes all along the beach. When the expected hurricane comes in an cleans them all off, its their own stupid fault. They shouldn't expect we taxpayers to foot the bill for their stupidity.

A while ago I was working at Boeing. One of my co-workers bought a CHEAP run down house east of Everett, Washington, USA. He spent 6 months fixing it all up, carpet, paint, new siding, the works. Then the annual flood came down the river and restored it to it's previous condition. When you build a house on an annual flood plain you have nobody to blame but yourself. They shouldn't expect we taxpayers to foot the bill for their stupidity.

When you build a home in "Tornado Alley" you are taking a chance. You either build storng enough to survive tornados, or you are gamboling, rolling the dice. Engineering studies have shown that only about 5-10% more initial cost would make homes substantially tornado proof, but very few spend the extra money. Sure they can save money, they can roll the dice, but they shouldn't expect we taxpayers to foot the bill for their gamboling losses.

A few months ago a school colapsed in a tornado and killed many students. In my not so humble opinion the School Board and Engineers ought to be arresetd and tried for criminal manslaughter for causing the death of students due to malfeasance of their professional responsibility to construct school buildings that are strong enough for EXPECTED weather in the area where they are built.

There is, of course, a huge gap between what is expected and what is unexpected. The common weather in any area is genearlly known and expected. If you build in a hurricane, tornado, or flood area you are rolling dice if you fail to build above the flood, back from the beach, or strong enough for the tornado. If the weather catches up with your gamboling, its your own stupid fault. However, a war or similar attack is beyond what an ordinary man should expect. Your example of the WTC attack is beyond normal weather, earthquakes, etc.

BTW: My particular home is intentionally located away from expected hurricanse, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, etc., and has measures taken to protect it from forest fires.

Blessings
Bob

[Ken Palmer]

Excellent post nudeM. We do live in a more violent society after 9/11 But like you said, we nevertheless have to go on with our lives despite the fact we may be scared deep down inside. A good friend of mine, who is a combat veteran, told me this a long time ago right after Sept.11th. After lsitening to him, I realized he was, and still is right. I am planning a trip to San Antonio,Texas to visit some friends of mine who I haven't seen in ten years(july 1997). Well, I have been saying to myself "it's about time I quite hiding inside my own home state and get back to venturing in the world."I made a stern decision that I am going to do just that! I am tired of being afraid! Why should I give the terrorists what they want? What about what I want? The last time I travelled by air was back in August 2001 right before the attacks in Sept. 2001. I had visited the Pentagon a month before it was attacked. I have had fear of flying since, but not anymore! Texas, here I come in August!

Ken Palmer


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nudeM:
I do believe that some form of terrorist activity will happen again in the future on American soil, but I also believe we should live life without the constant fear either. If we were to look behind our backs each and every time we travel, then to me, that is a victory for the terrorists. That is their goal, to cause a constant state of terror throughout the world and disrupt our daily lives.

We do live in a more violent world today and we must be prepared to handle the situation, but we also must not hand the reigns over to the terrorists. We must continue to live our daily lives one day as a time and not live in fear. We have made significant strides since 911, but that is not to say we are totally safe and out of the woodwork. The threat is always there.

As far as making plans and emergency preparations, I haven't, and neither has anyone else, that I can think of. But then again, I do not live in a major metropolitan area either. I guess only time will tell. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/smoking.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[popper]

usmc1, I take no comfort from anyones service in a hostile fire situation. And as stated in my post, imho, regardless of your political views, we as a nation must present a united front in this insane war on terror. You have no doubt become a "Cindy Shehan" type opponent of this conflict, which is your given right, due to the sacrifices and shed blood of many dedicated patriots. Is your hate for the cic that great, coupled with your vehement rhetoric, that you willing give aid and comfort to the enemy? One can only wonder how you would tackle the immense task of conducting this "war on terror"!

I pray you find the peace and solitude your soul seems to so despairetly seek.

One last comment, which isn't meant to be confrontational, but, are you for real or just a "wannta be", and by that I mean one who likes to wear the t-shirt, but doesn't have the gonads to to put themselves in harms way?



popper

[usmc1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by popper:
usmc1, I take no comfort from anyones service in a hostile fire situation. And as stated in my post, imho, regardless of your political views, we as a nation must present a united front in this insane war on terror. You have no doubt become a "Cindy Shehan" type opponent of this conflict, which is your given right, due to the sacrifices and shed blood of many dedicated patriots. Is your hate for the cic that great, coupled with your vehement rhetoric, that you willing give aid and comfort to the enemy? One can only wonder how you would tackle the immense task of conducting this "war on terror"!

I pray you find the peace and solitude your soul seems to so despairetly seek.

One last comment, which isn't meant to be confrontational, but, are you for real or just a "wannta be", and by that I mean one who likes to wear the t-shirt, but doesn't have the gonads to to put themselves in harms way?
popper </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Alright, I tried to afford you a modicum of respect despite your ill-informed and misguided viewpoint. Screw that, it obviously doesn't work with your ilk.

I am honored to be compared to Mrs. Sheehan. She's a courageous woman who lost an equally brave and much beloved son in an infamous invasion and occupation of a non-belligerent country initiated by a dry-drunk sociopath who can't find the manhood to face her and tell her for what it was that her son died.

Yes, I do despise Bush. I know the family, I know of him personally through mutual "acquaintances". He is a mentally ill bully and incompetent. The harm that he, Cheney and their people have caused this country may never be undone. We are well on the way to Facism, and aside from cataclysmic upheaval, there very well will be no turning back.

No, we do not need to present a "united front". That is a stupidly simplistic and naively jingoistic thing to write. We need to be involved with our government, educated to its duplicities, and watching its every movement, and speaking out and joining groups and organizing and mobilizing with others who share our views to bring about change. Lock-step, goose-stepping, unquestioning compliance with authority leads to what we have on our hands now. Thirty-five percenters such as you!

Now, to the personal matter. One of the luxuries that your ilk has on the internet is that you can question a man's courage, patriotism, and so forth without suffering the natural consequences of such scurrilous behavior. Those who know me, know me; and I have no need or desire to justify or explain myself, or what I have done and continue to do on behalf of my country, to some piss-ant on an obscure web forum.

Other than to say this, my family has been in the country since 1709, (and actually through my Iroquois and Cherokee bloodlines, much longer than that) we've fought with valor and meritorious distinction in every war this country has had. And I do not take lightly some scut questioning my courage or patriotism---which you would not dare do to my face.

My hope for you is that your son survives this deployment with a whole body, mind and senses intact and that he acquires more wisdom, honor and civility than have you.

[nudeM]

A applaud you Ken on your planned trip. I hope you have a great time. I firmly do believe we must go on and live life and not live in constant fear. Terrorists have been around for a long time, but since 9/11, they have not hit us on our soil since. True, it is bound to happen eventually, but that shouldn't distract us.

As I stated, if we do choose to live life in fear, then we just handed the chains of victory over to the terrorists. As I see it, even though there are divisions within our country on the war effort, we are united in that we still continue to go on with our daily lives, thumbing our noses at the 'fear factor' the terrorists want us to live. That in itself, is something the terrorists haven't broken yet, patriotism. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/smoking.gif

[popper]

Your speech is quite eloquent, to which you have my utmost respect. So help me out if you will. How do you get off calling me a piss ant? Your rantings sound to me like a spoiled brat whoseparents parked them in front of the tv and never taught them basic values.

Once again, my stance isn't about whether you agree with the war on not. The fact is we have boots on the ground and arrogant pogues like yourself continue to put them in harms way. I could care less of your "bloodline" and the opinions of those you say hold you in high regards. As I've stated before, you are a Bush hater, and are using this forum as a means to spread your venom. As for your relationship with the cic, no wonder your on the outside looking in. Apparently you have to open your mouth to see where you are going.

Last but not least, I do not hide behind a forum to express my views and opinions. Enough said. You are a very educated individual but imho, one who might need to...never mind. As one of the proverbs says, "You can't argue/contend with a fool.
popper

[Baron Lake]

usmc, I have to agree with popper when he opines you can't argue with a fool. (A statement he somehow regards as a "proverb").
So in the future why not just ignore him?

As to topic...short of driving an armored vehicle and wearing body armor, (and even that ain't sufficient) protection aginst commute route IEDs is a waste of time and worry.

Back at the "ranch" however, we are somewhat prepared. 3,000 gal. water tank, emergency generator with a couple of month's fuel supply and stuff like that. Don't need to mention CCTV (infrared), flintlock/ammo and well stocked wine cellar.

b.l.

[hm0504]

I wonder if popper understands that the reason the war on terror is being lost is because of the unbelievable incompetence of Bush. It is because of the mindless, unquestioning legion of drones calling for a "united front" behind Bush that the U.S. and the world has lost so much ground since 2001.

[usmc1]

In today's Washington Times....
Nuclear attack on D.C. a hypothetical disaster

April 16, 2008

By Gary Emerling (GEmerling@washingtontimes.com) - A nuclear device detonated near the White House would kill roughly 100,000 people and flatten downtown federal buildings, while the radioactive plume from the explosion would likely spread toward the Capitol and into Southeast D.C., contaminating thousands more.

The blast from the 10-kiloton bomb — similar to the bomb dropped over Hiroshima during World War II — would kill up to one in 10 tourists visiting the Washington Monument and send shards of glass flying the length of the National Mall, in a scenario that has become increasingly likely to occur in a major U.S. city in recent years, panel members told a Senate committee yesterday.

"It's inevitable," said Cham E. Dallas, director of the Institute for Health Management and Mass Destruction Defense at the University of Georgia, who has charted the potential explosion's effect in the District and testified before a hearing of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. "I think it's wistful to think that it won't happen by 20 years."

The Senate committee has convened a series of hearings to examine the threat and effects of a terrorist nuclear attack on a U.S. city, as well as the needed response.

Yesterday's panel stressed the importance of state and local cooperation with federal authorities in the wake of an attack, assistance from the private business sector to aid recovery and the dire need to boost the capabilities of area hospitals.

They recommended expanding emergency personnel by training physicians like pharmacists and dentists to aid in all-hazards care, monitoring the exposure of first responders to radiation and clearly disseminating information to the public.

"The scenarios we discuss today are very hard for us to contemplate, and so emotionally traumatic and unsettling that it is tempting to push them aside," said Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent and committee chairman. "However, now is the time to have this difficult conversation, to ask the tough questions, and then to get answers as best we can and take preparatory and preventive action."

Ashton B. Carter, co-director of the Preventive Defense Project at Harvard University, said the likelihood of a nuclear attack on U.S. soil is undetermined, but it has increased with the proliferation of weapons by Iran and North Korea and the failure to secure Russia's nuclear arsenal following the Cold War.

"For while the probability of a nuclear weapon one day going off in a U.S. city cannot be calculated, it is almost surely larger than it was five years ago," Mr. Carter said.

Mr. Carter described a more destructive blast effect. He said the ground-based detonation of a 10-kiloton bomb would result in near-total devastation within a circle about two miles in diameter, or the length of the Mall.

The zone of destruction is projected to be less than that of Hiroshima, where the bomb was dropped from an airplane and detonated above the city.

A similar blast in a more densely populated city than the District, such as Chicago or New York, would result in an injury toll up to eight times higher. A plume a few miles long could also dole out lethal doses of radiation, Mr. Carter said.

However, the experts emphasized that the explosion would not impact most of a major city and that in many cases, residents could remain safe by not evacuating immediately and clogging area roadways.

"It is also expected that, due to lack of information getting to the public, many people will try to flee by car or on foot, often in the wrong direction, again exposing themselves to high levels of radiation, as vehicles provide virtually no protection," Mr. Carter said.

Mr. Dallas said a major problem facing most cities is a lack of available hospital beds for victims of burns that would result from a nuclear blast. He said up to 95 percent of such victims would not receive potentially life-saving care.

"We're completely underprepared," he said. "Most of them will die."

Mr. Dallas said the District also faces a unique challenge because of the way the city is configured geographically: A wind blowing west to east would gradually spread radiation from the explosion into the low-income neighborhoods of Southeast, where there are limited health care options available and only one hospital.

Area officials have spent millions of dollars in recent years to develop evacuation plans and stockpile emergency supplies after a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said local preparation for a disaster was "not sufficient."

Darrell L. Darnell, director of the District's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said the city is continuing to develop its "emergency preparedness capabilities" and has numerous methods of informing residents of actions they should take, including through text messages, voice alerts and Web sites like www.dc.gov and http://72hours.dc.gov.

"We are confident that the District is prepared to respond to a catastrophic incident affecting the District," Mr. Darnell said.

Still, Mr. Dallas said the majority of victims in a nuclear explosion will likely have to fend for themselves in the first hours after an attack.

"These people are going to be on their own," he said after the hearing. "There's no white horse to ride to the rescue."

[nuovonudo]

Your speech is quite eloquent, to which you have my utmost respect. So help me out if you will. How do you get off calling me a piss ant?

popper, a radical lefty liberal is a radical lefty liberal is a radical lefty liberal. you can't expect them to play by the same rules.

frankly, i'm getting to the point that being called names by folks of usmc1's ilk is (in it's own perverse way) an honor. it means that i still must have a modicum of that seemingly rare commodity known as common sense.

on a more personal note, i applaud you for allowing the grace of the Savior to temper your response to usmc1. i doubt i could have been as gracious. bless you!

cheers,
--nuovonudo

[usmc1]

popper, a radical lefty liberal is a radical lefty liberal is a radical lefty liberal. you can't expect them to play by the same rules.

frankly, i'm getting to the point that being called names by folks of usmc1's ilk is (in it's own perverse way) an honor. it means that i still must have a modicum of that seemingly rare commodity known as common sense.

on a more personal note, i applaud you for allowing the grace of the Savior to temper your response to usmc1. i doubt i could have been as gracious. bless you!

cheers,
--nuovonudo

Let's see. You go back to two years ago to find something, take it entirely out of context, and then "pile on". That is bullying behavior.

But, let's look at the entire exchange and see why I called him a pissant! The one where he ridiculed and challenged my patriotism, courage, manhood, honesty and service to my country.

Originally posted by popper:
usmc1, I take no comfort from anyones service in a hostile fire situation. And as stated in my post, imho, regardless of your political views, we as a nation must present a united front in this insane war on terror. You have no doubt become a "Cindy Shehan" type opponent of this conflict, which is your given right, due to the sacrifices and shed blood of many dedicated patriots. Is your hate for the cic that great, coupled with your vehement rhetoric, that you willing give aid and comfort to the enemy? One can only wonder how you would tackle the immense task of conducting this "war on terror"!

I pray you find the peace and solitude your soul seems to so despairetly seek.

One last comment, which isn't meant to be confrontational, but, are you for real or just a "wannta be", and by that I mean one who likes to wear the t-shirt, but doesn't have the gonads to to put themselves in harms way?
popperTo which I replied:

Alright, I tried to afford you a modicum of respect despite your ill-informed and misguided viewpoint. Screw that, it obviously doesn't work with your ilk.

I am honored to be compared to Mrs. Sheehan. She's a courageous woman who lost an equally brave and much beloved son in an infamous invasion and occupation of a non-belligerent country initiated by a dry-drunk sociopath who can't find the manhood to face her and tell her for what it was that her son died.

Yes, I do despise Bush. I know the family, I know of him personally through mutual "acquaintances". He is a mentally ill bully and incompetent. The harm that he, Cheney and their people have caused this country may never be undone. We are well on the way to Facism, and aside from cataclysmic upheaval, there very well will be no turning back.

No, we do not need to present a "united front". That is a stupidly simplistic and naively jingoistic thing to write. We need to be involved with our government, educated to its duplicities, and watching its every movement, and speaking out and joining groups and organizing and mobilizing with others who share our views to bring about change. Lock-step, goose-stepping, unquestioning compliance with authority leads to what we have on our hands now. Thirty-five percenters such as you!

Now, to the personal matter. One of the luxuries that your ilk has on the internet is that you can question a man's courage, patriotism, and so forth without suffering the natural consequences of such scurrilous behavior. Those who know me, know me; and I have no need or desire to justify or explain myself, or what I have done and continue to do on behalf of my country, to some piss-ant on an obscure web forum.

Other than to say this, my family has been in the country since 1709, (and actually through my Iroquois and Cherokee bloodlines, much longer than that) we've fought with valor and meritorious distinction in every war this country has had. And I do not take lightly some scut questioning my courage or patriotism---which you would not dare do to my face.

My hope for you is that your son survives this deployment with a whole body, mind and senses intact and that he acquires more wisdom, honor and civility than have you.

I remain firmly behind that and offer no apologies or retraction. It stands now as it stood then!

[nuovonudo]

I remain firmly behind that and offer no apologies or retraction. It stands now as it stood then!

did you or did you not mean to call popper a "piss-ant"?

this "bully" wants to know.

[NudeAl]

Am I prepared for an IED on my way to work? Am I prepared to be nuked? Well, I would say I am equally unprepared for both. I am prepared to be flamed on these boards because it is what we commonly do to each other, it is just some battles get taken to a higher level.

I am less concerned about an IED and a nuke than I am about my civil liberties taken away. I could drop dead of a heart attack or get hit by a bus much easier statistically. Let me tell you a little story. I got back from Iraq last spring and we were lucky no one got killed. We logged over 10,000 miles on convoy escort duty probably more like 20,000. The unit we replaced wasn't so lucky they lost a few. They knew the area better than we did. They knew the area they got hit at even took the evasive maneuver of jumping across to the wrong side of the road pulling a John Candy we used to call it. They were in a MRAP Mine resistant vehicle. But they were hit by an EFP IED a shape charge IED that will cut through anything. So they lost we didn't, it's called luck. You just never know when your number is up and when it's up that's it, that's all she wrote.

[usmc1]

Am I prepared for an IED on my way to work? Am I prepared to be nuked? Well, I would say I am equally unprepared for both. I am prepared to be flamed on these boards because it is what we commonly do to each other, it is just some battles get taken to a higher level.

I am less concerned about an IED and a nuke than I am about my civil liberties taken away. I could drop dead of a heart attack or get hit by a bus much easier statistically. Let me tell you a little story. I got back from Iraq last spring and we were lucky no one got killed. We logged over 10,000 miles on convoy escort duty probably more like 20,000. The unit we replaced wasn't so lucky they lost a few. They knew the area better than we did. They knew the area they got hit at even took the evasive maneuver of jumping across to the wrong side of the road pulling a John Candy we used to call it. They were in a MRAP Mine resistant vehicle. But they were hit by an EFP IED a shape charge IED that will cut through anything. So they lost we didn't, it's called luck. You just never know when your number is up and when it's up that's it, that's all she wrote.

Damn glad you're back and intact. We had some concerns. Several of us spoke of you in the threads when these topics came up...you were on our minds and in our hearts.

Will this be it, or will you have to rotate back there or 'Stan.

[NudeAl]

Thanks USMC, I am DONE!

Well, I think I am, nothing is for certain. I could be called back but I am on terminal leave now with a retirement date of 31 August. So I am pounding the pavement looking for a job getting my VA stuff done doctors appointments all that stuff.

I would have liked to be able to access this website from over there but due to the firewall software I wasn't able to.

[luvdiving]

I spent some years in the Army and then almost 2 1/2 years in Iraq and Afghanistan as a contractor working to disarm explosive devices and destroy munitions before it becomes an IED. Other than traveling to work in an armored vehicle with a team medic in the convoy (we did, everyday), I can say that there is very little you can do to be prepared.

IEDs, from grenade sized IEDs up to and including improvised nuclear devices can be discussed to look like a normal part of the scenery. They can be molded into the cement of a roadside curb, hidden in a dead animal along side the road, piled into a culvert running under the road, tied to a tree limb hanging over the road, strapped to a person and hidden in vehicles. This list is by no means complete.

When I worked in Iraq, we had an opportunity to make a "PX run" from our remote sites to a major base to buy things. We didn't let the threat of IEDs stop us then, and now that I'm back in the good old US of A, I don't plan to spend time worrying about them either. But then, I'm not much for worrying anyway.

If something happens, call 911.