Why aren't there more terrorist attacks in the US?

[survivor999]

For instance, virtually the entire railroad system is unprotected and dangerous chemicals are transported each day through densely populated areas. If there is a "terrorist network" composed of individuals with minimal competence, then why aren't train cars full of deadly chemicals blowing up left and right? Certainly, it would create serious disruption and fear. The answer probably is that such a network does not exist, or is made up of individuals who are not very effective. What are other plausible explanations?

[TomClash]

1. Most known potential terrorists are under surveillance nt

[LostinVA]

9. Like Quakers and Nuns n/t

[TomClash]

11. Them too

Now watch yourself. Big Brother is Watching. :hide:

[RedStateShame]

2. They're killing us there so they don't have to kill us here.

[nancyr]

3. Terrorists???

They don't have to do a darn thing other than sit back and watch us self-distruct. I'd say they've accomplished their goals nicely. And, who is "they"? That's the problem.

[MindPilot]

4. It's obviously because our highly competent government

is protecting us so well.

I'm sorry, I couldn't write that with a straight face. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Avalux]

5. Why bother? Our government is doing the job for them.

What is the definition of terrorism? It's fear-driven; the objective is not to kill but to cripple with fear. I'd say that since 9/11 our own government has managed to scare this country into giving up its rights. The 'terrorists' (whoever they are) are watching with amusement.

[survivor999]

6. Good point.

Everything is "terror-related" these days. The terrorists have won: we are terrorized/terrified.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Uh oh. Now you've done it. They'd have never thought of it if you

hadn't mentioned it.

Fortunately, Homeland Security is on the job. Expect a visit from them, any moment.

[Virginia Dare]

8. Maybe because we've been lied to?

That there really isn't a well organized and trained army of radical Islamics ready, able and willing to do us harm at a moments notice?

Don't get me wrong, there are people out there who would like to make a name for themselves by attacking here in the U.S., but these things take time and money to organize, and are usually sniffed out before they ever get off the ground. 90% of them don't ever become public.

That's why in my opinion it's ridiculous to believe that 9/11 could have happened without some inside help. Not something of that size and scale.

[survivor999]

13. Have you ever watched "24" ?

I confess, I've been watching it, the last two seasons. Well, if baddies such as those really existed we'd be completely toast!

[Virginia Dare]

28. No, I haven't watched it...

I'm afraid my attention span isn't long enough for any serial show that lasts longer than about 2 or 3 episodes. My father-in-law watches it and really enjoys it though.

I figure we're toast the way things are going, baddies or not.

[Swamp Rat]

10. Americans have been terrorized daily for as long as I can remember

[leesa]

12. Because we aren't under occupation.

Because we aren't deperately poor. Because we have a military. Because, except occasionally, like 9-11, we don't have government ops designed to coax us into long term warring...in the ME such ops are a constant.

[dysfunctional press]

14. because the war on terror is a sham meant to control us.

with the number of 'soft targets' available in the u.s., if there were really a terrorist threat, there would be killings almost daily.

for instance:
there have been 5 xmas shopping seasons since 9/11 occurred-
if there were really a vast terrorist network out to get us, it would be a very simple thing to detonate a chemical bomb(cyanide plus hydrochloric acid) or two in a couple of shopping malls or walmarts on the day after thanksgiving- it would destroy the holiday shopping and deal a hefty blow to the u.s. economy.

the government overseers want us to think and fear that every terrorist attack will be on the level of 9/11, or worse.

[zanne]

16. I think you're right, QuestionAll.

I find it so hard to believe that terrorists managed to topple the Twin Towers with incredible precision, yet we haven't even had one measly suicide bomber since then. Think of all the huge crowds we have in this country; football games, Nascar, and how about Times Square on New Year's Eve?

[kentuck]

19. Basically correct...

If there were terrorists and they had the means to attack us, they would. It is mostly a sham. There's only so many people willing to blow themselves up, even if they had the means to do harm? It's mostly a sham. Unfortunately or fortunately perhaps...

[liberal N proud]

15. Why do you hate America?

It is because Georgie W. is doing such an outstanding job with the war on terror and he has Osama on the run so he can't organize any attacks.

Where have you been, with the arrest of the guys in Miami that had no money, and no explosives but were some how going to blow up the Sears Tower? Come-on that is such a prime example of how safe our government under the republican leadership is keeping Amerika.
:sarcasm:




I am sure there will be many more examples between now and November designed to demonstrate how much safer we are now that bu$h and the "homeland" security team is in place and they can listen to your phone conversation and read your email. Not to fear super-monkey is here.

:scared:

[leftofthedial]

17. "terrorism" is 99% bullshit

virtually all terrorism is homegrown and local

and most Americans are too well fed to start blowing shit up yet.

[Kingshakabobo]

18. I agree. ..and we are "mostly" insulated by an ocean from "them." nt

[leftofthedial]

24. why are you posting here?

shouldn't you be wrapping your house in plastic and duct tape in case "they" learn how to use "boats"?

[Kingshakabobo]

26. Because I live in a bomb shelter. n/t

[leftofthedial]

36. cool!

:hide: :thumbsup:


don't take any wooden :nuke:

[milkyway]

20. Because al Qaeda changed their tactics, according to the U.S. Army.

The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has recently translated a manual from an al Qaeda insider which says they are reluctant to use another 9/11-type attack because they believe they have the upper hand in the public relations battle with the U.S. Bush/Cheney reacted to 9/11 exactly as al Qaeda had hoped they would.

Discussed here with links:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1524461

[survivor999]

25. Hmmmm...

So, if they blow stuff up we are at war. If they don't, we are still at war (cuz they are just waiting). Damn.

[Terran1212]

21. They fight overseas

I think they believe that liberating Muslim lands is more effective. If they really do care about the occupation and whatnot, they'll realize that attacking americans in america will not help their cause.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. "Never interfere when your enemy is detroying himself" - Napoleon

Seems like the "terrorists" are heeding Napoleon.

[CBGLuthier]

23. Because 9/11 was and still is effective enough

9/11 did the exact job that its planners and perpetrators desired.

I think we will have another attack summer of '08 to further the course.

[citizen snips]

27. Because the terrorists moved to Iraq to the fight the US occupation.

[Virginia Dare]

29. Who handled the relocation package on that?

Coldwell Banker?

:rofl:

[ComerPerro]

30. Its not easy to pull off a major terror attack. Even 9/11 could and should

have been prevented.

Its a remarkable thing, in fact, that it wasn't.

[sendero]

38. It goes well beyond remarkable..

.. all the way to unbelievable.

[fordnut]

31. no need for one yet

Because Bush got exactly what he wanted on 9-11 and hasn`t needed another one yet.

[Fleshdancer]

32. Geography is a big part of it IMO

When it comes to foreign terrorism, it took 8 years between the first WTC bombing and 9/11. I imagine finding the resources and people plus coming up with the plan takes time. Hell, many of the assholes responsible for 9/11 were patient enough to apply for US visas and enroll in flight school in order to commit their act of atrocity. They're not on a strict time frame it appears. Besides, it's not just the act of terrorism that counts, but also the psychological aftermath...in the case of 9/11, with the fear and the warmongering and the restrictions of civil liberties, I would concluded that we are still being terrorized.

As for domestic terrorism, well it happens every so many years. The US has had a handful of domestic terrorist acts that I know of since 9/11 but they haven't been very publicized. On one hand, it appears that most domestic terrorists just aren't very smart. The plans seem much much smaller and they seem much easier to catch. On the other hand, it doesn't appear that our govt really considers throwing a home made bomb into an abortion clinic as "real" terrorism. It's infuriating.

[spanone]

33. Cheney hasn't unleashed them yet...November is coming soon.

[lectrobyte]

34. Because they don't need to. They (for multiple possible values of "them")

are accomplishing their goals without more acts of terror. And what do they want? http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/10/01247/557 seems as good an analysis as any I've read.

[blues90]

35. Personally I don't buy into the terrorist thing at all

If this lying BCF had prevented one attack then it stands to reason they would show the proof , the reason they always offer is they don't want to give away information , well would'nt the terrorists already have a copy of their own plans ? What secrete info would be let out ?

Bush is completely full of shit as is this entire administration . They are the only terrorists out there . Do they actually expect we should take it on faith that they are doing one thing to keep us safe ?

[MorningGlow]

37. Remember the "red scare"?

Commies under the bed and all that?

Same thing: Booga booga. And it comes to nothing except our freedom is compromised. And when the "terra-ists" are defanged, who will be the next enemy?

[survivor999]

39. But the terra-ists

cannot be defanged. They're everywhere. And even when you don't see them they're just sleeping in their cell (that's why they're called sleeper cells :) I suppose) and waiting to come out.

[MorningGlow]

41. Kinda like the robbers in A Christmas Story

Slinking all over the backyard, slithering through the gap in the gate, hiding behind the tree...all ripe for the picking by Ralphie and his BB gun, "Ole Blue."

But of course they were mere cartoons...oh wait...



(Our fearless leader? "Careful, kid--you'll shoot your eye out.")

[gatorboy]

40. Why would they need to?

They seem to have done the trick for ole Dubya. Not only has George angered most of the world with his war mongering, he's stripped away our freedoms bit by bit and has helped build a growth in terrorism like we have never seen. The job's been done.

But you could probably ask the same thing about Clinton's presidency. There was the failed attempt at blowing up the WTC during the first months of his presidency then nothing on our shores until 9/11. Perhaps they'll wait for someone else to be elected and start over..