Just how threatening IS terrorism really?

[undergroundpanther]

In the five years since that shattering day, the government has spent billions on anti-terrorism projects, instituted a color-coded alert system that has never been green, banned fingernail clippers and water bottles from airplanes, launched a pre-emptive war on false pretenses, and advised citizens to stock up on duct tape and plastic sheeting.

But despite the never-ending litany of warnings and endless stories of half-baked plots foiled, how likely are you, statistically speaking, to die from a terrorist attack?


http://www.wirednews.com/news/technology/0,71743-0.html?tw=wn_index_4

[LynnTheDem]

1. Better odds being run over by a bus.

But shhhh! "War on buses" just doesn't sound scary.

[Mr_Spock]

2. More likely to be hit by lightning

This whole episode is a total embarrassment for this country. Sure we should take terrorism seriously, but making the terrorists win by comparing this BS to WWII & the Civil War is so fucking ridiculous that it makes me embarrassed just hearing his scare tactics.

[havocmom]

3. More worried about our home grown variety than any others

Did I hear KO report on a guy who tried to blow up a clinic... one that didn't have anything to do with abortions? THOSE sorta hateful monsters I worry about, but just a little.

Most of us will die from heart disease or some sort of cancer. Terrorist? They just break up the routine a little

[uppityperson]

4. More concerned about mechanical failure than human caused problem

I hate it when airplanes fall apart/crash/burn and hear "at least it wasn't terrorism", like having things just fall apart/crash/burn spontaneously is ok?

[Jcrowley]

5. You Best Take Security Measures

SECURITY MEASURES


Act as if you know where you are going even if you don't know.

Be as unpredictable as you can be.

For instance: Don't go to your favorite restaurant every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Determine your route in advance.

Always keep distance between yourself and others.

Travel on main, well-lighted roads.

Don't talk to strangers.

Always lock your doors.

Don't keep a key to your apartment or home under the door mat,
or under a potted plant on the front steps.

Don't keep all of your money in one place.

If you think you are being followed, immediately beat a path to public space.

Walk erect and briskly; be alert at all times.

Dress in camouflage.

Report anything unusual or abnormal.

Always remember: You may be a target, even without your knowledge,
simply because of your nationality, ethnicity, political beliefs,
religion, or sexual orientation.

It is always safer to drive close to the center of the road.

Don't accept food from strangers.

Be careful whom you trust.

When going to disease-infested areas, be sure in advance
to get proper pillsand inoculations.

Wear a condom.

Better yet: Don't have sex, especially with strangers.

At night, walk in well-lit areas.

Better still: Don't walk at all.

Drive in heavily armored vehicles.

Install high concrete barriers or walls around your communities to keep out
those who hate you. Call them gates or fences.

If you think you might be attacked, strike first without pausing to assess
whether the threat is real or imagined.

The time it takes to think might cost you your life.

Remember: No place is safe yet some places are safer than others;
you may not be able to determine which is which.

If you know where you are going to die
stay away from that place.

[mmonk]

6. Very REMOTE.

Much lower than lightning but maybe as much probability as getting hit on the head by a asteroid.