[dev_null]

Random neuron firing...

If we're in such dire danger from Al Qaeda and others bent on our destruction that we need an entire new VaterlandSekuritatsBuro, Patriot Acts I & II, Carnivore, Condition Mauve (or is it Beige this week?), and the whole nine, then why have there been no attacks? Why did nothing hit the fan during the last 3-4 weeks? Are we to believe that Big Brother is *that* efficient? Or are the tricky devils so clever that they're waiting to lull us into a false sense of security (ironic use of the term nowadays, innit?)...

Or because the threat just isn't as big as they'd like us to believe, and is being blown up in order to extend government control over the general populace.

Sure, this *might* be my tinfoil hat showing. Then again, I have a hard time believing Jefferson, Madison, Mason, and Co. would have sanctioned half the $#@! we've seen instituted in the last 50 years or so -- for our own good, of course!

Discuss amongst yourselves. Gold star for the best essay, either pro or con...

-0-

[ahadams]

now remember I've been totally out of the biz for 13 years, but going back to a few years before that, when we had a relatively low terror threat level, the bad guys were averaging 3 to 4 trys each month, and just not succeeding. I'd guess both the level of effort on the part of the bad guys and the level of effort on the part of the good guys has gone up substantially since then. In other words, a coherent threat hasn't gotten past the good guys *yet*, but eventually it will. Why? were you hoping it was going to happen near you?:scrutiny:

[TexasVet]

Plus, about every known thug out there has been bagged by nearly every country they operate in or thru. Hundreds of arrests. France, Spain, Syria(!), Pakistan, Germany, England, you name it. Heck, IRAN even turned some of those guys from NE Iraq back when they tried to move over the border. They are begining to get the idea that we won't tolerate states harboring them any more.

They will reorganize, but it's going to take time and new people trained and new money sources that haven't been blown.

[mercedesrules]

VaterlandSekuritatsBuro, Patriot Acts I & II, Carnivore, Condition Mauve (or is it Beige this week?), and the whole nine,
Maybe the purpose of the attacks was to cause the administration to pass the above. The "terrist" succeeded so well no further attacks are needed for the time being. This is not to suggest...:uhoh:
http://images.vnunet.com/v6_image/v6_news/pics/tinfoilhat.jpg
I wear it proudly. :)
MR

[Khornet]

interesting point....like Lenin's theory of terrorism, to provoke the authorities to such desperation that they trample civil rights and create new recruits for the Cause.

But actually incorrect. The terrorists would be hoping to provoke the Gov't to more effectively suppress them?

And while we do hear a few voices protesting the Homeland Security Dept. programs, most are putting up with it pretty quitetly.

[mercedesrules]

The terrorists would be hoping to provoke the Gov't to more effectively suppress them?
No, to suppress us. The government isn't suppressing them, alone. It's suppressing everyone. The terrorists are used to suppression; they are from dictatorships.

MR