fear the most, terrorist or our government.

[Edward429451]

The terrorists don't hate us for our way of life. They hate us for our government's foreign policy. It dances around the globe inflicting freedom on others in 2000 pound doses. Who made US the global cop? We'd be much safer if we came home and concentrated our efforts in support of the people. They do indeed provoke terrorists and any more preservation of 'our way of life' (restrictions) will get blamed on the terr's also. The .gov is a seriously bigger threat than any terrorist.

You've got to be suspicious of a government that says "We're under attack! Quick, take everybody's weapons and liberties!!"

 

[Ryder]

The fact that we can even post comments like these reflects the fact that we still enjoy freedom that is the envy of the world.

This freedom will become a privilege once the government begins taxing it. It will happen soon I think.

I don't fear terrorism. We are too big, they are small and distant. Does the elephant fear the mosquito?

 

[kcslim]

I have not posted much on this forum,but I would like to try and add to this post by saying The goal of the islamic terrorist is to place the whole world under sharia that is the name for islamic law. If they have their way (which they wont) we would be governed by a taliban style government. Personaly I would take our govenrment now over any form of this Sharia crap. Please check out http://www.itshappening.com/

 

[Freedspeak]

Gov.

From what I see the government is doing the terrorists' job for them, they claimed they were going to destroy the American way of life, and the gov.is doing it for them!

Freedoms restricted, rights curtailed, this or that for your own/society's good.

Sounds reminiscent of the warnings from Jefferson and Franklin!

 

[Atticus]

I agree that our foreign policy is pretty bad at times, but I can't help but believe that :

The 911 attacks don't happen = we don't invade Afghanistan.

Iraq doesn't invade Kuwait - we leave Iraq alone and Saddam does not start his covert war against the US (including an assassination plot against President Bush Sr.).

Serbians don't murder Muslims en masse, and invade neighbors- we are not in Kosovo.

Long term solutions often result in painfull short term consequences....
and the duration of those terms is the real issue. However, the beauty of our system is that we can always vote for change.

 

[stevelyn]

The government for certain. If the terrs attack at least most of the people will be outraged enough to support retaliatory strikes. If the govt. attacks most people will go along with it and buy the govt's story. Look at Ruby Ridge and Waco, then look at what USA PATRIOT sets us up for if you think I'm wrong on this one.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

One more for the government

It is in the risk analysis

Terrorism: small region affected, limited duration fo attack. Worst possible result is being severly maimed. Death is not so much an issue. Attacks do not affect my way of life, nor my posterity.

Government: Whole US affected, duration limited only by the laws of man and nature. Worst possible result: Slavery, starvation, censorship fear and death for me and my progeny for the next 200 years.

As far as likeyhoods are concerned, I think that they are equally certain over time.

Terrorists will attack again. They will kill a whole bunch of people.

The voters are concerned with being protected. They will give consent for the gov to increase it's powers.

 

[omega5]

Over a 170 million civillians killed by their own government in the last century. I know who I fear the most.

 

[longeyes]

Both. Excess begets excess.

Both have the power to lay waste to everything most of us here value and would fight to the death to protect.

As for elephants and mosquitos, elephants are a shrinking, endangered species and mosquitos have destroyed millions at last count.

 

[lee n. field]

Government.

 

[rdbrowning]

When the terrorists attack it seems to bring out the best in the people of America, ironically it makes us take pride in our strength and we act strong again.

It's not the government per se that I fear, it is those that have taken it over to further their ideas of right and wrong. Remember that we were founded as a republic and not a democracy, but you never hear that mentioned, we are always refered to as a democracy. It sounds like a case of semantics, but the differences are important. The best description that I have heard is that in a democracy, 50%+1 determines right from wrong. In a republic there is an absolute set of rules defining what is right and wrong. Ever since the 60's we have heard the never ending chant "there are no absolutes, everything is relative". Our founding fathers did not feel this way. They used terms such as "We hold these truths to be self evident...", "the right... shall not be infringed".

I'm afraid that it is not the outsiders that is destroying us, it is the insiders that, under the disguise of freedom, will remove everyons freedom by removing the infra structure that supports it, the sense of right and wrong and the sense of personall responsibility.

 

[longeyes]

It's not an either-or. The socialist types have been working for decades to undermine Constitutional values here. That doesn't mean outside terrorists aren't also a serious threat, on a different front. If you think your culture can't be crippled, perhaps terminally, by terrorists with access to modern weapons, you are naive. What these two groups have in common is their collectivist bent. Socialism, Sharia meet in collective priorities and mind-control.

 

[berto]

The Government,incrementalism.

 

[CMichael]

Terrorists. Frankly, I think the government has done a great job handling this war.

 

[71Commander]

Government

#1 reason: Ashcroft

 

[artherd]

The same government that says I can't own an AR-15 to defend my home.

 

[NC Shooter]

In the long run, our Government. The Constitution is being eroded bit by bit by both parties. We are losing our freedoms and most Americans don't seem to care. Sad.

Hopefully, there will be a great awakening in this country before it is too late. May the rebellion be peaceful.

 

[DaveB]

Just you wait...

db

 

[seeker_two]

Without a doubt--Government.

The terrorists can only kill a relatively small number of people at a time.

They can't suspend habeas corpus...
They can't suspend the Bill of Rights--fully or piecemeal...
They can't disarm the populace...
They can't investigate & prosecute the "unpatriotic"...
They can't keep the southern borders open & unprotected...
They can't use the courts to chip away at our most sacred traditions...

...only Government has done so.

After the '00 Elections showed the deep division, we're heading for a future not unlike modern-day Northern Ireland. A future where the two sides (the Constitutionalists & the Federalists) will fight each other in the streets w/ bullet & bomb. And our government will come down hard against the Constitutionalists. This one won't be like the last Civil War w/ two distinct uniformed armies. This one will be guerrilla warfare pure and simple--a war of Unintended Consequences and Enemies Foreign & Domestic.

And I mourn the day that it finally comes...

 

[jimpeel]

The government, of course. They can hurt us under color of law, and for our own good, while claiming a "higher moral purpose".

Remember, the Nazis did what they did for "the greater good".

 

[rage]

the government!


I'm very concerned that the slow erosion of our rights has shifted into a faster gear with Patriot II.

 

[feedthehogs]

Main Entry: fear
Pronunciation: 'fir
Function: verb
Date: before 12th century
transitive senses
1 archaic : FRIGHTEN
2 : to be afraid of : expect with alarm
intransitive senses : to be afraid or apprehensive
- fear·er noun

If we use the definition of fear, then by all means its the US Government.

While the deaths of 9/11 by terrorists are tragic, the deaths of 100 times that amount from the goverment limiting your ability to defend yourself against criminal attact becomes more important.

If the US government would allow firearms carry on airlines, the 4 planes would have never been hijacked. Deaths maybe would have occured, but not to the extent it happened.
All the state and local governments are just extensions of the federal government in their ability to limit personal protection.

The US is still by far the best place in the world to live and I love it, but according to our founding documents we have back slided quite a bit.

Those who don't think so need to study those documents and the letters and writings of the founders.
Just because we have some freedoms, doesn't mean its right.

We also need to quit playing dodge ball with those terrorists. They kill one of ours, we kill 1000 of theirs.
Don't cry if we do, we'll be just like them.
They brought the fight to us and made the rules. Its time we played the same game.

Growing up in south Philly I took boxing lessons as a kid. First time I was jumped by 4 kids I tried playing by the proper boxing rules right before I got a club to the back of the head.
Since then, anything goes...............................

 

[longeyes]

"The terrorists can only kill a relatively small number of people at a time."

I'm sorry but that is blatantly delusionary. Not only can the terrorists cause enormous casualties if and when they get large-scale weapons, something that is hardly implausible, but they can cripple our infrastructure, and hence our economy, with relatively conventional weapons. They can also do grave damage to our cultural legacy, something not to be underestimated. I find the complacency in this area a bit shocking and can only ascribe it to the fact that a lot of people on this board live far from major urban centers and somehow consider themselves invulnerable. Well, how invulnerable will you be if, for example, one or more major interstate highways are taken out of commission for several months?

That said I share the general distrust and concern about our own Government. But can't we walk and chew gum at the same time?

 

[Jim Diver]

The gov of course.

They even control how I order my burgers at the local restuant... for my own good of course.


I fear what the gov will do to protect me from the terrorists... in stead of letting me defend myself.

 

[jojo]

The government, without hesitation.

DaveB did make a very good point when he said "I fear the people, right and left, who are too busy to even stay awake while their own government eviserates the Constitution."

jojo