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9/11—We Said We'd Never Let It Happen Again, and Yet It Might

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WE, AT RAND-THINK-TANK, EXAMINE SCENARIOS AND PREPARE RESPONSES---SOME VERY PASSIVE-AND SOME VERY DIRECT AND VIOLENT-CAPABLE. THIS IS DONE TO PREPARE AMERICA TO NEVER BE LEFT "FLAT-FOOTED" to possible intrusion---even if it is unpleasant to contemplate. NOBODY LIKES CONTEMPLATING DEATH---BUT BETTER TO AVOID THE SCENE OR PREEMPTIVELY MAKE YOUR ENEMY PAY THE PRICE FIRST.OUR ENEMY, AS SEEN IN RECENT YEARS AND MONTHS, HAS SEEN OPTUNISTIC WAYS TO BLEND, CRAFT, AND MORPH THEIR BLOODY INTENTIONS AROUND A LIMP AND RETRACTED SECURITY FRONT IN THE UNITED STATES. WE PAT EACH OTHER DOWN AT AIRPORTS AND DEBATE HOW MUCH PERFUME IN TUBES IS ALLOWABLE---BUT THE ENEMY IS NOT GOING TO USE THE SAME METHODS AGAIN-----HE I-S GOING TO GET OUR ATTENTION WHEN HE SHOWS US WHERE OUR SECURITY BREECHES LIE-AND MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE PAID AND TRAINED OUR AVERAGE SECURITY A WEE-BIT BETTER! THAT BEING SAID---I DO NOT FLY,TAKE TRAINS, OR GO UP IN TALL BUILDING---EAR PRESSURES, YOU KNOW. BUT SURE AS I AM A FORMER SECURITY AGENT, I SEE A BAD MOON A-RISIN'......

NOT JACK of FL 3:20PM January 31, 2010

BUT YOU HAVE OUT-SOURCED EVERYTHING SO THAT THE COUNTRY PRODUCES LITTLE, HAS NO RESPECT FOR SECURITY, AND HAS PUSHED OFF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES EXCEPT SCREWING YOUR GIRLFRIEND! AND YOU THINK---AWWW-IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN! THE GUNS AND SILVER IN MY SAFE SAY,"OH, YES, IT CAN!" THE STANDING ARMY IS BOLSTERED BY ,WHAT----OVERUSED NATIONAL GUARD USED FOR HOME DISASTERS ( GEE-WHAT HAPPENS IF ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE IN KANSAS, MATILDA????! ) AND FURTHER BOLSTERED BY BLACKWATER AND WACKENHUT----OH MY GOD---OMG!!!!!!! FOLKS, THERE ARE NO MISSILES ON ROOFTOPS, AND SUPERMAN'S CLOSET DRESSING ROOM, LIKE JACK BAUER'S PHONE ( IS IT RING-ING-RING-ING! ) ARE FIG-NEWTONS OF OUR IMAGINATION! THIS TIME THE ENEMY USES SMALL AIRPLANES ON REMOTE AIRSTRIPS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CITIES, AND PACKS HIGH EXPLOSIVES FOR SOFT TARGETS LIKE REACTORS OR SHOPPING MALLS. HAVE WE LEARNED ANYTHING? YES-MIDDLE-MANAGEMENT LAYS OFF WORKERS QUICKLY, THOSE WHO STAY GET LITTLE PAY---AND MY MONEY ON A TOUT SAYS THAT WORKERS REVOLT BEFORE AL-QAEDA EVER DROPS A LITTLE PLANE, WE HAVEN'T LEARNED THE CENTRAL LESSON--DO NOT PISS-OFF THE WORKING MASSES!

randthinker of FL 3:04PM January 31, 2010

Correction to my previous comment, which I should have proofed before posting. The title of the book should have been "The Age of Sacred Terror."
Doh.

Chris of FL 8:29PM October 27, 2008

Correction to my previous comment, which I should have proofed before posting. The title of the book should have been "The Age of Sacred Terror."
Doh.

of 8:28PM October 27, 2008

No doubt we MUST remain strong and resolute. We know there are cell's of extremists all over our country and Europe. Now is the time for all of us to make the right decision on November 4th at the ballot box.

Joe Piette of IL 10:40AM September 30, 2008

Fact: No attacks have occurred under Bush's watch.
Fact: His decisive action and willingness to press on has scared the pants off the entire middle east.
Fact: The military and the CIA have not let up a single minute since 9/11
Fact: It took almost two decades to catch the Uni-Bomber and he was right here in the US! If not for his own brother would still be on the lam.
I lived with an Iranian girl for 18 years (here in the states) and believe me, their family and friends in Iran convey the "real truth" that leaders in that country (and Syria) are secretly terrified that a nationalist nut job will cause "regime change" by blowing something up on US soil.
Richard Clark is the typical policy wonk schmuck who never accomplished a thing but sell books that praise his 20/20 hind site. His comments are less than worthless in the real world.

Patrick D of FL 3:35AM September 21, 2008

There should be little surprise at an overall inability to absolutely prevent another horrendous attack - we can't 100% stop our elected officials from being assassinated either.
Determination and opportunity are also present, and that is why the public needs to be kept informed and to inform itself. This moron still in the White House, plural - morons - are ignorant and short-sighted in the extreme.

Frank G Anderson of NY 10:03PM September 19, 2008

Amen 2 that, Christmas Tree!!!! Those Al Qaeda guys would kill us all again without a second thought if we don't do our part. We did not do a single thing to those guys, and they hate our guts. When we figure it out will be on the second Tuesday of this week. How long will we wait to avenge the deaths of so many of the seed of our country? It sickens me to have to stand by and watch while we do mostly nothing to those that spilled the blood of freedom. When we get them, if we get them, it will make my day.

Jon of MT 10:47PM September 17, 2008

As is the case with most reactions to readiness there is more heat than light. Since 9/11 we have "boot on the ground" working with the non-federal healthcare sector.Many characterize the sector as the "weakest link in Homeland Security" unfortunately these observations are on the mark. Lack of leadership at all levels of government and an Industry(90% of the nation's healthcare delivery is in this sector)in denial,focused on the bottom-line,has betrayed a trusting public. The sectors handover to a new Administration is minimal. One of the greatest threats, for which the sector is not prepared is the proliferation of new BioLabs with the worlds most dangerous bioagents. Recent accidents and unknown amounts of post-Katrina residue pose non-terrorist biologic hazards for which the sector is not prepared. Would be terrorist(domestic or international) need little imagination to successfully create an event which produces "Terror Multiplier Effect" killing mass numbers of patients and caregivers while denying care to other casualties is tempting. JB

Been there-done that of GA 1:09PM September 17, 2008

Our goverment,or rather i shoud say,people who run our gov. and our buisness institutions are EVIL.Now their not this way just because of their various gov. and secular titles,or positions of authority/power.You see all of us,myself included,no matter our religous denomination,up-bringing,culture,demograghic,race,or whatever, are going to, or have used our position/authority to either our,or somebody`s advantage.This in of itself, while not evil,is wrong and most times people don`t get caught.However when these actions are done delibertly to the detrament of others,NOW one is being evil.So when the powers that be,get away with their wrong doing time after time,they of course get greedy.History has taught us this over the years.When people attain an substantial amount of power and all the trappings that may go with it,(fame, reconition, admiration, prestidge,ect.)they will do just about anything in or out of their power to keep it.Always remember too,it`s these people that are high enough on the totum pole to, not only see the bigger piture,but to manipulate people,things,and events that not only affect you,but do so in an adverse way.Big buisness and goverment are and have been so interwoven with each other,that along with our highly technically and geo-politically advanced world-wide economy,has really made the greedy,greedier.We all know that war,any war is big buisness.The people that would perpetuate this don`t care about you or your loved ones,only their bottom line.The people that cause millons to become ill and die,only care about the millons they made.The politicians who are suppose to be "for the people,of the people",work for big buisness(special interest).Agin,when you look at the history,it`s not exactly a stretch to beleive that maybe somebodies on our side probally had something to do with 9/11.Hey!let me bring this douwn to my lowly level for you.I know myself and many other people have been selling things on the black market for years.Lots of things have to be brought into the country,by land,water,or air.So you mean to tell me that the most richest,techanally advanced civillivation,to say the least only super power on the globe...can`t secure it`s air,land,and sea boarders?Well hell,illeagal trafficers of all sorts of stuff have been proving that since before my pappy was born.

not rocket science of IL 1:40AM September 16, 2008