New Al-Qaeda Threats

[RobDog888]

Just announced tonight, seems that they are identifying Los Angeles and Melbourne as the next targets for a terrorist attack. On the heels of hurricane katrina and the London bombings, this would be devistating to all. Do you think they are real threats or just trying to make us live in a life of fear?

[MrPolite]

I really really feel sorry for these terrorists
so hopeless they are..... the idiots can't use logical ways to send their message to people (whatever it is), so they cling to murder.

[RobDog888]

Ya, its similar to hackers and virus authors. They are so smart that they can get into or around anything but they cant put their knowledge to good use like getting a good job or creating some new powerful software.

[MrPolite]

yeah slightly similar

but the point is.... the terrorist has got to have a message to send, and he can't hahahaha bombings and whatnot will just turn the whole world against them and their message (even if it'd be right, doubtfully heh).
total morans

[RobDog888]

Well if they spent 1/10 as much effort on doing something to positively promote their cause they would get 100x the response and actually make some progress to solve their issues. But the way they are doing things now they are getting the world to hate them.

[BodwadUK]

They operate through threats. Whats new

[RobDog888]

They usually carry out their threats. I dont see why they are picking on Melbourne though.

[Valleysboy1978]

The Irish, and English have had to deal with the IRA for 40+ years so they have much experience with terrorists. If there is anything to be learned from this, it is all about the shock factor.
The Omagh bombing is a perfect example. Instead of a simple bomb they use a nail bomb. What the bomb didn't kill, the 60mph nails did. Men, women and children alike.

Believe me, if they have the conviction you will not stop them. Just get on with life and don't let them get to you. That is why the IRA has now given up, not only did they realise that they changed nothing but they were also slowly losing support from their own countrymen. We need to identify who Al-Qaeda's supporters are. Once done we need to squeeze them where it hurts....financially. Imagine we threatened to stop purchasing oil from said country by developing the electric car. They'd wet themselves as they'd suddenly lose 90% of their exports!

As for LA and Melbourne. LA is a definite possibility as nothing on the Western coast has been hit as yet. Melbourne isn't likely as Sydney would be the better target for shock factor....especially the iconic opera house. Remember these attacks have not been about casualty rates. A bomb in a sport stadium would be more effective...these are about targeting monuments:
The Twin Towers
London Underground
Madrid station (which is almost as old as rail travel itself)
LA? - Hollywood or Beverly Hills?
Sydney? - Sydney Opera House or Sydney Bridge?

[RobDog888]

True, they dont seem to be logical at all as areas of mass population are not targeted but more targeting of the monuments and functionality loss or other areas. They could easily target LAX as I think previous threats were made on it. This would be killing of many people and disabling of its functionality. Not to mention the disruption of life for the entire so. cal area. LAX is a vital part of life here and I think its in the top 5 busiest airports in the world.

[Valleysboy1978]

LAX is a possibility but security may be a bit too tight there.
I thought the Golden Gate Bridge would be a more likely target.

[RobDog888]

They mentioned in their video that it was LA and Melbourne. So who knows what their thinking.

[Shaggy Hiker]

The person in the video is thought to be an American who converted to Islam. I was under the impression that the CIA thought he was more bark than bite.

[RobDog888]

Yes, the guy is from so. cal and they know exactly who he is and that he is in Packestan right now. Packestan? Pakestan? Pakastan?

[Shaggy Hiker]

Yeah, whatever. None of those spellings look right, but I can't think how to spell it either.

The whole video could just be some kid spouting off to feel important. That was the tone of the report I heard.

[MasterBlaster]

Hopefully they screw up in LA and blow up Michael Moore's House. Actually LAX has already been a target. They arrested a guy in Seattle a few years back with a truckload of explosives. He admitted it was to blow up at LAX. Can't remember the fellas name, though.

[demotivater]

Pakistan I think.

Doesn't seem like a lot of weight is being given to the latest message, just some propaganda on the 9/11 anniversary.

I hear there are major power outages in LA right now, but initial word is that it's not terror related.

[MasterBlaster]

Pakistan I think.

Doesn't seem like a lot of weight is being given to the latest message, just some propaganda on the 9/11 anniversary.

I hear there are major power outages in LA right now, but initial word is that it's not terror related.

The power companies do that every summer. It sucks, Our power bills in Seattle go up because of it. California claims a shortage and hikes their rates. Then they buy Washington State power at a ridiculously low rate and charge top dollar to Californians for it. In turn Washington State and Oregon power companies Jack up their prices using the diversion of power to California as an excuse. Just another way for the Energy "Drug" Dealers to gouge us a little deeper. Same thing going on with Gasoline right now. Only it's on a continental Level between the US Mexico and Canada.

[baja_yu]

Just announced tonight, seems that they are identifying Los Angeles and Melbourne as the next targets for a terrorist attack. On the heels of hurricane katrina and the London bombings, this would be devistating to all. Do you think they are real threats or just trying to make us live in a life of fear?

If you made a poll I would have chosen "...or just trying to make us live in a life of fear..."

[RobDog888]

"Claims shortages", until you live here and get your power turned off, not for non-payment of the bill, and have to get by without electricity will you believe. Or to have major blackouts because everyone in the city is using air conditioners and fans to keep cool during the summer and blowing the power grid will you then believe that we do have a real power issue in CA.

[MasterBlaster]

I never said there wasn't a power issue. I just question how many of the power issues are self inflicted by the power companies. Funny, even with a shortage of power generating plants and the insane amount of profit the power companies make. Every summer your grids crash. Why? See my other posts. It gives your power companies a good excuse to gouge you and my power supplier to gouge me. Funny a prive company can provide a defective product and not be responsible for the cost. Imagine Firestone jacking up the prices of the tires because they are defective and there will be a shortage of that particular make of defective tires.

[RobDog888]

Well I'm sure they passed along the cost to any future tire purchases.

It probably crashes because the power grid is old and is need of a major upgrade. It was all a scam and thanks to stupid Grey Davis for ruining our state!

[MasterBlaster]

Well I'm sure they passed along the cost to any future tire purchases.

It probably crashes because the power grid is old and is need of a major upgrade. It was all a scam and thanks to stupid Grey Davis for ruining our state!

Grey Davis? I heard the power grid failures were caused by some waco using power tools to remodel his house in the middle of summer

[RobDog888]

Grey Davis is our previous Govenor that we booted out of office for the Terminator.

Hey, I bet our Govenor can kick your Govenor's ass!


Yes, I heard that too. The guy suppossedily has all kinds of Craftsman and Portor Cable power tools in his garage.

[grilkip]

Grey Davis is our previous Govenor that we booted out of office for the Terminator.

Some people say that the binding referenda that 'the people' can hold in your state has been detremental to the politics. Any views on that? I'm curious because here there is talk that whe should have binding referenda.

[Shaggy Hiker]

As much as we like democracy, a republic is a better idea.

I grew up in a small (but rich) town where the big budget items were voted on at a town meeting. Since the revenue source that paid for these items was property taxes, people were paying for their decisions.

This looks like a particularly fair way to do things, and generally people appeared to make rational choices. Since everybody understood why we needed snow plows, items like that generally received strong support. However, it wasn't always that way.

One year, an item came up early on. Somebody pointed out that buying the item directly (as opposed to a loan) would save money (no interest). My mother (who headed the town council) informed them that buying directly would save money, but the entire amount of the purchase would have to come out of next years budget, which would mean that taxes would be higher. That was fine with people, and they went on to purchase everything up front that year. No bonds at all, but several purchases. Naturally, taxes went through the roof. The town was not allowed to run a deficit, so tax revenue had to be increased to cover the will of the people.

The next year, everybody had forgotten that they did this to themselves. Nobody was willing to buy ANYTHING. A new plow was on the agenda because one of the old ones was barely driveable. Somebody suggested plowing with the road grader rather than buying a plow. It was pointed out that you would be wearing out a very expensive, very specialized piece of equipment. This would mean saving a small amount now in place of a MUCH greater cost in a couple of years. This was ignored, and pretty much every other expense was defeated as well.

They stampeded in one direction the first year, even though they knew it would make their taxes soar in the next year. However, once they actually felt the effect, they turned and stampeded in the other direction the next year....even though they knew it would cost them more in the long run.

This is democracy. It is not wise and it is not visionary. However, it does represent the view of the people at the moment the view is polled. Binding referenda have the same effect. They are as likely to reflect a very short-term irrational view as a long-term directive.

[grilkip]

Well, I was biased against them but you've tipped me over Shaggy Hiker

[Valleysboy1978]

Isn't the US a republic?
(UK is a democracy as the monarch has no actual ruling powers)

[I_Love_My_Vans]

For me it is horrific to see the consiwquence of terrorism, from the media.

I hate terrorism so much, because innocent people die etc, for njo real reason. When bush invaded iraq there was a reason, not oil, but hussan had to be stopped, he was a murderer, and for that we make ourselves targets, for trying to help.

Its a weird feeling, i really delike terrorism, but cannot describe my hate for it enough.

ILMV

[Valleysboy1978]

Now you know how the Irish have felt for the past 40 years, remember terrorism has been around for a long long time. The US (I think mostly in NY?) has had a bad rep because of their support for the IRA which will take some time to rectify

[mendhak]

Just announced tonight, seems that they are identifying Los Angeles and Melbourne as the next targets for a terrorist attack. On the heels of hurricane katrina and the London bombings, this would be devistating to all. Do you think they are real threats or just trying to make us live in a life of fear?

What if AlQaeda is responsible for Hurricane Katrina?!

[NotLKH]

New Al-Qaeda Threats?

Ok. How about:

Make Al-Queda Game Mod, or I sleep with you goat!

[Jacob Roman]

For me it is horrific to see the consiwquence of terrorism, from the media.

I hate terrorism so much, because innocent people die etc, for njo real reason. When bush invaded iraq there was a reason, not oil, but hussan had to be stopped, he was a murderer, and for that we make ourselves targets, for trying to help.

Its a weird feeling, i really delike terrorism, but cannot describe my hate for it enough.

ILMV

And ever since we captured Saddam and defeated his resheem (however you spell it), the War in Iraq has been over, and we continue the fight on the War on Terror. Yes we continue to fight in Iraq as well as other Middle Eastern countries, only we are not fighting Iraqis. Terrorists from all over the Middle East have been coming into Iraq to fight us, and our allies and try to disable everything that has been done. People tend to confuse this war with the War In Iraq, but it's not. Just that Iraq turned out to be a battleground in the War on Terror.

The media hype has really made me angry cause of how biased they have been. They try to make the War seem like a waste of time, and that we shouldn't be there, etc. And they bash Bush any chance they get and do what they can to make him look bad.

[yrwyddfa]

Isn't the US a republic?
(UK is a democracy as the monarch has no actual ruling powers)

The UK monarchy has absolute ruling powers.

Every law passed in the UK is underwritten by the head of the Church Of England - the Queen. It's just that the last time a monarch excercised these rights, parliament lopped his head off.

So the Queen doesn't seem too keen to exercise her birthright's these days. But heriditary peers feel it's ok, and they also do exercise their rights.

[yrwyddfa]

This is democracy. It is not wise and it is not visionary. However, it does represent the view of the people at the moment the view is polled. Binding referenda have the same effect. They are as likely to reflect a very short-term irrational view as a long-term directive.

I agree.

Democracy is a compromised fudge; and what's worse is that we wish to instill such an idea into every nation on the planet.

OK that's a bit strong. But after a little thought anyone can see that the vote is given to all and sundry.

This includes (in the UK) people like the British National Party. For those who have never heard of the BNP, then this is our version of facists. They believe everyone who is not caucasian should be sent back 'to their own country'

Democracy by definition is the idea that all views of a populace are represented in the governing body. This includes the good the bad, and the ugly.

Given that information dissemination is mainly proprieted through the (bias) media, then any decision of a vote will be made through the apparent truths the tabloids vomit up.

Freedom of information, and the concept of a free press is an illusion. Each editor, sub-editor, and journalist has their take on a story. All of it makes it into the publication.

Effectively we are told what we believe. Even worse, the majority will purchase the newspaper that most aligns with their beliefs, creating some kind of negative-feedback re-enforcement loop. A loop that decries rational thought. And, by jove, if you think for yourself: you'll be labelled something horrible, and the press will dig up all the skeletons in your closet and destroy what little of a life you ever had.

In the old(er) days in the UK the government was made up of people who had the right to govern through their birthrights.

This, essentially, is abhorrent, in today's media world. Most will agree that these presents many problems for what we, today, call freedom.

But those who shout the loudest forget the advantages of such a system. The onus on that system was that all the heriditary children were forced to learn how to govern from the earliest of ages. These people were made to dedicate their lives to the governing of a country. They had the best education; a remnant still lives on in places like Eton (etc etc)

Today a successful politician could be an alcholic bumbling fool (Churchill) a wife-beater (Rooselvelt). The one's whose social circumstances appear the best - like a vegan (Hitler) become the biggest brutes of all.

So what chance do we have of measuring a politician's effectiveness. If my local Member of Parliament was an alcoholic would I vote of him? Of course not. But If I was alive in the late 1930's I wouldn't have voted in Churchill and I would probably be speaking German now (Chamberlain may have won another election!)

The media spin and their subsequent obsessions, has destroyed any chance that a normal voter will ever have of making a rational decision of who to vote for. If you can't make a rational decision then (i) You don't bother to vote - and the BNP get a foothold in society because you be sure that their supporters will turn out (ii) you vote in an idiot who turns out to be a meglomaniac.

Which makes modern democracy a farce.

[grilkip]

The media hype has really made me angry cause of how biased they have been. They try to make the War seem like a waste of time, and that we shouldn't be there, etc. And they bash Bush any chance they get and do what they can to make him look bad.

Well, the media are always hyping, but during the beginning of the Iraq 'thing' my feeling was the int. media (CNN) were biased for the war (I do not receive channels such as Fox or MSNBC). So if they are biased against now then they are compensating their own blind following earlier.

[grilkip]

The media spin and their subsequent obsessions, has destroyed any chance that a normal voter will ever have of making a rational decision of who to vote for. If you can't make a rational decision then (i) You don't bother to vote - and the BNP get a foothold in society because you be sure that their supporters will turn out (ii) you vote in an idiot who turns out to be a meglomaniac.

Which makes modern democracy a farce.

The funny thing is that the people demand spin.

[yrwyddfa]

People don't, though. I think they've had enough of it. They see it, they recognise it; they hate it.

I know I do: and I'm the most guilty of all for spinning . . .

My life has always been about playing politics at the personal all the way to the professional level.

[grilkip]

They watch it so they want it, when shows don't get watched they get cancelled.

[yrwyddfa]

I think that's a vastly simplified point of view.

[grilkip]

I'll await the explanation then

I think people have some tendency to demand their politicians to entertain them. They prefer loud talk over unnewsworthy cooperation efforts, When politicians know this they will provide the required acting for the votes.