How safe do you feel on American soil from terrorist attacks?

[Dave]

9/11 was of course a dark and memorable day in American history. Since then we've made many changes to our border controls, added specific functions of government for homeland security, and the people of this country have been perhaps "more on their toes" than in previous years. Personally, I don't think about terrorism in America much anymore, especially like I did back in 2001. Here I am thinking that it's back to the way it was pre 9/11 for me anyway.

That however doesn't mean we aren't at risk in our own country. There are a lot of people out there that despise us and want to kill us. Any kind of attack could happen anytime, but we can't live in fear and as citizens there isn't a whole hell of a lot we can do is there?

How do you feel TODAY about your safety?

 

[Figjam]

...it is not "if" we will sustain another attack from a terrorist group, foreign or domestic. No, it is more of a matter of when will the attack occur. Generally speaking, it is akin to an earthquake, you never know and hope when it happens you are sufficiently prepared to survive.

 

[Cerulean Mutt]

I think statistically you're more likely to be struck by lightning than to be a victim of a terrorist attack.

My feelings are when it's your time to go, it's your time - whether it's by a terrorist attack, drunk driver, or errant golf ball on the golf course. Living in fear of when you're gonna die isn't living.

 

[kgswiger]

We haven't really done spit about securing our borders, our ports, or any other point of entry. There's over 5,000 miles of border between the US and Canada, and it's as porous as a sieve.

But, with over 330 million people in the US, unless you live in or near a high probability target, you've got a better chance of getting hit by lightning. So, I feel safe as houses.

 

[Lapcat]

I think it's just a matter of time before several/multiple US cities are nuked either by dirty bombs, suitcase nukes....or via an attack by full-out nuclear missles (see Venezuela and Cuba's cooperation with Iran in order for that attack to occur).

Ask this question. Is there any other country in the world that has already been attacked on their soil by terrorists, and that KNOW terrorists are still trying or planning an attack or attacks that would be even more devastating, that does NOT control their own border but instead, allows terrorists to waltz across unnoticed, along with other illegal immigrants?

If so, I'm unaware of that nation.

And either way, it makes no sense to do what we're doing, which is to ignore the problem of that 'illegal border crossing' source of infiltration by our enemies. Of course, most on the left here will point to home-grown terrorists that already have been involved in plotting to attack the US. But that's a situation that we can't control OR predict ahead of time. At least with the border control, we could do something about it....if politicians only would.

 

[Number_58]

I feel extremely safe...if terrorists show up in my little corner of Missouri, I'm satisfied that me and mine will take down several of them before we fall. Bad thing...I doubt there will be 70 some virgins waiting for me. I'll probably end up getting lounge and lot lizards.

 

[kgswiger]

I think it's just a matter of time before several/multiple US cities are nuked either by dirty bombs, suitcase nukes....or via an attack by full-out nuclear missles (see Venezuela and Cuba's cooperation with Iran in order for that attack to occur).

Ask this question. Is there any other country in the world that has already been attacked on their soil by terrorists, and that KNOW terrorists are still trying or planning an attack or attacks that would be even more devastating, that does NOT control their own border but instead, allows terrorists to waltz across unnoticed, along with other illegal immigrants?

If so, I'm unaware of that nation.

And either way, it makes no sense to do what we're doing, which is to ignore the problem of that 'illegal border crossing' source of infiltration by our enemies. Of course, most on the left here will point to home-grown terrorists that already have been involved in plotting to attack the US. But that's a situation that we can't control OR predict ahead of time. At least with the border control, we could do something about it....if politicians only would.

Lapcat,

Not being a smartass here, how would you secure the borders? Remember, there's 102,514 miles of border to be patrolled. That includes the borders with Canada (5,525 miles), Mexico (1,989 miles), and the coastlines (95,000 miles).

 

[Old Ridge Runner]

I've been shot at, had the ship I served on blow up, been hit by a car, had a quaddruple by-pass and a heart attack. I'm sure not worried about a terrorist. I feel extremely safe.

 

[Doc]

I say "Extremely Safe," BUT...I would likely move that down to "Moderatly Safe," if I lived in New York, Washington, or another high-profile city.

Still, I think we are pretty safe....

 

[Doc]

"PREPARATION" for the results of a potential Terror Attack, may be where we are somewhat lacking.

That said, it all depends on the attack, what kind of attack it is, etc.

While 9/11 was horrific, the Citizens of New York came together quickly, and, all worked together to take care of one another, and, get out of the area.

 

[Dave]

I feel extremely safe...if terrorists show up in my little corner of Missouri, I'm satisfied that me and mine will take down several of them before we fall. Bad thing...I doubt there will be 70 some virgins waiting for me. I'll probably end up getting lounge and lot lizards.

Nice lol.

 

[Dave]

I say "Extremely Safe," BUT...I would likely move that down to "Moderatly Safe," if I lived in New York, Washington, or another high-profile city.

Still, I think we are pretty safe....

Yeah, location is definitely a factor.

 

[kgswiger]

Yeah, location is definitely a factor.

In the years following 9/11, I was always amazed when people on the Fray, who claimed to be from small towns scattered around the rural areas, would talk about how they feared they could be killed at any moment by a terrorist attack. Some perspective, people. You live in fricking Otter Creek. The Post Office, drug store, supermarket, and gas station are all 1 building. With 4 aisles. Yeah, you're right at the top of the terrorist hit list.

 

[Spamature]

Terrorism is overblown. We bomb the **** out of other countries and the people there carry on their with day to day lives.

I remember seeing video from Iraq right after shock and awe began and there were people on the freeway going to work at 6 am as usual. It's our leaders we have to worry about. The ones who would use a terrorist act to instill fear and panic. Most likely you don't think about it because its not being shoved in your face everyday like it was under the last admin.

 

[MaryAnne]

9/11 was of course a dark and memorable day in American history. Since then we've made many changes to our border controls, added specific functions of government for homeland security, and the people of this country have been perhaps "more on their toes" than in previous years. Personally, I don't think about terrorism in America much anymore, especially like I did back in 2001. Here I am thinking that it's back to the way it was pre 9/11 for me anyway.

That however doesn't mean we aren't at risk in our own country. There are a lot of people out there that despise us and want to kill us. Any kind of attack could happen anytime, but we can't live in fear and as citizens there isn't a whole hell of a lot we can do is there?

How do you feel TODAY about your safety?

Dave,I have never lived in fear of what might happen.Those things happen once in lifetime.I am really sick of the fear mongers who just want control and use fear as a weapon.

 

[Sodak]

I voted on this from the personal point of view and not as a member of the larger community.

I feel extremely safe and for these reasons.........

I live in a town of under 500.

Being retired, the extent of my contact with the outer world is an occasional trip to the store, PO, doctor's office.

I'm more likely to be struck by lightning standing on my front porch.

Now if I were still living in Chgo, my vote would be different. But even there, the odds of being attacked by a mugger in the subway would probably be higher than an attack by terrorists.

Would I be surprised if another attack occurred in this country? No. And that is mainly because there are so many ways an attack could be carried out and too few ways to protect against every conceivible possibility.

 

[Kevin B. Eaton]

voted extremely safe
I would feel safer if we brought our troops home to protect us here. patrol and protect mainly our waters and our land borders. place our(s) and corporate interests overseas second to safety and security at home.
Ron Paul in my opinion has the right approach to foreign relations and 'at home' defense.

 

[fairsheet]

I think statistically you're more likely to be struck by lightning than to be a victim of a terrorist attack.

My feelings are when it's your time to go, it's your time - whether it's by a terrorist attack, drunk driver, or errant golf ball on the golf course. Living in fear of when you're gonna die isn't living.

Hah Cerulean!....There's one little problem with that "odds of being struck by lightning" allusion, as it applies to all manner of things - being kilt by a terr'st, winning the lottery, playing for an NBA team...whatever. What's the problem?...Well, every time we make it, we're reminded of how good (so to speak) our odds of being struck by lightning actually ARE!

 

[Cicero]

Yeah, tell that to the victims of Major Nidal Hasan the terrorist that murdered so many at Fort Hood. Yet 9-11 happened during their life time and so did the Fort Hood terrorist based massacre. Of course for them that was the end of their lifetime.

Oh and then there was that enlightening moment when the Times Square bomber was set to murder a theater full of youngsters and then just before that when several bombers were going to explode something really bad in New York's subway system. All events happening within the lifetime of many . . . survivors. Meh, go figure. All those people worry about nothing at all.

 

[kgswiger]

Yeah, tell that to the victims of Major Nidal Hasan the terrorist that murdered so many at Fort Hood. Yet 9-11 happened during their life time and so did the Fort Hood terrorist based massacre. Of course for them that was the end of their lifetime.

Oh and then there was that enlightening moment when the Times Square bomber was set to murder a theater full of youngsters and then just before that when several bombers were going to explode something really bad in New York's subway system. All events happening within the lifetime of many . . . survivors. Meh, go figure. All those people worry about nothing at all.

You're equating one guy with a gun with a bunch of guys with airliners full of fuel? They're hardly in the same league.