[user104658]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

If this beheading had happened at any other time, other than a RED ALERT for terrorism, I'm sure a lot more people would not think it's terrorism.

But that is exactly my point. People are seeing ghosts in every window, because someone's told them that the castle is haunted. It's the whole purpose of terrorism - to make people fear attack. To see threats and danger at every turn when in reality the chances of being directly affected by such an attack are incredibly low.

I'm not being naive or saying that terrorist attacks don't happen. I'm just saying that it's frankly bizarre that news sources have to point out, in cases like this, that it's "probably not related to the terrorism alert level". That it has to be, pointed out that it's highly unlikely for there to have been a complex, multi-layer terrorist cell plot to murder an old lady and some cats.

This is continuing and perpetuating an illusion of constant danger where there is (effectively) none. You are more likely to crash your car and die driving home, or suffer from random cardiac failure right this very second, than you are to be killed or injured in a terrorist attack. "red alert" or not.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

But that is exactly my point. People are seeing ghosts in every window, because someone's told them that the castle is haunted. It's the whole purpose of terrorism - to make people fear attack. To see threats and danger at every turn when in reality the chances of being directly affected by such an attack are incredibly low.

I'm not being naive or saying that terrorist attacks don't happen. I'm just saying that it's frankly bizarre that news sources have to point out, in cases like this, that it's "probably not related to the terrorism alert level". That it has to be, pointed out that it's highly unlikely for there to have been a complex, multi-layer terrorist cell plot to murder an old lady and some cats.

This is continuing and perpetuating an illusion of constant danger where there is (effectively) none. You are more likely to crash your car and die driving home, or suffer from random cardiac failure right this very second, than you are to be killed or injured in a terrorist attack. "red alert" or not.

It's not a case of being directly affected, it's being indirectly affected too...
The fear nationally would grow if there was another significant attack, we all have a responsibility as citizens to maintain a safe environment for ourselves and others don't we?
I live in Leeds a large city which has from time to time been named as the target by terror organisations so we have been used to these requests for vigilance for years, it doesn't impact negatively on my life nor do I feel in constant fear, the saying is to be forewarned is to be four armed, no good ever came of an I'm alright jack attitude.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

no good ever came of an I'm alright jack attitude.

That's not even close to what I was getting at, my point is that a disproportionate level fear disrupting daily thought processes is the main goal of terrorism and we play right into their hands via the media and paranoid word of mouth. But I dont think you get it at all, so I'm just going to leave it. Enjoy living in constant vigilance.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

That's not even close to what I was getting at, my point is that a disproportionate level fear disrupting daily thought processes is the main goal of terrorism and we play right into their hands via the media and paranoid word of mouth. But I dont think you get it at all, so I'm just going to leave it. Enjoy living in constant vigilance.

I understand you're view as you've described it, you don't feel you'll ever be be personally affected (and I hope your not) therefore you don't feel the need for counter terrorism and preparedness measures.
The main goal of terrorists is to cause maximum damage and loss of life during an incident, do I feel the public could and should have a part to play in preventing such incidents? Yes.
Enjoy living like a not so wise monkey TS.

It's very different now to terrorism was years ago, when did you first hear of the term 'suicide bomber'? That changed everything.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I understand you're view as you've described it, you don't feel you'll ever be be personally affected (and I hope your not) therefore you don't feel the need for counter terrorism and preparedness measures.

Incorrect.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Incorrect.

I used the wrong your... the rest is correct

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I used the wrong your... the rest is correct

It isn't. I don't think I'm any more or less likely to be affected by a terrorist attack than anyone else - I just know that the likelihood of any person, individually, being killed in a terrorist attack is miniscule. The likelihood of SOMEONE being killed is high. And because of that, people go down the same old path of failing to accurately understand risk statistics. I *might* be blown up by a terrorist. It is *very very very very very unlikely*. Therefore, I refuse to change how I live my life, or to live my life in fear, based on a miniscule risk. That is exactly the purpose of terrorism and the more people play into it, the more terrorism "works", and following that, the more incentive there is to commit acts of terrorism.


The reason I don't see the need to follow hyperbolic anti-terrorism advice or to see terror spooks in every dark corner (i.e. violent story in press = MUST BE TERRORISTSTSTSTSTSTS!!) is really simple. It's the same reason that I don't walk down the street wrapped in a kevlar suit fearing that I might be attacked by a vicious dog. It's the same reason that whilst I wear a helmet for cycling - I don't wear one every time I go out for a walk that will involve crossing a road for fear that I'll be hit by a car.

I *might* be attacked by a vicious dog one day.
I won't wear a kevlar suit or live in fear of vicious dogs.

I *might* be hit by a car one day.
I won't walk around wearing a helmet or live in fear of cars.

I *might* be blown up by terrorists.
I won't fear abandonned plastic bags or live in fear of terrorism.


The only difference is that I'm far MORE likely to be attacked by a dog or hit by a car than I am to be killed as the result of terrorism .