[Vanessa]

I don't know what's going on with the world. It's like people are going crazy.

[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.

[rubymoo]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I don't know what's going on with the world. It's like people are going crazy.

I know....it's all kicking off, and I fear it's going to get worse.

[arista]

[Toy Soldier]

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.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by rubymoo

I know....it's all kicking off, and I fear it's going to get worse.

Its no different to how it ever was. The same crap is going on that has always been going on - the only difference is that in the age of the digital tabloid and social media, you hear about it more. It used to be easy to be oblivious to this sort of thing, now its impossible.

[rubymoo]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Its no different to how it ever was. The same crap is going on that has always been going on - the only difference is that in the age of the digital tabloid and social media, you hear about it more. It used to be easy to be oblivious to this sort of thing, now its impossible.

I know what you're saying, we are more informed now than ever before, the problem with me is i'm a thinker, my brain goes into over drive, and it doesn't help having children to worry about!

I do believe though that this isn't the end of it, and if Cameron does send in troops then the **** will hit the fan.

Terrorists aim to cause terror and even if that means making people think twice about that holiday abroad or stopping people visiting certain areas then their job is done. Sad but true.

[arista]

[This is the man charged with
murdering great-grandmother Palmira Silva, who was brutally beheaded in a machete attack in her garden.
Nicholas Salvador, 25, is unemployed and was staying with a friend a few doors from the 82-year-old widow in Edmonton,
North London.
CCTV has emerged of Mr Salvador's movements two hours before the murder,
which shows him eating a quarter-pounder burger and an egg in a nearby cafe
before apparently walking out without paying.]

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz3CWyqsPng


The killer
goes to court today

[arista]

[Tributes: Tributes gathered outside one
of the London snack bars which had been run by the 82-year-old]

[arista]

on the left the 82 year old in Italy on a break.
on the upper right
younger her with her late husband.


Middle the killer

[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.

[lostalex]

this seems like just a crazy person. not much to say about it.

[Toy Soldier]

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

[Toy Soldier]

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 .

[Kizzy]

I can't see the relevance of your comparisons tbh, nobody is suggesting you live in a state of perpetual fear at all and listening to your rant I feel you're more affected than you like to admit.
If you worked in B&Q and someone bought several boxes of 6in nails and nothing else.

If you worked in a hairdressing suppliers and someone bought copious amounts of hydrogen peroxide and nothing else.

If you worked in an airport and someone was taking pictures of the entrance/exit points or security cameras.

Being aware is not the same as being fearful.

[arista]

From ITV1 London Local News

The Unemployed 25 year old killer
refused to confirm his name
broke down in tears.


4 Police men were around him at all times.


He is next at the Old Bailey Courts
this tuesday