Terrorist Threat

[Ants]

Thank goodness they have caught the apparent dry run.

There has been an increasing awareness to something happening soon.

Hopefully this is it and caught early, but I honestly think that a few more different packages might have made it through.

It now appears this was NOT a DRY run, explosive devices found at East Midlands and Dubai according to President Obama.

JFK suspicious package : not confirmed.

[Betty Boop]

Thank goodness they have caught the apparent dry run.

There has been an increasing awareness to something happening soon.

Hopefully this is it and caught early, but I honestly think that a few more different packages might have made it through.

It now appears this was NOT a DRY run, explosive devices found at East Midlands and Dubai according to President Obama.

JFK suspicious package : not confirmed.


Just in time for the mid term elections.

[lyonhibs]

Thank goodness they have caught the apparent dry run.

There has been an increasing awareness to something happening soon.

Hopefully this is it and caught early, but I honestly think that a few more different packages might have made it through.

It now appears this was NOT a DRY run, explosive devices found at East Midlands and Dubai according to President Obama.

JFK suspicious package : not confirmed.

Please, "not a dry run"??? Which devoted and genuinely dangerous terrorist organisation ever left a explosive package with a fuse long enough for the authorities to do anything about it?? Unless they did that whole IRA "phone the police and tell them there's a bomb in pubic dustbin X" thing.

I appreciate the need for airport security, and would rather it went too far insted of not far enough, but if I leave a suitCase full of teddy bears and a audibly, ticking clock, it could easily be designated as "suspicious" and merit the whole joint being shut down these days. Like I say, justifiably so these days, but still.

If you were a terrorist/terrorist organisation wanting to make a mark, why would you be dumping bombs in East Midlands airport, with London not 200 miles away??

[Woody1985]

Just in time for the mid term elections.

I knew there would be a post like this, didn't think it would be the first reply though!

[lyonhibs]

I knew there would be a post like this, didn't think it would be the first reply though!

I take your point, and I don't think Obama has wilfully lied for election purposes or any such conspiracy pish like that, but when the dust settles, do you REALLY think a practice run for a major terrorist threat was carried out at East Midlands airport??

[Pete]

I take your point, and I don't think Obama has wilfully lied for election purposes or any such conspiracy pish like that, but when the dust settles, do you REALLY think a practice run for a major terrorist threat was carried out at East Midlands airport??

The packages originated in Yemen and were bound for the US. Was East Midlands not just a connection?

[Woody1985]

I take your point, and I don't think Obama has wilfully lied for election purposes or any such conspiracy pish like that, but when the dust settles, do you REALLY think a practice run for a major terrorist threat was carried out at East Midlands airport??

Did you think you'd see terrorists driving through the doors at Glasgow airport. Whilst the chance of getting caught up in it is minimal I can see why people think it's simply used for government propaganda I think it's fair to say that the threat exists and as each day passes there's an increased chance of an attack.

If the attacks did happen it wouldn't be long before betty and the Like were claiming that THe government allowed it to happen or caused it.

Sorry for THe random upper case, stupid phone seems to have a bug that causes the upper and lower case to go funny!

[Beefster]

Please, "not a dry run"??? Which devoted and genuinely dangerous terrorist organisation ever left a explosive package with a fuse long enough for the authorities to do anything about it?? Unless they did that whole IRA "phone the police and tell them there's a bomb in pubic dustbin X" thing.

I appreciate the need for airport security, and would rather it went too far insted of not far enough, but if I leave a suitCase full of teddy bears and a audibly, ticking clock, it could easily be designated as "suspicious" and merit the whole joint being shut down these days. Like I say, justifiably so these days, but still.

If you were a terrorist/terrorist organisation wanting to make a mark, why would you be dumping bombs in East Midlands airport, with London not 200 miles away??

Because the package(s) were carried on a cargo plane and the terrorists had no idea, beyond the end destination, where the packages would go?

[Phil D. Rolls]

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!!

[Betty Boop]

Did you think you'd see terrorists driving through the doors at Glasgow airport. Whilst the chance of getting caught up in it is minimal I can see why people think it's simply used for government propaganda I think it's fair to say that the threat exists and as each day passes there's an increased chance of an attack.

If the attacks did happen it wouldn't be long before betty and the Like were claiming that THe government allowed it to happen or caused it.

Sorry for THe random upper case, stupid phone seems to have a bug that causes the upper and lower case to go funny!

Well I can't speak for the 'Like', however on Wednesday the Chairman of BA was all over the media, objecting to some of the pointless searches conducted in security queues, such as removing shoes, taking lap-tops from their cases, the liquids policy, etc. etc Now on Friday emerges the latest Terrorist alert, this along with the mid term elections on Tuesday, forgive me if I appear cynical. :greengrin

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/27/martin-broughton-airport-security-ba

[Woody1985]

Those searches were in relation to passengers. These were cargo planes.

It would seem logical to me that with increased security on passenger flights then you would look for a way around it. Perhaps another type of flight with less security.

Do you think the general public are even going to be remotely scared because of cargo flights?

I'd be willing to guess, and it is only a guess, but the fear of terrorism comes from being caught up in The event. Not paranoia about a plane blowing up in The sky where no commercial passengers exist.

[hibsdaft]

Just in time for the mid term elections.

for the benefit of who?

doesn't stack up.

you don't have to kid yourself violent Islamic extremism is a fantasy to oppose our government's actions in Iraq and Afghanistan BB. apart from anything else its counterproductive: these people stand for everything you hate (sexism, a kind of near-fascism, hatred, bigotry etc) and you should call them out for what they are. support those in the Yemen, Iran and elsewhere who risk their lives opposing them - people who you have a lot in common with.

[Betty Boop]

Those searches were in relation to passengers. These were cargo planes.

It would seem logical to me that with increased security on passenger flights then you would look for a way around it. Perhaps another type of flight with less security.

Do you think the general public are even going to be remotely scared because of cargo flights?

I'd be willing to guess, and it is only a guess, but the fear of terrorism comes from being caught up in The event. Not paranoia about a plane blowing up in The sky where no commercial passengers exist.

Ever watched 'The Power of Nightmares,the Rise of the Politics of Fear ' by Adam Curtis ?

[CropleyWasGod]

for the benefit of who?

doesn't stack up.

.

I think it can stand up.... "can" because I'm not convinced.

Obama was very quick to get on to the media, appearing controlled, decisive and "in charge". Those kind of statesmanlike qualities play well with electorates.

[Phil D. Rolls]

for the benefit of who?

doesn't stack up.

you don't have to kid yourself violent Islamic extremism is a fantasy to oppose our government's actions in Iraq and Afghanistan BB. apart from anything else its counterproductive: these people stand for everything you hate (sexism, a kind of near-fascism, hatred, bigotry etc) and you should call them out for what they are. support those in the Yemen, Iran and elsewhere who risk their lives opposing them - people who you have a lot in common with.

Do you believe everything you see on TV?

It is usually to the advantage of governments which are unpopular at home to point to an external threat which will unite voters behind them. See Thatcher re. the Falklands for example.

By the way, I've got some bad news about Santa Claus.

[Woody1985]

And we all know that the reason that old grannies etc aren't terrorists, they're only asked to go through these procedures to make it more equal across the demographics.

The modern threat is most likely to come from Islamists but where do you draw the line? Piss off everyone, only piss off followers of Islam, suspected Islamists or have little or no security which then increases the risk of terror attacks. It's not ideal but I think we're all going to have to live with security checks. There needs to be a happy medium which is what the ba guy is calling for.

You think the checks are there to keep us all in a state of fear of terrorism, how do you u quantify How effective that is? Personally I'm more worried that the plane mechanic hasn't been out on the peeve and forgot to tighten a nut a bit earlier in the day!

[Phil D. Rolls]

And we all know that the reason that old grannies etc aren't terrorists, they're only asked to go through these procedures to make it more equal across the demographics.

The modern threat is most likely to come from Islamists but where do you draw the line? Piss off everyone, only piss off followers of Islam, suspected Islamists or have little or no security which then increases the risk of terror attacks. It's not ideal but I think we're all going to have to live with security checks. There needs to be a happy medium which is what the ba guy is calling for.

You think the checks are there to keep us all in a state of fear of terrorism, how do you u quantify How effective that is? Personally I'm more worried that the plane mechanic hasn't been out on the peeve and forgot to tighten a nut a bit earlier in the day!

I think there has to be a happy medium, or else flying becomes too difficult and then the terrorists have won anyway. The delays caused by these checks must make flying time to London, for example, pretty much equal to the rail journey.

[Betty Boop]

The Chair of the transport select committee has just been on Sky news, she said that even more stringent security checks may have to be introduced at airports, in light of the latest threat. :rolleyes:

[Woody1985]

Just for cargo planes? I'd have thought that would be reasonable.

I'm not sure how many additional checks they could add to passengers.

[lapsedhibee]

The delays caused by these checks must make flying time to London, for example, pretty much equal to the rail journey.

Yeh, but only until people start hijacking trains!

[Betty Boop]

Just for cargo planes? I'd have thought that would be reasonable.

I'm not sure how many additional checks they could add to passengers.

No.

[Woody1985]

What additional measures were proposed or was it a statement simply saying they might have to?

Would you prefer them to say that everything is fine and that it's acceptable for THe occasional bunch of people to get blown up?

[hibsdaft]

Do you believe everything you see on TV?

It is usually to the advantage of governments which are unpopular at home to point to an external threat which will unite voters behind them. See Thatcher re. the Falklands for example.

By the way, I've got some bad news about Santa Claus.

this story plays into the hands of the hysterical right wing resurgence over there far more than it does Obama. maybe this story is designed for that purpose instead? i'm not saying its impossible, but the line taken on this thread so far doesn't really stack up.

i don't disagree that these stories will be manipulated to some degree by the politicians for their benefit btw.

[Phil D. Rolls]

this story plays into the hands of the hysterical right wing resurgence over there far more than it does Obama. maybe this story is designed for that purpose instead? i'm not saying its impossible, but the line taken on this thread so far doesn't really stack up.

i don't disagree that these stories will be manipulated to some degree by the politicians for their benefit btw.

I'm vaguely aware of the Tea Party, from what I can see they don't really need facts to get hysterical.

[khib70]

Just in time for the mid term elections.
Jeez, you really are a piece of work, aren't you?

Pathetic:yawn:

[Betty Boop]

Jeez, you really are a piece of work, aren't you?

Pathetic:yawn:

And you're a condescending erse ! :yawn: