My fears...

[TripleJ]

My first fear is about how organised the attack was. Years and years of planning would have been involved. This raises the thought that surely they would have thought how America would react, and they must be in the proccess of planning and implementing further attacks.

My other fear is that this will turn from punishment to revenge that will only continue and inflame the hatred of the US. If the punishment is misguided and extensive, Osama Bin Laden and co. will just turn to their followers and say "See, I told you they are evil!" And the cycle continues. Terrorism will not be quashed, but increase.

I also have a concern that Osama Bin Laden is not the actual mastermind. Apparently, some of the suspects were seen talking to Iraqi intelligence. Although Bin Laden still does need to be brought to justice.

 

[MikeO]

<< Years and years of planning would have been involved. This raises the thought that surely they would have thought how America would react, and they must be in the proccess of planning and implementing further attacks.. >>



Yep... I would be damn suprised if they would have just said "well, let's hit them now and let's see what happens, ok?".

If they're not complete morons, they've thought different scenarios what will happen and I'm sure they're prepared...

 

[Wingznut]

<< I also have a concern that Osama Bin Laden is not the actual mastermind. Apparently, some of the suspects were seen talking to Iraqi intelligence. Although Bin Laden still does need to be brought to justice. >>

This is my biggest concern, too.

 

[rudder]

My biggest concern is that we won't develop alternative fuels within the next ten years. And that our eceonmy will continue to rely on the middle east. Let's develop more fuel economic cars, maybe a corn based fuel until hydrogen becomes mainstream, then get our asses out of the middle east once and for all. Then if they ever fVck with us again we can really whoop some ass without having to worry about stepping on anyones toes.

 

[thebestMAX]

also have a concern that Osama Bin Laden is not the actual mastermind. Apparently, some of the suspects were seen talking to Iraqi intelligence. Although Bin Laden still does need to be brought to justice. >>

I agree and thought of this about the second day. Dont these people usually come forward and brag about what they have done? Osalami even denies he was involved. Maybe this suceeded beyond their wildest dreams and they are afraid of World retaliation. Curiouser and curiouser

 

[LAUST]

I also have a concern that Osama Bin Laden is not the actual mastermind. Apparently, some of the suspects were seen talking to Iraqi intelligence. Although Bin Laden still does need to be brought to justice.

Totally, Osama has a lot of money and all but Saddam is the one with the REAL pull power and money, I think he is behind this FAR more. There was a document I read recently called "Saddam's Secret War" but you read it and it really show's he's still a prime suspect.

 

[b0mbrman]

Bah. Too many signs point to UBL's involvement...if he's involved, he deserves to be punished regardless of whether or not he was the mastermind.

 

[TripleJ]

thebestMAX, maybe that was the plan. Osama is the prime suspect, so Saddam gets off scott free.

 

[Bitek]

<< My biggest concern is that we won't develop alternative fuels within the next ten years. And that our eceonmy will continue to rely on the middle east. Let's develop more fuel economic cars, maybe a corn based fuel until hydrogen becomes mainstream, then get our asses out of the middle east once and for all. >>



Agreed, I worked in a lab in college that was trying to develop cellulose enzyme systems to break down waste plant biomass (cellulose) into its constituent sugars, which could then be fermented (like alcohol) to produce clean-burning ethanol very cheaply, like 40 cents a gallon, (very expensive now, $3-4 a gallon). (had the benefit of a balanced carbon cycle to also reduce global warming) but goverment and private grants for developing alt. fuels are severely underfunded.

We must find a way to stop pumping billions of dollars a year into this troublesome little part of the world, and let them essentally hold us by the balls with thier resources ( see gas-oil crisis of late 70's)

 

[LAUST]

<< My biggest concern is that we won't develop alternative fuels within the next ten years. And that our eceonmy will continue to rely on the middle east. Let's develop more fuel economic cars, maybe a corn based fuel until hydrogen becomes mainstream, then get our asses out of the middle east once and for all. Then if they ever fVck with us again we can really whoop some ass without having to worry about stepping on anyones toes. >>


Ethanol, I love the stuff, good octaine, Burns cleaner and cooler also, and can really be made cheap, all the expense talk was the oil company's not wanting that to pull from their pockets, E85 vehicles are already rolling out of Ford and GM plants as we speak.

 

[StageLeft]

I can't wait for alternative fuel types & more efficient vehicles. Until people stop driving SUVS and are willing to drive lower-powered vehicles I dunno what we can do.

 

[TripleJ]

Too right. Smaller cars are still safe!

 

[LAUST]

One of the College's in Nebraska converted a LS1 to a E85 vehicle, it's called the "CornVette" Anyway it runs on E85 and it went from the Stock 330HP to just over 400

 

[Oalex]

I posted this elsewhere it has the some questions in common with this tread:



<< What did the terrorist want (apart from the horrible distruction and mass murder)? Taking into consideration, the following: Some of the pilots are said to have been in the US for 8 years (FBI), so they are very patient, very deciplind: no braging, no speeding ticket to compromise the plan, no leackages (were able to evade the FBI, CIA, at least we belive so) on the plan. A 95% success rate (I take away -5% for the pitts. crash, wether it crash or was shot down, definitly was not the initial plan). So in short a "master plan", with a lot of time, money and lives invested.
I'm not saying they should have left a note saying "WE WANT YOU TO STOP THIS or THAT", but I really want to hear what the colprits will say when and if aprehended. Ofcourse it depends on who did it and until Bush stops using the word Suspect, I have the right to list other options and their motives. (most are very far fetched and hilarious, but I just tried to least every thing that comes to my mind). I know its the worst time, but try to find some humor in it.

Osama (This is the one that I can't really guess. I know its an "I hate you", but the exact reason? and why does he deny it?)
Palestine (stop supporting Israel)
Israel (kick some arab butt for me, also buysome time while we bulldose those palestines once and for all, without any one looking)
China (communism rulez)
Russia (fooled you, we're still on-line)
FBI (life is doll, we want to show you how fast we can wrap a case up, increas PR.)
US millitary (where bored and also you have been cutting our expenses, also some real life training will only help al these new recruits)
CNN (we what some exciting video shots and hot news, F-u Holywood)
Iraq (and you tought you won)
Japan (we NEVER forget)
Vietnam (same as Japan)
LA (F-u East coast, in memory of 2pac)
Bush (I want more support)
Republicans (Bush, we want to see you get out of this one, hehehe)
Rail and road transport (to hell with airlines, we want our customers back)
And so on and so on....

To answer my question (what do they want?) we can take a look at what effect it has and will have on the long run (and don't tell me that the ppl. who did this, afther such planning did not take ANY of the current effects into consideration).

Current:
US Economy (a little on the down side)
Freedom (more security less freedom)
News (hotter than ever)
Terrorist (more WANTED than ever)
People (sad)
US Govt. (high unity and support)
Israel (an almost blind eye from the rest of the world, at least for a while)
International comunity (A united anti-terrorist objective)

In the future:
Higher security (again less freedom)
Terrorist (SOS: "Shot On Sight" by all other parties)
Bush (more or less support: depending on how he wraps this up) same goes for FBI and the US Govt.
Most part of the International comunity (same as above)
NY tuorism (lower)
Insurance (higher rates if you want the "in-case-of-a-terrorist-act" clause included)
Immigration (tighter)
Millitary/FBI/CIA (definitly an APROVED higher budget next year)
US international policies (this has be argued here for a while, yet I'm not sure of what will happen to that)

I think you don't have to have an IQ of 200 to foresee those, so the evildoers definitly did (especialy taking into consideration that they planed this for years and have been considering those for more time that most of us).

Also there was a question an CNN yesterday that I find interesting and wonder what you think, "did these ppl. with their Master plan take the same care in covering up their tracks?" (the arabic flight manual comes to mind here) I'm not asking if they did it well or not.
>>

 

[burnedout]

We must find a way to stop pumping billions of dollars a year into this troublesome little part of the world, and let them essentally hold us by the balls with thier resources ( see gas-oil crisis of late 70's)

Totally concur. 60 percent of our petroleum needs are imported. Although with conservation, we could probably bring that down to about 20 percent. Perhaps even more if the SUV owners weren't so bent on road domination

A strategic analyst once told me the intent wasn't to pump the wells in Texas and Alaska dry. The idea was to use as much Middle East oil as possible. He projected one of two scenarios. 1.) An alternative energy source would be found. or 2.) The oil fields over there would run out. Either way, we would tell them where to stick it.

This gentleman also went on state much more. Part of the problem with implementing alternative sources, he said, was the huge ripple effect it would have on the economy. There are literally millions of jobs tied to petroleum. From exploration to refining to transport to retail. Alternative liquid fuel would be a more viable solution as fewer jobs would be lost.

Some strategists fear another huge impact if affordable alternatives for the internal combustion engine were developed for personal transportation.

It's all about money.

 

[Russ]

<< Dont these people usually come forward and brag about what they have done? Osalami even denies he was involved. >>



Max,

I thought long and hard about that question. I mean, where is his claim to fame? The bragging that invariably follows, in an effort to garner the hero worship that these whackos seek?

Then it occurred to me. He knew that the consequences would be his death and through that death, his martyrdom. If he goes to his grave denying the attack, the radical element will believe in his innocence, and thus his stature as a martyr is elevated to a much higher level.

But, I would also not be surprised to find that he was merely the tool and the attack was orchestrated by that tin pot Iraqi dictator. His hatred for the United States exceeds even Bin Laden's.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Elita1]

I too have been concerned that Ben Laden isn't the only one involved, or may have little involvement at all.
I know it is an infinitely difficult task but I do hope that they find(beyond a doubt) who did it all.

 

[Amused]

<< also have a concern that Osama Bin Laden is not the actual mastermind. Apparently, some of the suspects were seen talking to Iraqi intelligence. Although Bin Laden still does need to be brought to justice. >>

I agree and thought of this about the second day. Dont these people usually come forward and brag about what they have done? Osalami even denies he was involved. Maybe this suceeded beyond their wildest dreams and they are afraid of World retaliation. Curiouser and curiouser >>



Bin Laden has never publically claimed responsibility for any terrorist action he's taken.

 

[fastz28]

If we can think of this possibility, don't you think the gov't intelligent agency can also? Maybe the gov't wants you and the rest of the world to believe that the US is targeting UBL while secretly investigating Iraq and hit them when they are not prepared?

 

[thebestMAX]

<<Bin Laden has never publically claimed responsibility for any terrorist action he's taken. >>

Is this true? I dont know either way.

An interesting point.

RUSS-

An interesting take on the situation. There are SOOOO many possible scenarios. Lets hope if that is his plan he suceeds and become a martyr very soon. I dont think it will make very much difference in how his followers peceive him, they will continue with or without him.

I too think I smell a rat in the form of a certain individual whoses initials are Saddam Hussein.

 

[Russ]

AmusedOne,

This is the first time he has ever publicly denied involvement. In the past he has always let the world assume that it was his doing which, of course, amounts to the same thing as taking credit.

Russ, NCNE

 

Saddam had his greasy hands in this somehow. He was pretty pissed off when George Sr. used Baghdad as target practice back in 91.

 

[HowardStern]

<< My biggest concern is that we won't develop alternative fuels within the next ten years. And that our eceonmy will continue to rely on the middle east. Let's develop more fuel economic cars, maybe a corn based fuel >>



Like Methanol or Ethanol (I forget which). I think this is a sound idea and have been advocating it for years. It's been done before and I think some country in South America does it.

 

[Pentbomb]

In response to the person who asked about why terrorists didn't take credit for their actions:
This is a good point, and I wonder why it hasn't been brought up more often in the media.

The reason is that terrorism has changed. Ideology has been replaced with religious fanaticism as the driving force, and the self-imposed constraints that had limited violence is now gone. Large scale indiscriminate violence will now be the norm.

Convetional terrorism in parts of western Europe and the Middle East still have groups taking credit.