The terrorists have already won

[Dr. Mcbudstoke]

Hypothetical scenario: osama appears on national tv, publicly declaring that al-qaeda will not be performing any more attacks on airplanes. will anything change with regards to airport security?

it would be foolish for the tsa to believe such a claim by al-qaeda, so heightened security measures will still be in place.

a year passes with no terrorist attacks. two years... five years, then ten. think of millions spent on security in that time. think of the millions of legitimate travelers inconvenienced with security procedures - all for nothing.

the terrorists have already won, by making everyone paranoid and fearful. even if al-qaeds does nothing, we have no choice but to keep up this security theater, for the fear that something might happen sometime

 

[Robor]

I can't disagree with your post. That said, I've been to places that are far more 'paranoid' as far as security goes and I'm not talking about a plane or stadium or theme park. I'm talking about being patted, searched (bags/purses), and sometimes wanded going into the mall.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You are presuming that the security measures you have been inconvenienced by are the only measures being taken.

 

[mafia]

So you joined to steal my idea? http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=29175922&postcount=12

 

[Dr. Mcbudstoke]

You are presuming that the security measures you have been inconvenienced by are the only measures being taken.

any additional measures are also a waste of resources ($$$ and manpower), since in this hypothetical scenario al-qaeda will not be performing any more attacks.

 

[aphex]

any additional measures are also a waste of resources, since in this hypothetical scenario al-qaeda will not be performing any more attacks.

The terrorists goal is not to make us afraid they are going to kill us, its to actually kill us. In your hypothetical example, we won.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

any additional measures are also a waste of resources, since in this hypothetical scenario al-qaeda will not be performing any more attacks.

You are also assuming al qaeda is the only threat.

 

[Dr. Mcbudstoke]

So you joined to steal my idea? http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=29175922&postcount=12

i'm glad we agree on this topic. ^_^

 

[Robor]

The terrorists goal is not to make us afraid they are going to kill us, its to actually kill us. In your hypothetical example, we won.

Some say one of their goals was to cripple our economy. If that was indeed one of the goals looking at the $$$ being spent in security and the wars they have at least partially succeeded.

 

[Dr. Mcbudstoke]

The terrorists goal is not to make us afraid they are going to kill us, its to actually kill us. In your hypothetical example, we won.

i don't agree that the main goal of terrorism is to destroy lives (and property). there is psychological aspect to terrorism that you are overlooking - you can't spell terrorism without "terror".

 

[Dr. Mcbudstoke]

You are also assuming al qaeda is the only threat.

this is true. there is also domestic terrorism. however al-qaeda has the most resources and is the main player in the terrorism game.

 

[Jaskalas]

They've won by distracting us while we take away our own freedoms. Yes.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

A dead body after three days in the sun smells the same whether it was killed by a home grown or international terrorist. Point is, America tends to think that if we could just destroy al qaeda, we'd be safe again.

Truth is we've never been safe and if suffering an over analyzed, over dramatized, over digitized attack has finally stirred America to take security a little more seriously then, innocent deaths may have served a purpose.

 

[Zorba]

They've won by distracting us while we take away our own freedoms. Yes.

This

 

[theflyingpig]

The reason why we are failing is because we are the ones who are afraid, not the terrorists. It is because of foolish liberals that we will never do what is necessary to win this war. Instead it will continue for decades to come. In order to win we must destroy the terrorists homes and slaughter them without mercy. We must make them understand the true nature of terror. Everyone knows this.

 

[glenn1]

[conservative]Heads: we get to kill some brown folks. Tails: the Muslims kill some folks from blue state places like NYC or Washington DC. Either way, it's a win-win. [/conservative]

 

[Zebo]

They didn't win shit. Just like "Palestinians" every year they lose more and get poorer the terrorists of the world have less and less quarter. Fundi islam as a whole is getting the screws tightened on her. All it will take is those dipshits shooting thier load off early, like getting a hold of beloved patriot nukes or something and total war <wiki this> will be upon us, a war they can't win.

 

[Zebo]

You realize they never one a single battle against us, right? And that money is a construct a piece of paper? What really matters is can they conquer the most advanced civilizations in the world. Not a prayer in hell. You think it would be prudent to drop airport security or something?

 

[Venix]

al-Qaeda's stated objective is to eliminate Western interference and influence in Muslim lands (among other things). Exactly how does overbearing and wasteful airport security in the US realize that goal?

 

[Jaskalas]

You realize they never one a single battle against us, right? And that money is a construct a piece of paper? What really matters is can they conquer the most advanced civilizations in the world. Not a prayer in hell. You think it would be prudent to drop airport security or something?

You don't think great civilizations fall from within?

 

[JEDIYoda]

The reason why we are failing is because we are the ones who are afraid, not the terrorists. It is because of foolish liberals that we will never do what is necessary to win this war. Instead it will continue for decades to come. In order to win we must destroy the terrorists homes and slaughter them without mercy. We must make them understand the true nature of terror. Everyone knows this.

I agree totally it was the foolish Republicans..oops I mean conservatives who handed us liberals this no win situation...

 

[Craig234]

Hypothetical scenario: osama appears on national tv, publicly declaring that al-qaeda will not be performing any more attacks on airplanes. will anything change with regards to airport security?

it would be foolish for the tsa to believe such a claim by al-qaeda, so heightened security measures will still be in place.

a year passes with no terrorist attacks. two years... five years, then ten. think of millions spent on security in that time. think of the millions of legitimate travelers inconvenienced with security procedures - all for nothing.

the terrorists have already won, by making everyone paranoid and fearful. even if al-qaeds does nothing, we have no choice but to keep up this security theater, for the fear that something might happen sometime

Terrorism causing airport security isn't terrorists winning.

Terrorism electing right-wing crazies, creating cover for broader civil rights reduction etc., that's bad.

 

[StageLeft]

Well another couple failed attacks (since it doesn't seem to matter if they succeed or not) and the only way to get on a plane will be naked after being hosed down, then put under general anesthetic, and stacked in a crate in the cargo bay.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Hypothetical scenario: osama appears on national tv, publicly declaring that al-qaeda will not be performing any more attacks on airplanes. will anything change with regards to airport security?

it would be foolish for the tsa to believe such a claim by al-qaeda, so heightened security measures will still be in place.

a year passes with no terrorist attacks. two years... five years, then ten. think of millions spent on security in that time. think of the millions of legitimate travelers inconvenienced with security procedures - all for nothing.

the terrorists have already won, by making everyone paranoid and fearful. even if al-qaeds does nothing, we have no choice but to keep up this security theater, for the fear that something might happen sometime

Who cares what that Ass-Wipe sez? Or promises?

When we find him --- and we will --- his remains will be subsequently found scattered across a 5 square mile area.

Airport security has changed forever in this country. As times and technology evolve persons taking to the air may find security less intrusive but heightened awareness will always remain, primarily because of the crap-tacular nature of airline disasters in spreading fear in the populace.

Let's face it. The country has more to logically fear from a return to power by the laissez faire supply-side NeanderCons who nearly took the entire World down with their insanity.




--

 

[Carmen813]

The reason why we are failing is because we are the ones who are afraid, not the terrorists. It is because of foolish liberals that we will never do what is necessary to win this war. Instead it will continue for decades to come. In order to win we must destroy the terrorists homes and slaughter them without mercy. We must make them understand the true nature of terror. Everyone knows this.

Just like in Vietnam right? That worked out well.