Terrorism question

[mypussykat]

I've wondered since 9-11 and the war on Iraq, why aren't there more domestic terrorist incidents, like snipers or car bombs? If the terrorists hate the US so much, why not hit closer to home? They've proven in suicide missions that they will die for the cause. And the Washington sniper case proved that you don't need a lot of brains to paralyze a nation in fear. I'm not trying to be flippant.

MPK

 

[beaver cleaner]

In reality, the threat probably isn't as great as is made out to be by Washington. After 9/11, it would have taken very little for Al Qaeda to have brought down the US, (a couple of car bombs, or movie theaters). It often makes me wonder about conspiracy theory regarding 9/11, but I lost a lot of friends in my business that day.

When they have struck it is an all out event, which seems to be to make a political statement rather than trying to bring about an end to their means.

 

[booboobear]

I've wondered since 9-11 and the war on Iraq, why aren't there more domestic terrorist incidents, like snipers or car bombs? If the terrorists hate the US so much, why not hit closer to home? They've proven in suicide missions that they will die for the cause. And the Washington sniper case proved that you don't need a lot of brains to paralyze a nation in fear. I'm not trying to be flippant.

MPK

Somebody who thinks exactly like me , how hard would it be for terrorists to get hold of dynamite and bomb a subway ,
derail a train etc . I've often asked myself why they don't or with the ease of getting guns why not just have 5 terrorists wipe out all the people in a church . I don't know why but I'm glad they don't.

 

[joebear]

The terrorists are not after the average person and setting off a bomb in a market. The terrorists hate the west and the way of life, market economy, democracy, and having infidels in muslim holy lands.

They are attemping to bring down western civilization by bring down key elements of western society. Thats why they attacked the World Trade Center twice, to disrupt the financial markets and cause chaos.

they have attempted to attack the white house, congress, airports, bridges to disrupt and bring the confidence down in the economy.

You know the adage when people do not think their money is safe, in a panic start withdrawing then soon the bank does not have the capital and whoevers money is left is not safe.

watch any documentary about 911 and see how much the Al Queda hates the west and how it does not conform to the Quran, according to their intpretation.

The Taleban was the most extreme in their intrepretation of the Quran and Al Queda took advantage of that.

 

[joebear]

In reality, the threat probably isn't as great as is made out to be by Washington. After 9/11, it would have taken very little for Al Qaeda to have brought down the US, (a couple of car bombs, or movie theaters).

car bombing and theaters would not have brought down the US.

this is comment is short sited as thats what exactly the intelligence community in the west had always believed that if terrorists attacks happened in the US, it would be car bombings, movie theaters.

You would have thought that after the CIA's involvment in Afghanistan and their help in driving out the Russians and the first World Trade Center bombing, they would have clued in what was driving terrorism.

CIA station chief, Milt Bearden, in the 80's would have clearly known the muslims and how they felt about the Russians and the west but he did a poor job of communicating that.

 

[joebear]

the intelligence community in the west could not think outside the box of conventionals wisdom of intelligence and counter-intelligence and were caught flat footed, in addition to their over reliance on electronic evesdropping and less on human resources.

 

[mypussykat]

What about bombing the nightclub in Bali? It was targetted at Australians and Americans. Why isn't there domestic bombings?

MPK

 

[papasmerf]

Could be the system is working and as reported people are being stopped.

 

[joebear]

why isn't there domestic bombings ? can't you read ?

however there were twarted attempts at massive bombings like the so called Millienium bombings that were stopped.

conventional theory is that the terrorists are not interested in small bombings in the US but more aimed at large gatherings Millenium parties, Superbowl, etc where there is sure to be massive media coverage.

 

[papasmerf]

It doesnt happen here because the nosey old lady living next door keeps calling the cops on them

Gobers mom is not that old.

Ok she is

 

[joebear]

I guess when you said terrorist I took it as meaning Al Queda.

There are numerous terrorists groups operating out there in cells in different countries that are not associateed with Al Queda and Osama Bin Laden.

These groups do not neccessarily subscribe to each others methods or idealogies of bringing down the infidels.

 

[feste]

What The Terrorists Want

Gwynne Dyer is an insightful commentator. You can read his articles on his website www.gwynnedyer.net .

Here's a recent one on the terrorists that may answer your question:

http://tinyurl.com/2u7tg

 

[Mr. K]

*Mr. K quickly types out his missives while looking both ways for terrorists, RCMP, CSIS, CIA, FBI, AT&F...*

It has long been suspected that there have been a number of terrorist attempts prior to 9/11 which were unsuccesful due to the excellent work done by LE on both sides of the border and the domestic intelligence community. Prior to 9/11 the prevading theory was no news is good news rather than panicing citizens by telling them how close things came.

After 9/11, and because of the circumstances, you can be damn sure the next time they stop a major attempt, we will hear all about it, so that they can justify the Homeland Security Act and all the money the US has been spending to make things safer.

In the 70's and 80's terrorist organizations were successful in Europe primarily because they had loyal supporters in each country, and the various countries didn't cooperate well with one another. The same is not true today. The European Union, Interpol, MI5, SIS and many other agencies provide maximum cooperation.