Are you afraid of terrorism?
Discussion
This is PH after all so we do get the same "hard as nails" comments but there is no shame in being afraid. Do you think that the people who fought in WW2 were not afraid? Or those in London then who never knew if a bomb would land and kill them, were they not afraid?
Of course they were but the difference is that they got on with it, afraid but just the same as we are doing now. But for anyone to pretend that terrorism doesn't work and we are now more susceptible to attacks are deluded. Examples from all over the world prove it does and "statesmen" have been born in some of these terror groups.
Now it is far easier for groups to organise around the globe on the dark net.
Religion and tribalism have caused death for all time and we now do live differently as a result. Every mode of transport, we are checked, every significant venue we are checked. Every time they succeed in killing people we react and do something more to keep us safe.
I am sure the security services are doing everything legally they are allowed to do, but is it time we did more?
The SAS are now reported to have been given a list of 200 people that they are allowed to kill in the Middle East, British subjects that have gone to fight with ISIS, to stop them returning back to the UK. Already the do gooders are crying that this is state ex judicial murder and must stop. Why would anyone think it is not a good idea to kill bad guys before they kill us?
Of course they were but the difference is that they got on with it, afraid but just the same as we are doing now. But for anyone to pretend that terrorism doesn't work and we are now more susceptible to attacks are deluded. Examples from all over the world prove it does and "statesmen" have been born in some of these terror groups.
Now it is far easier for groups to organise around the globe on the dark net.
Religion and tribalism have caused death for all time and we now do live differently as a result. Every mode of transport, we are checked, every significant venue we are checked. Every time they succeed in killing people we react and do something more to keep us safe.
I am sure the security services are doing everything legally they are allowed to do, but is it time we did more?
The SAS are now reported to have been given a list of 200 people that they are allowed to kill in the Middle East, British subjects that have gone to fight with ISIS, to stop them returning back to the UK. Already the do gooders are crying that this is state ex judicial murder and must stop. Why would anyone think it is not a good idea to kill bad guys before they kill us?
skinnyman said:
I remember reading an article found in the depths of Google about how piss poor these terrorists really are. They claim they have thousands of "soldiers" throughout Europe, and we get a half arsed attempt at something every few years.
Either the threat is massively over hyped, or alot of work is being done behind the scenes by the intelligence agencies that we don't see.
I think both. Either the threat is massively over hyped, or alot of work is being done behind the scenes by the intelligence agencies that we don't see.
Heard something on the radio the other day and caught a security guy saying that there were currently about 3000 'persons of interest' (so to speak) that were under constant 24 hour observation in the UK. I think he also said that each 1 of these persons of interest would have 5 full time security/intelligence officers, 'observing them.'
I think the claims ISIS make about have thousands of soldiers throughout Europe is vastly over hyped these days, I'm sure like big car fan based websites they have thousands of keyboard warriors fighting their corner, but they certainly don't seem to be what they once were, or thought they were.
These days they mostly talk a good internet talk when it suits them and they have something to latch onto, but when they do have organised cells that are good at what they do its sickening and frightening the damage they can do, the Bataclan/Paris attacks springs to mind.
I hope something like that never happens here but with the right terrorist cells, planning etc I don't suppose its totally impossible? I'm just grateful of the excellent security/intelligence officers that we have.
Unfortunately the impact of these idiots on innocents lives goes beyond the immediate aftermath of an attack. As some have commented, every day life is interrupted through things such as enhanced security at airports. Other impacts are less visible, but far more intrusive, and can ultimately be just as deadly the initial terror attacks.
The American Skynet(original name!)program creates targets for American drones, and apparently has only a 0.008% false positive, ie f
k up rate. (Apologies, Grauniad link). It doesn't need to be said what the outcome of that false positive is when fed into a Reaper drone.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb...
The other sacrifices we all have to suffer are the erosion of our liberties (tin foil hat time)as the government are able to justify the interception and decryption of pretty much any communications they feel like. Obviously the security services do intercept and disrupt terror attacks more than we know, but one could argue it's at the cost of living in a free society. For me, it's that long term effect of turning us into an Orwellian society that scares me, rather than the actual attacks themselves.
The links below are in relation to some of the UK's current activities, there's not much written about them online as the MOD issued a notice to media outlets 'asking' them to refrain from reporting on such matters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullrun_(decryption_...
The American Skynet(original name!)program creates targets for American drones, and apparently has only a 0.008% false positive, ie f
k up rate. (Apologies, Grauniad link). It doesn't need to be said what the outcome of that false positive is when fed into a Reaper drone. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb...
The other sacrifices we all have to suffer are the erosion of our liberties (tin foil hat time)as the government are able to justify the interception and decryption of pretty much any communications they feel like. Obviously the security services do intercept and disrupt terror attacks more than we know, but one could argue it's at the cost of living in a free society. For me, it's that long term effect of turning us into an Orwellian society that scares me, rather than the actual attacks themselves.
The links below are in relation to some of the UK's current activities, there's not much written about them online as the MOD issued a notice to media outlets 'asking' them to refrain from reporting on such matters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullrun_(decryption_...
spaximus said:
This is PH after all so we do get the same "hard as nails" comments but there is no shame in being afraid. Do you think that the people who fought in WW2 were not afraid? Or those in London then who never knew if a bomb would land and kill them, were they not afraid?
Of course they were but the difference is that they got on with it, afraid but just the same as we are doing now. But for anyone to pretend that terrorism doesn't work and we are now more susceptible to attacks are deluded. Examples from all over the world prove it does and "statesmen" have been born in some of these terror groups.
Now it is far easier for groups to organise around the globe on the dark net.
Religion and tribalism have caused death for all time and we now do live differently as a result. Every mode of transport, we are checked, every significant venue we are checked. Every time they succeed in killing people we react and do something more to keep us safe.
I am sure the security services are doing everything legally they are allowed to do, but is it time we did more?
The SAS are now reported to have been given a list of 200 people that they are allowed to kill in the Middle East, British subjects that have gone to fight with ISIS, to stop them returning back to the UK. Already the do gooders are crying that this is state ex judicial murder and must stop. Why would anyone think it is not a good idea to kill bad guys before they kill us?
Of course they were but the difference is that they got on with it, afraid but just the same as we are doing now. But for anyone to pretend that terrorism doesn't work and we are now more susceptible to attacks are deluded. Examples from all over the world prove it does and "statesmen" have been born in some of these terror groups.
Now it is far easier for groups to organise around the globe on the dark net.
Religion and tribalism have caused death for all time and we now do live differently as a result. Every mode of transport, we are checked, every significant venue we are checked. Every time they succeed in killing people we react and do something more to keep us safe.
I am sure the security services are doing everything legally they are allowed to do, but is it time we did more?
The SAS are now reported to have been given a list of 200 people that they are allowed to kill in the Middle East, British subjects that have gone to fight with ISIS, to stop them returning back to the UK. Already the do gooders are crying that this is state ex judicial murder and must stop. Why would anyone think it is not a good idea to kill bad guys before they kill us?
Good post.
Those involved in combat are afraid. Fact. Those that are in the UK should not be afraid, but they should be aware and vigilant.
Yes it is time we (the security forces) did more.
Do you have a source for the SAS comment?
spaximus said:
Tiggsy said:
spaximus said:
As I said it will not change what I do, it never did in the 70's, but how many now would travel to Egypt? Tour operators are not flying there and the resorts are empty so terrorism has affected many and changed their mind set.
Every year - was there in Oct with the kids. Pool was empty and reef never looked better! Happy days!bmw535i said:
spaximus said:
This is PH after all so we do get the same "hard as nails" comments but there is no shame in being afraid. Do you think that the people who fought in WW2 were not afraid? Or those in London then who never knew if a bomb would land and kill them, were they not afraid?
Of course they were but the difference is that they got on with it, afraid but just the same as we are doing now. But for anyone to pretend that terrorism doesn't work and we are now more susceptible to attacks are deluded. Examples from all over the world prove it does and "statesmen" have been born in some of these terror groups.
Now it is far easier for groups to organise around the globe on the dark net.
Religion and tribalism have caused death for all time and we now do live differently as a result. Every mode of transport, we are checked, every significant venue we are checked. Every time they succeed in killing people we react and do something more to keep us safe.
I am sure the security services are doing everything legally they are allowed to do, but is it time we did more?
The SAS are now reported to have been given a list of 200 people that they are allowed to kill in the Middle East, British subjects that have gone to fight with ISIS, to stop them returning back to the UK. Already the do gooders are crying that this is state ex judicial murder and must stop. Why would anyone think it is not a good idea to kill bad guys before they kill us?
Of course they were but the difference is that they got on with it, afraid but just the same as we are doing now. But for anyone to pretend that terrorism doesn't work and we are now more susceptible to attacks are deluded. Examples from all over the world prove it does and "statesmen" have been born in some of these terror groups.
Now it is far easier for groups to organise around the globe on the dark net.
Religion and tribalism have caused death for all time and we now do live differently as a result. Every mode of transport, we are checked, every significant venue we are checked. Every time they succeed in killing people we react and do something more to keep us safe.
I am sure the security services are doing everything legally they are allowed to do, but is it time we did more?
The SAS are now reported to have been given a list of 200 people that they are allowed to kill in the Middle East, British subjects that have gone to fight with ISIS, to stop them returning back to the UK. Already the do gooders are crying that this is state ex judicial murder and must stop. Why would anyone think it is not a good idea to kill bad guys before they kill us?
Good post.
Those involved in combat are afraid. Fact. Those that are in the UK should not be afraid, but they should be aware and vigilant.
Yes it is time we (the security forces) did more.
Do you have a source for the SAS comment?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-eas...
SirSquidalot said:
Nope, you're more likely to be killed by a toaster than a terrorist 
Yes, I had a French made toaster that went off with a fking great bang every couple of years as the cable flex point shorted out. The cable got too short through attrition in the end. Lethal sodding thing...To answer the original question, no.
I was working at Network Rail and finished the job the week before the 7/7 bombings, if the work I was doing had gone on an extra week then I would have very likely been on the Circle Line either at Edgware Road or Liverpool Street at the time the bombs had gone off.
My girlfriend at the time walked past the IRA bin bomb at Victoria Station in 1991 just 15 mins before it went off.
Despite the above, the risk is tiny, I've been to far more dangerous countries and there are many much more likely bullets with my name on them in normal everyday life, best just to, as the saying goes, keep calm and carry on.
I was working at Network Rail and finished the job the week before the 7/7 bombings, if the work I was doing had gone on an extra week then I would have very likely been on the Circle Line either at Edgware Road or Liverpool Street at the time the bombs had gone off.
My girlfriend at the time walked past the IRA bin bomb at Victoria Station in 1991 just 15 mins before it went off.
Despite the above, the risk is tiny, I've been to far more dangerous countries and there are many much more likely bullets with my name on them in normal everyday life, best just to, as the saying goes, keep calm and carry on.
honestly I was more afraid before the most recent attack than after it. before the one that stood out in my mind was the 7/7 bombings which were quite deadly and scary to imagine something like that might happen. but now it seems the best the terrorists can do is give a guy a knife and send him running at one of the few places in london that has armed police patrolling it regularly? (parliament).
I mean, i read somewhere our security forces foil around 16 plots a year. which means by now the terrorists probably can't even get their hands on weapons, this is the best they can pull off? yeah I'd say we're winning this fight. plus as OP pointed out, far more risk in driving
I mean, i read somewhere our security forces foil around 16 plots a year. which means by now the terrorists probably can't even get their hands on weapons, this is the best they can pull off? yeah I'd say we're winning this fight. plus as OP pointed out, far more risk in driving
Mr GrimNasty said:
berlintaxi said:
Yeah, all those muslims are out to get you , evil people every last one of them...
http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/24/muslims-donate-over-...
As I said, you are a complete racist loon.
You think a raising a £few undoes the irrefutable fact that the vast majority of all unrest/terrorism in the world is perpetrated by Islamic extremists.http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/24/muslims-donate-over-...
As I said, you are a complete racist loon.
That won't change as long as you keep calling people racist and refuse to confront the truth.
The Islamic extremist death count site is well known so I won't re-link, but even the Wiki list of terrorist attacks killing >50 is dominated by Islamic extremists.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battles_and_...
The problem is not the here and now,it's the future.What we do now will affect the future in regards terrorism and muslim fundamentalism.
The West can go softly on legislation and immigration and hope for the best or crack down hard and disable the networks now,stop waiting to catch Mr Big as that doesn't work,catch the middle men and just get on with it.
Most terrorists or fundamentalists have previous form and are known to the authorities so not really hard to keep an eye on them.The problem is there are so many to keep an eye on and drag before the courts.
The West can go softly on legislation and immigration and hope for the best or crack down hard and disable the networks now,stop waiting to catch Mr Big as that doesn't work,catch the middle men and just get on with it.
Most terrorists or fundamentalists have previous form and are known to the authorities so not really hard to keep an eye on them.The problem is there are so many to keep an eye on and drag before the courts.
Tonsko said:
spaximus said:
Now it is far easier for groups to organise around the globe on the dark net.
Spoken like a true mail reader with no idea what it is or how it works. The so called 'dark net' is faltering. Have you any idea how hard it is to set something up, and more to the point, keep it running anonymously and properly so it can be found and used? It's non-trivial, particularly then factoring in the rigmarole of accessing it anonymously and properly. You don't just 'run tor'.Far easier to use WhatsApp, semaphor or signal.
Anyway, to answer the question, no not really.
I rail against the sec services, but i think they do do a pretty good job by and large, but the one thing they don't need is 'access to everything'. For one thing, they're (MI5) on record saying that they have to much data to sift through and there's a danger that they will miss the needle in the stack of needles.
I don't understand the need to insult me, but you then go on to explain how easier it is now to organise using social media etc. Pre internet and social media it was harder for terrorists, they had to meet, they don't now.
Regardless of what people say on here we have had our lives altered by terrorist acts, we shall never be the same again. Taking sensible precautions is the right thing.
Most bad guys are caught by the old fashioned methods: investigation and donkey work. More resources that way, and less on data hoovering and privacy rollback.
@caelite - why is there not more uproar? Because people don't care, think about it or just lazy.
Edited by Tonsko on Sunday 26th March 07:35
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