>>How successful is Israel? Do you have any idea how many bombings are prevented? Last estimate I heard is that fewer than 5% of planned attacks actually occur. <<
How many bombings have we prevented in the last 20 years? How many have the Europeans prevented? It doesn't matter how many bombings you prevent, all it takes is one happening. WTC 93/911 were not the first times that a terrorist attack was ever planned here.
>>However, most Muslims support the concept of suicide bombings, to a greater or lesser extent. Certainly, they are not particularly vocal in their condemnation of attacks. <<
Actually to the average muslim, suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism are viewed much like Americans view their own home-grown terrorism. Did most Americans support McVeigh?
>>There aren't any slepper cells here? Really? And you know this how? If you believe that for one second, we're in bigger trouble than I thought. If you truly believe that the problem is less severe here, please remember that 9/11 happened here. Almost 3000 people lost their lives. 7/7 happened in Britain. Huge difference.<<
What percent of this country is composed of muslims? It is about 4%. What percentage of London is composed of muslims? Over 10%. A very large minority of Europe is muslim. Muslims in this country are very moderate, possibly more moderate than anywhere else on Earth. Muslims in Europe can be very radical. How many muslims in this country publicly declare their support for jihadism? None. Many in Europe do. While 911 did happen here, where did they plan 911? Not here, but in a sleeper cell in Germany. Why has there not been another terrorist attack here since 911, but there have been attacks in Europe? Because this country is fortified and much harder for extremists to sneak into. There are few if any radicals who live here (whom in europe they often are european citizens and thus harder to monitor and jail), so it is harder to carry out attacks. However since so many live in Europe, there is no need to sneak into their countries. Did you know that you can drive a car from Iraq to Europe in less than 2 days. We still have two great oceans that protect us. So no, we don't have many sleeper cells in this country.
"Actually to the average muslim, suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism are viewed much like Americans view their own homegrown terrorism. Did most Americans support McVeigh?"That's not accurate at all. Just this morning on FR there was a report about suicide bombings. They do NOT look on it as we look upon McVeigh. That is just plain incorrect. I suggest that you look at public opinion polls taken throughout the Arab world.
Again...neither you nor I know the number of terror cells in the US, but for us to proceed on the basis that aren't any is dangerous and shortsighted. Read Steve Emerson and Daniel Pipes' writings...I think we can agree that they are probably the preeminent authorities on terrorism in this country. Both agree that the likelihood that there are terror cells in the US is very high, and I would agree with that assessment simply because it stands to reason.
The one thing that 9/11 taught us is that the world is a much smaller place than it used to be and gaining access to this country is not difficult. I live in San Diego...people cross into the US illegally every single day by the thousands.