Posted on 10/10/2005 9:37:16 AM PDT by smartin
ARLINGTON, Va. - The man with the video camera might take the subway, hoping that police who check passengers' bags won't notice that this particular piece of electronics actually is rigged with explosives.
The second bomber might be lurking outside the nearest subway station, waiting for police and paramedics to respond to the underground disaster - and waiting for his chance to rush in and make it even worse.
In the new age of the suicide bomber, hypothetical scenarios abound. When officials on Thursday disclosed a potential threat to the New York City transit system, possibly featuring baby strollers ready to blow, they both highlighted the ongoing terrorist menace and showed how unpredictable the source of that menace might be.
The July 7 bombings of three subway trains and a bus in London underscored the danger to the West, and the public has been warned to look out for people doing patently suspicious things, such as wearing bulky clothing in warm weather. Previous attacks aimed at symbolic targets also have made many particularly vigilant in places that seem obviously at risk.
But as Thursday's alert showed, the public needs to be watchful of other things, too - bulky clothing, after all, will be less odd as the weather turns. And though the recent warning focused on the transit system, there are other possible targets.
Suicide bombers in the United States might melt into any crowd, or hide their bombs in unusual containers, or strike at unexpected targets, judging from the views of experts and the circumstances of past suicide bombings.
(Excerpt) Read more at stamfordadvocate.com ...
Isn't that like the saying, "Shoot 'em all and let God sort 'em out!"
Check all Arabs or Arabs look-a-likes.
That's a bit subjective and radical.
So would be blowing up our citizens at will. I prefer to be preventive than reactive.
But this limited practice would not catch the Timothy McVeys, Terry Andersons, or Unabombers of the world.
Or the OU student
I agree it is subjective and radical.
All people entering the country on a visa should have the invisible word "ON VISA" sprayed on the back of the neck, both cheeks, forehead, both hands and the tops of both feet.
The invisible ink is indelible for the period of time the person is allowed to remain in country with six months added for safety.
The ink is only visible under illumination by a special light.
This method would be much less subjective. (I'm only kidding...I think...)
You have to play the odds.
Now this would be an interesting practice. :-)
But then we would miss the simple student bomber from OU! (Sarc)
Or the John Muhammads or Lee Malvos.
Agreed. See post #10.
Turds with hair.
Another good point.
But these guys were only shooting at us not blowing us up. But it would have been good to catch them before they aimed.
The prison "religious recruiters" are churning them out by the thousands.
There's no real definitive "profile" any more, unfortunately....:-\
[well, except for an obvious one of which we're not allowed to speak, lest we be considered non-PC and religiously intolerant]
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