Terrorism and a new way of life

[nadinbrzezinski]

Ok, ok, many of us, yes that includes me, make fun of the terra alert

I make fun of it since that color coded system is used for keeping people afraid, but a fact of life is that we are now living in the age of Sacred Terror. There are things that people need to do on a regular basis and not becuase they are afraid but becuae they are done in any country where there is a threat of terrorism. It does nto matter whether this terra is locally grown (our Right Wing folks), or of foreign origin.

Now the problem is your government has not told you what to do... becuase if yuo nkow what to do the fear factor goes radically down.

1.- Pay attention to your surroundings (yes they have told us this, so I will add what you are looking for)

A.- People doing strange things, or that don't belong. I know in public transportation this is a hard one to do... and this could very easily lead to racial stereotyping. But if you see somebody I don't know tryng to park in front of a large bulding, and waiting for the parking spot even when there are spots available, your antena should be up. If you see somebody trying to stuff a package into oh I don't know the suport beam, what you are looking for will be clear with time, and no you are not looknig for the obvious insert dark skinned person here. You are looking for things that are out of the ordinnary and they are so particular to the situation it is not even funny.

b.- Most often than not those who will leave things behind belong... this is what is so maddening about this. So you are indeed looking for an abandoned package. Yes peoople joke but those are school books... realize a backpack could have C-4 and a remote denotator. It does not take much C-4 to vaporize the rear of a buss, and if you add bearings to it, you increase the lethality. Don't underestimate this.

c.- You could be the target so if you recieve an oversized package wtih faded or oily paper and extra mail on it, be weary.

2.- Continue to live your lives, but if you see any of the above calling 9.11, preferably on a land line (cells can explode devices), is not a crazy response. This is done all the time in Europe and nine times out of ten, it is a harmless pile of books... it is the one out of ten when that pakcage is a pile of explosives.

Why is it that our DHS is not telling you this? If you knwo what to do you will not be so easily manipulated... and at times I go, ok, that is nice, so exactly what I am looking for?

Hope this helps

[Solly Mack]

1. I have to take yearly terror/terrorists awareness classes

My certification is up for renewal now actually.

You pretty much covered the entire class...wonder if I can get credit for reading your post?..hmmm...

:)

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. I used to be an ermergency worker

and REMEMBERING NOT to click on the radio may have saved my butt...

On the plus side that close I woudl not have even felt it.

:-)

[Solly Mack]

3. I live near the high school and backpacks are everywhere

- and I avoid them from habit.

It does become second nature after a while...

The power went out today due to a storm...BUT...I went through the "routine" - grabbing up essentials and checking my surroundings...I laughed at myself afterward. I wasn't frantic - just "caught" myself going through the motions and laughed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Yes it is second natuer

I still remember calling the cops over an abandoned package in Hawaii, at the mall

Security was ANGRY... for the Bomb squad came over... the cops were happy and most of the locals were... not even fazed.

Teh cops asked, so how did you know this?

I am married to a Navy Chief and I was a Medic in a foreign country (where we received the training due to the first gulf )

Oh somebody who has a clue... thanks for calling and if they refuse you access, call the DA...