Where would the terrorists attack LA over the holidays?

[ringmastery]

Presumably, if they want to cause massive deaths for psychological damage, they would slam the airplanes into some of the tall downtown buildings, but everyone is off on the holidays. Not that many people are in those buildings.

What other targets in LA are vulnerable to plane attack during the next week or two?

[K-W]

1. None

How are they getting a plane exactly?

I will be flying into LA in January, I figure everything will be on schedule.

[Kremer]

8. Shit, w/o terrorists LAX is not always on schedule.

It's usually a madhouse regardless. I fly in 2wks to China I hope LAX is cool too!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Rose Bowl

[liberalmuse]

3. Like something out of a Clancy novel?

My guess would be a small nuke at a nationally televised event, IF there were to be a terrorist attack on L.A. The men in the White House have no imagination.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. Actually I saw Dr Helen Caldicott on FSTV last night

and she was giving a speech about how EASY it is to penetrate a nuclear power facility and the damage it could cause. We have San Onofre right up the road.

[Cleita]

19. I've been thinking the same thing too. The Tournament of Roses

and the Rose Bowl, where there would be large crowds unlike on ordinary days.

[HereSince1628]

22. The HOLLYWOOD sign! Semiotic of US decadence....

No, really, if you have fuel to reach LA on a flight from Paris even if you stop in Ohio to refuel you could read targets damn near anywhere in the US...

[_Jumper_]

4. Is it even possible to hijack a plane these days?

The passengers will not stand by idly and allow terrorists to allow them to fly them into a building.

[Kremer]

6. Phil Spector's house or Jacko's mansion?? A Starbucks in Malibu

full of repugs?

[SoCalDem]

5. If the terrorists wanted to demoralize us they would attack

a shopping mall in say... St Louis
a school in say.. Detroit
a church in say ... Denver
a commuter train in say.. Boston..

and they would coordinate them so that they all happened on the same day..

I seriously doubt that they will do the plane thing anytime soon..

The "heartland" still "seems" secure.. Coordinated attacks in various places would have a more terrorizing effect..

I hope that there are some people in the govt who are thinking like this..

They might all be planning for the "next big thing"..but I think it will be several in scattered places.. They wnat us to be afraid to go anywhere.. They can cripple our economy if people are afraid to leave their houses.

[K-W]

7. Another plane attack would be the worst thing for Bush

I think that would be the one thing that no american would excuse him for happening.

[Kremer]

9. Not so my friend. According to Faux if a terror attack happens people

will "rally" around the president! Whew! Even w/ death and destruction * poll numbers won't be affected. That's what's important guys! j/k

[K-W]

10. I agree in all cases but a plane attack

I think that is the one case in which the president would look neglegent no matter what. I think the least people expect is to not be attacked successfully in exactly the same way.

[jjmalonejr]

12. Suicide plane missions are still an option...

I don't know if terrists could highjack a plane from the cabin anymore (they would surely be overpowered by the passengers, no matter how many box cutters they manage to sneak on). But if the pilots themselves are recruited Al Qaeda terrorists, then the cockpit doors protect them inside and ensure the success of their suicide mission. Could a terrorist be hired by an airline as a pilot?

Passengers trying to smuggle weapons or explosive material through security are not likely to succeed. But if mechanics or ground crew at the airport were to leave weapons or explosive material someplace for a passenger to retrieve, there could still be a horrible tragedy. Could this happen?

I think you know the answer. With the right planning and the right personnel, even the best security can be breached.

[K-W]

13. I dont think even the Bush's anti-terrorism is stupid enough for this

The more the planning and personnel, the harder it is to remain undetected. That is why the NYC ones worked.

[jjmalonejr]

15. The conspiracy need not be large or elaborate.

You're right that too large a network of people involved in any one operation increases the chances of it being thwarted.

However, if they are patient and clever, a small cell can pull off a devastating job, and it only takes one person on the inside.

On September 11th, 2001, Al Qaeda proved just how patient and clever they are. I wouldn't underestimate them just because we're making a big show of our airline security. It ain't that tight.

[K-W]

23. If its so easy, why didnt they do it on sept 11?

That certainly would have been easier if it were an inside job, no?

[MattNC]

14. staples center

n/t

[leftofthedial]

16. pick a Starbucks

any Starbucks

[Karenina]

17. They already have.

Flights from France and Mexico cancelled, no private cars allowed to rescue family, friend or colleague from travel fatigue at LAX... everyone out to the parking lot, thank you! Speculative threads such as this... Terror alert! Danger...Will Smith!!! :shrug:

[jjmalonejr]

18. Air France Flights Grounded

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20031224/D7VL137O0.html

[meti57b]

20. those buildings in downtown Los Angeles have a high vacancy factor.

Actually, Los Angeles is too spread out for anyone to cause that much damage in one place. We don't have any notable historical monuments. Whoever made up that list of hundreds of possible terrorist targets in Los Angeles must be an egotist.

What would have some impact would be hitting the Port of Los Angeles.

[Cry Freedom]

21. Yes, pick a nuclear plant...any nuclear plant

BTW: Happy Channukah :hi: