Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

Oh, I definately agree. Being shot through the head with a 30.06 by a lone gunman will kill you just as fast as being blown up by a suicide squad. The lone gunman is harder to catch also. No one really notices a loner, but they DO notice a group of suspicious characters acting in a suspicious manner. So, that group of al Qaeda terrorists who are loading up on fertilizer and diesel stand a much greater chance of being caught than one 'good ole boy' buying a couple boxes of ammo to go 'hunting'.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

If ti helps us to stay alive, this article makes some good points. We all need to watch out for the criminals out there that will attack and kill us. But what David also does is point out the change in how we think. What we used to just consider a crime is now "terrorism". Where does the act change from being murder to being terrorism? When the planes hit the tower, was it a combination of murder and other crimes, or was it one crime - terrorism? When a single person is murdered like the doctor was, is it terrorism or just a murder? When the Symbionese Liberation Army robbed banks, was it terrorism or a crime?

Should the size of the crime change our response to it? Does it really change the way we should respond? I know that many people had a real wake up call when the planes hit the towers on Sep. 11, 2001, but it should not have been a wake up to police. We have been dealing with terrorism for years. The FBI had been investigating the exact same group (different cell but still al Qaeda) for an earlier attempt to blow up the towers by a truck bomb. Cops had been dealing with the bombings of abortion clinics, and the shootings of doctors, for years. In the 70's the FALN bombed La Guardia Airport to try to gain independence for Puerto Rico. This was also handled by the police and FBI.

The attacks should not have been a wake up call for the military either. In the 70's and 80's, the groups had different names, but I was assigned to guard against attacks from the Red Army Faction and the Baader-Meinhof gang. The Red Brigades was another known terrorist group active then.

It has long been known that it is impossible to stop a single assassin who is suicidal and dedicated to his mission. We can use various techniques to collect intelligence and stop groups but we cannot infiltrate a lone person working on his own. Whether we call him a criminal or a terrorist does not matter to me in this context. We all need to be alert and remember there are people out there who will attack and kill police officers. Stay alert and stay safe.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

Everybody has a breaking point. When you push someone into a corner and attack them, anyone will fight back.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

We as a nation have a lot of issues, that along with terrorism, is enough to give police officers MORE ulcers and sleeping issues.

Dude...here's the deal: We've got people losing houses, and jobs. This affects your credit score, and mind you that employment and credit are governed by credit score. Low credit score means no job and no credit. Humans need food clothing and shelter. If they cannot find a legitimate form of work (takes money to make money too)...the police are going to be busier with robberies, break-ins, bank robberies, general larceny, auto theft and people hurting people in the process. Assistance money is hardly there for the unemployed because the states (and federal government) are being starved of their taxes. People aren't paying taxes through their paychecks anymore...nor through property tax. THey don't have jobs anymore and the are losing whatever they do own to garnishments and foreclosure.

Big business isn't helping the situation by raising people's payments on whatever they are behind on because of a loss of income. So people start losing stuff. And the circle is complete when big business and government starts losing money too. The financial industry is outdated with the times focusing so heavliy on credit and a stupid score that the holder has no control over (remember, some one does on inquiry on your credit report, your score can go down. Not your choice now is it?). So this means crime will spike and so will anger of people not being able to have a fair chance. The system is not balanced correctly by allowing business to use the legal system to take whatever away from people who cannot help the fact they have lost their income and way of life.

We are going to have a lot more people taking up guns and killing off those who are not being fair, sympathetic, and reasonable about how to handle the current economic situation. Chase bank world headquarters here in Columbus Ohio just got evacuated twice here within the last week from suspicious packages and bomb threats. Chee, wonder why. Do we understand the mental stress, the physical stress, and the situation that is brewing under this economy?

Millions of Americans are ripe for recruiting for terroristic purposes against a greedy capitalistic society that has an unfair financial system/practices that discriminate against he poor. And we cannot stop the people at the border because guess what? They live here by natural born right.

Hey you know that U.S. soldiers are one of the enemies of Al-Qaeda and those bitter against the U.S.'s choice to invade Iraq, right? So your personal information is missing from a stolen laptop (reported in the media here recently). Do you know how much that information is worth? Our soldiers also need to be extrememly careful right here in the homeland because you Iraqi veterans know that some vets didn't appreciate being called up, shipped overseas, and had to leave their full-time good paying jobs and take military pay, to come back to a foreclosed home from missed payments, and a slew of other financial problems because of the war. Some will hate the government for their divorce, and the loss of their house. Some will hate the greedy bastard bank that took it. They are trained killers in a position to be easliy brainwashed/manipulated along with many other vulnerable Americans that have no money and no hope. Most of these people have guns too, because it is our American right as well. So help the government if they try to take it away in this time of financial and emotional chaos for millions of people. It will be seen as a dictatorship, not a democracy and hell will have a new meaning.

There is a big Charlie Foxtrot brewing. The chatter in the public and what is reported in the media are two different things...and American notice. No one is bluffing anyone. Americans aren't stupid and can see the unfairness and what is going on.

Sleeper cells of terrorist using the poor as pawns for national security information in exchange for deseperately needed money. Terrific. Using them as potential weapons. Please remember that we are dealing with intelligence terrorists that have training from the CIA in which Bin Laden has used in training jihadists.

If I were a full-time law enforcement officer, have a little sympathy for people these days and keep your head from exploding suddenly (sniper pot-shots) as more and more Americans sit and boil in anger over the government getting into people's lives after being screwed by greedy big business people. When freedom feels like jail...well. I can't say that that the future will be pretty.

Ya'll be careful out there. Do take note that terrorists are really busy and have the advantage right now. All anyone has to do anymore is pay attention to know this.

Last edited @ 8/7/2009 9:51 PM

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

I believe it is against the law for a company to foreclose on an active duty soldier who is overseas. Same with reppoing their vehicles. Don't read to much into Napolitano's report... our returning soldiers really aren't terrorists.

The problem isn't with the 'eeeVVVViiilllll Capitolistic Society' and Big Business. The problem is that people want what they want, and they want it now. So, they willingly buy stuff they can't afford on credit, or with loans. Many make just the minimum payments. Some miss a payment for whatever reason and find their rates have just jumped. And of course, problems always rear their ugly heads. The kid needs braces, the car's transmission just fell out, the roof has termites, etc etc. People who were already living on the financial edge fall off, and lose everything. Of course, they blame the EEEvvvIIIIIllllll companies. While forgetting that THEY were the ones who signed the contract agreeing to the terms. If you don't like the terms, don't sign the contract. Don't get the loan. If people only lived within their means we wouldn't be in the current financial mess. But no. We need a washer and dryer...but not just ANY washer/dryer, we NEED the expensive stainless steel one with the 2 dozen controls only a NASA rocket scientist can figure out. We need a refrigerator, but a plain old one which just keeps food cold isn't enough. We NEED the one with the water/ice dispenser and the tv screen on the front. In stainless steel as well. And hey, a 19" cathode ray tube TV is so passe! No! We NEED the 54" flat screen with duo dolby surround sound. And when we buy all that stuff, and the 80 dollar jeans and 300 dollar sneakers and all the other over priced CRAP we don't need but think we want, and find we can't afford to pay the bills....well, surely it wasn't OUR fault. No, it can't be. Must be those evil corporations which forced us to buy all these 'necessities'. Maybe if people stopped blaming everyone else, and instead took responsibility for their own actions, we'd all be better off?

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

Hey wolva...

You need to wake up. Laws have been designed to make it easier for big corporations to "capitalize" on people's hardships. Many people are working just to provide for their basic needs, and are not buying top of the line products on credit. When there is a loss of income, businesses take advantage of that.

That is the exact propoganda the government wants people to believe. It's the people's fault. Like I said...people aren't bluffed. They know politicians are going to side with their campaign donors.

Not to mention, the financial system will have to be changed because too many Americans went into the hole and their credit is messed up. Which strangles big businesses anyway because people can't get jobs to buy things anymore (because employers use a credit report to determine character - which is a bunch of crock). And you can forget credit of any kind for a while.

There are too many people that are without. And the greedy EVVVIIILL businesses will pay for it in the long run. It's already happening. The rich will be drained of their money too trying to support America because they plundered the middle class folks.

It's been predicted for years, and it is here.

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

Let the world know this because it is disgusting:

These are soldiers that served in the Reserves. The have either been injured and cannot continue to work their civilian or military jobs. The start falling behind on payments because no money if you don't work, and disability isn't enough and face foreclosure. some of these soldiers had to care for others (medical situations, family issues that could not be helped).

If it was not for organizations like these (see below), these soldiers would not be able to keep their homes because they do not have benefits like active duty personnel.

http://www.usacares.org/successStories.htm

Some soldiers don't get this help. Banks take their homes and their lives away from them because they don't give a rats ass whether they served this nation with everything they had to save the greedy corporation's ass from being overtaken by terrorists.

Why bother protecting these people if they stand, not for freedom, but for financial hell and jail for those who gave everything they had!?!

The problem with America is she has let big corporations run away with the voice here in America. WE THE PEOPLE are hardly ever heard because we cannot give large campaign donations and ensure politicians a seat on capitol hill. So instead of being for America, this nation has had a sick twist of thinking screwing the very citizens (police officers, firefighters, soldiers, security personnel) that sit here and protect it. And greed doesn't stop there. The elderly, and children have to sit and wonder why it is so hard just to have a roof over their head. It's hard because corporations have the voice because they crinkle greenbacks under corrupt politician's noses. If there are any politicians that understand what is going on, have the wisdom to stand up for the balance that America needs.

Some soldiers figure out they are not fighting for freedom anymore, but for greedy evil men that invest American money overseas instead of in America. Why should soldiers risk their lives to have banks take it all away? Some will see what this is all for, and will turn against those who think they are in charge to change things for the common good.

That is why we face a dire situation today. People are seeing the truth. And they will fight for it...for America which was founded to give all and equal opportunity at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness....and NOT for certain people with a shit load of money who do not give a damn about fair financial practices.

Do you know just how many soldiers are totally pissed off at what they see? I've lost count. And I really feel for these men and women who know the truth. Talk about being used for not the preservation of the U.S. Constitution, but for corporate greed.

It better change, and this message is free to be distributed web wide because until we get this balance, this so called change...we are messing with the biggest bomb yet to explode.

Not only do soldiers have to watch for terrorists to hunt them here "to get back" at what they are percieved to be doing (standing up for coporate greed, not freedom), but those soldiers who are realizing freedom fighting against terrorism and the imbalance, you will have some turn to change the tide. It is being a traitor? Actually, no it is not being a traitor. Remember we have the AMerican right to stop government from becoming a dictatorship through corporate plunder of its citizens.

Think about it, and try to get some sleep. We need to end corruption before it ends us.

Last edited @ 8/10/2009 5:14 AM

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

No need to be insulting Rachel. I am fully awake, and the any assertion that just because someone disagrees with you they are either stupid, ignorant, or blindly following the government's lede is obnoxious. However, nothing I said was untrue, and I note nothing you said disproved any of it. No financial institution can take away a person's private property UNLESS that person fails to honor the CONTRACT which they freely and willingly signed. That bad things happen, that people fall onto hard times is a given. So, what are these companies supposed to do? Forgive the debts? Well, let's seque to a another point here. Just what do companies do with their profits? Horde them? Give them all to the CEO? (btw, CEOs make just a fraction of what big name sports stars make). This money is loaned out to other people so THEY can buy on credit, or finance a new car or house. It goes to research for new drugs. And it goes into the stock market. This money is used to bolster pension plans and 401K funds. Some even makes it to charity. Scrooge McDuck isn't in a vault somewhere swimming in it, the money goes back out and supports the country.

It is NOT the job of a financial institution to support people who do not pay their bills, for whatever reasons. However, it IS the job of CHARITIES. If you wish to start a charity to help indigent soldiers/ LEOS then I'm all for it, and I'll chip in a few bucks even. But to expect a company, which after all exists solely to make money for it's stockholders (who, I'll remind you, include lowly janitors, teachers, cafe workers, cops, and many others who invest in these companies via their 401Ks) to willingly lose money through no fault of their own?

There is currently a commercial playing on the local radio stations. In it, a woman talks about how the local company was polluting the river, killing the fish and making children sick. So she calls the company to get them to stop and can't get past the receptionist. She then gets a bunch of people together and triumphantly she states they got the company to close down! "But"...she says chagrinedly, "the river is still polluted, the fish are still dying, half the town is now unemployed and the sick children are even sicker because their families no longer have health insurance." A man's voice then states, "Saving the world is complicated. Saving a life isn't." I like that commercial because it points out that EVERYTHING is interconnected. Those evil corperations which you hate so much and wish would be destroyed? They employ many people. Get rid of them and those people are now unemployed. Then THEY are the ones who lose their houses and their cars. I dunno. Maybe our capitolistic society isn't the best in the world. But it sure as Hades beats all the other options out there.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

And don't forget the guy that will shoot up the gym because the chicks dissed him. That's all it takes sometimes.

Re: July 2009: Editorial -- Terrorism with a Small "t"

Wolfva...

I'm not trying to be insulting, but trying to shed some light on the matter. I understand that people sign contrcts, but also understand that the practices big corporations are using are not fair. For example, if some one experiences a life changing event or an event they cannot control...they then are laid off or off of work. People don't get paid when this happens, and savings will go fast, if any one has a savings in the first place. Not every one receives a high wage. Bills do not get paid.

The answer that big corporations have come up with is raising the payments of the people who have falled behind to "catch the up" by redoing a loan. Where does this make sense? If the person has fallen behind on payments due to something they cannot control, where is it right to take legal action against these people to garnish their wages or take away personal property? To raise a payment on some one who has fallen behind based on the notion that because they get back to work from a medical, they should be able to pay this back has now raised their budget expenses. How about these gas prices going up to $4.50 a gallon in some areas? Do you realize that puts people over budget? These are things that people cannot control and not all areas have bus lines nor does everyone have the capacity to ride a bike.

It is called stealing, but corporations have covered up their immoral behavior because there are no regulations. So emergency workers, police officers, soldiers, and those who keep this nation going are being robbed of their belongings because of something they could not control - loss of income. How about them banks not working with people and keeping people in their houses? Their answer is to only raise the payments to "catch up" the home owner. If the person is having trouble paying their bill at the price they got in trouble for, where in the hell do you think they are going to come up with the money to pay the higher bill? I know..."it's THEIR choice they signed the contract". People cannot predict a loss of income Wolfva or a medical situation. If they do not sign to a loan modification they lose their property anyway. That is the point...the consumer loses one way or the other because there are no regulations.

That is why the U.S. is in this mess is because greedy EVIL business doesn't care about their customers, but only their bottom line. They could care less if people lose their homes because they benefit from it.

Tell me...what is the difference between a terrorist that blows up financial institutions, instills fear in Americans not to buy anything or go to work, or blows up their place of business to rob America of a decent economy by affecting the financial system and between a big business that robs people's property from them because of a loss of income or an uncontrollable situation, which plunges the nation into a financial crisis?

Both affect national security. Both do not care if America survives financially as long as their greedy little asses are padded with cash. Both screw and damage or down right take away a person's way of life.

Chee...Americans don't look happy with the national healthcare issue. Mark my words...if there is not regulations on big business (the first politicians to realize what I am saying and fix the problem will boost their popularity by 100%) and they keep plundering Americans...

we will have war. Pick a person out on the street and talk to them about it. This nation is PISSED. And you have people who are trained killers that protect America that are getting screwed by greedy big business that view it as a form of terrorism because what it is doing....destroying their lives. There are millions of Americans that have been affected. This is a hige national security issues being the lack of over sight, and understanding on what big business does to the national security arena. It cause people to rob and sell out information, it will cause riots, it will cause crime to go up, it will cause the rich being robbed, it will cause chaos and confusion which add more fuel to a terrorist cell's fire to take advantage of this unrest and light this nation up.

We are not unified. We are not a strong nation when we are not unified because our very own is plundering us into places where we do not want to be and it is causing more things to be unstable to a very critical point.

That is what I am trying to get at wolfva. I don't think you're stupid. Far from it...but I think this nation needs to realize the huge ugly monster that is about to rear its head. Only the rich have something to lose.

Terrorist cells don't have to be very active right now...we are going just the direction they want us to. Out of no where people will have money to fight one hellacious war against greedy big business and capitalism.

Forget healthcare...capitol hill needs to focus on the economy because it is a national security issue tied in just like you point out that all things can be interconnected.

I'm not yelling at you, but trying to get you to see it from the citizen's side. Militia activity is up, White Supremacy activity is up, people are screaming at town halls, guns & ammo is flying off the shelves by the TRUCK loads...damn it Houston, we have a problem.

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.