tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post116349260719910088..comments2024-03-20T10:19:56.838+01:00Comments on the beatroot: UK nuclear attack?beatroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11242716221133886807noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post-1163577955609235242006-11-15T09:05:00.000+01:002006-11-15T09:05:00.000+01:00Of course, George, anytime I write about the terro...Of course, George, anytime I write about the terrorist threat being exaggerated in the West I know that I run the risk of waking up the next day to one of those occasional ‘spectaculars’ from the latest bunch of suicide freaks, But I take the risk because I know the odds that happening and loooooong. <BR/><BR/>We have seen from that Bart guy who got 40 years in prison in the UK recently that there are fantacists with beards running around the place making wild and crazy plots (he never came even near actualizing any at all). <BR/><BR/>But I repeat: why announce a ‘possible nuclear attack’ not once, but two in the space of a few days? What possible use can we put that information to? And even if I believed that this was likely, what can I do about that? Nothing.<BR/><BR/>The MI5 has grown in number by 50% since 9/11. But it is chronically under funded. So she’s pushing for more. New Labour are champing at the bit to get longer time to keep suspects without charging them. Etc. <BR/><BR/>But the cost of these statements (and there is always an ‘opportunity’ cost to everything) it is the fear that they put into people. And the fear of terrorism is much more powerful than the thing itself.beatroothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11242716221133886807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post-1163548378364847562006-11-15T00:52:00.000+01:002006-11-15T00:52:00.000+01:00Anonymous wrote: "Do you think the head of MI5 mig...Anonymous wrote: "Do you think the head of MI5 might... be better qualified than you [Harry] to comment on the terrorist threats to the UK?"<BR/><BR/>Yes, but not necessarily more honest or truthful. "Just a thought," as our condescending anonymous friend might say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post-1163534752869246652006-11-14T21:05:00.000+01:002006-11-14T21:05:00.000+01:00I think you're beating up the wrong horse here. Wh...I think you're beating up the wrong horse here. Whatever a governments can do in 'ratcheting up the fear' pales in comparison with what an actual attack would do. I prefer to live in a World where the government scares me with its over-protective hysteria, and the terrorists don't, than vice-versa...soniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00938174968325568608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post-1163533646349648042006-11-14T20:47:00.000+01:002006-11-14T20:47:00.000+01:00It is not a new idea, that an interest group creat...It is not a new idea, that an interest group create a scare, to get funding.<BR/><BR/>During the tsunami in Asia, groups were falsely saying pedophiles, are running rampantly around, collecting children. It was a ploy for $$.Frank Partisanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03536211653082893030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post-1163529117444812482006-11-14T19:31:00.000+01:002006-11-14T19:31:00.000+01:001. The Guardian misquoted the speech. The word use...1. The Guardian misquoted the speech. The word used was 'aspirations', not 'plot' or 'plan', so blame the media for acting irresponsibly and ratcheting up fear. Aspirations are just that, and not a current imminent threat. However, people have at least twice (9/11, August 2006) had 'aspirations' to fly planes into buildings, so I suppose it was just as well they were ignored too, right...<BR/><BR/>2. Do you think the head of MI5 might, just, as a professional with umpteen years experience, possibly, perhaps, maybe be better qualified than you to comment on the terrorist threats to the UK? Just a thought. If you lived in the UK and used the Tube everyday, including on 7 July last year, perhaps you would be more inclined to accept there are reasons for what she said. Or perhaps all that does not sit comfortably with your idealism and being nice to everyone?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post-1163526281300870462006-11-14T18:44:00.000+01:002006-11-14T18:44:00.000+01:00Georges: perhaps we can agree that the threat is 9...Georges: perhaps we can agree that the threat is 99% hype?<BR/><BR/>For example no scientist anywhere has been able to explain how it might be possible to blow up a plane using explosives you've cooked up in the plane's lavy using liquids smuggled aboard in a can of red bull and a mineral water bottle. No military mind (or person with more than half a brain cell) has been able to explain how stationing armoured vehicles outside the terminal buildings at Heathrow would have stopped terrorists from using stinger missiles to shoot down a plane on its final landing approach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13112593.post-1163519658086206892006-11-14T16:54:00.000+01:002006-11-14T16:54:00.000+01:00I just wanted to say that I think your blog is gre...I just wanted to say that I think your blog is great. I'm very new to the world of blogs and think it's a superb idea that you're creating a community of kinda Polish bloggers. Have a look at mine, if you're interested, that is: http://uzar.wordpress.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com