Terror Level Elevation: Are you taking precautions?

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With so much speculation, conjecture, misinformation, disinformation, rumour, propaganda, paranoia and justified fear in the air, how are *YOU* -- John and Joan Q Public -- altering your daily routine.....or are you?

With the looming possibility of an "uncoventional" terrorist attack on "soft targets" (subways/hotels/large gatherings/shopping malls/apartment buildings) happening in the next few days (following the end of the Muslim holy season of Hajj), have you taken any steps or precautionary measures? Avoiding the subway? Packing any items in a safe place? Staying at home? Buying gas masks? Cancelling travel plans?

How seriously are you taking this?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:19 (twenty-three years ago)

I filled the gas tank on the way home today. There were lines at the tank (haven't seen that, well since the last gulf war) and the price was up nearly a dime since earlier in the week.

― That Girl (thatgirl), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:21 (twenty-three years ago)

I'll confess to avoiding mass transit and, despite Lou Reed's advice, "settling for walking".

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:22 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm eating less shellfish.

― James Blount (James Blount), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:23 (twenty-three years ago)

I would walk if I could Alex. More power to ya.

― That Girl (thatgirl), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:25 (twenty-three years ago)

I work a couple miles from LAX airport. I actually thought today about whether I would survive a small nuke going off there. I concluded that I probably would.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:28 (twenty-three years ago)

I think the idea of "soft targets" would not include airports right? Places like that are harder to get to.

My father works at Lockheed Martin. I kind of fear for him now but hope coward terroists (hope is an awful word to use here) set their sites smaller.

― That Girl (thatgirl), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:35 (twenty-three years ago)

I wonder how the U.S. will weather the next major attack now that there is no new or novel way to deal with it/react to it. Bold military action helped assuage the fears of many, post Sep 11, but we are already at war with terror, we have already invaded Afghanistan...

― Aaron A., Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:46 (twenty-three years ago)

The whole notion of "soft targets" seems to go against earlier theories that Al Qaeda tends to try to take care of "unfinished business" (i.e. two attempts on the WTC). If that's the case, certain spots in D.C. are -- I'm guessing -- back on high alert.CNN's been reporting this evening that particularly the East Coast is at risk.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 8 February 2003 03:53 (twenty-three years ago)

I guess, Alex, that I'm thinking further terrorist attacks in the US will resemble terrorism in Isreal more than WTC. Think of Bali.

― That Girl (thatgirl), Saturday, 8 February 2003 04:03 (twenty-three years ago)

Sadly, I think that's a credible assumption.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 8 February 2003 04:28 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm shooting any t-heads who look at me funny.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Saturday, 8 February 2003 10:08 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm thinking twice before opening these letters I keep getting with powder spilling out of them and "WARNING: ANTHRAX" in big letters on them. And the heavy, ticking ones.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 8 February 2003 12:21 (twenty-three years ago)

Yesterday I ordered 200 gallons of paraffin (not to use, I sell it @ my shop) The price had gone up by 2p per litre (IE our trade price = nearly 10p per gallon more). The womyn @ the liquid fuel company said thee increase was b/c ov the war in the gulf. It was only after I put thee phone down that I remembered that the gulf war II had not actually started yet. Bloody profiteers!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Saturday, 8 February 2003 13:23 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm stocking up on chipped beef and powdered eggs. Maybe I'll start a Victory Garden.

― rosemary the riveter (rosemary), Saturday, 8 February 2003 16:23 (twenty-three years ago)

I've been ignoring the news lately (I have to take a break now and then), so I'm safe.

― Rockist Scientist, Saturday, 8 February 2003 16:36 (twenty-three years ago)

I am well-provisioned, but that's just 'cause I stocked-up for the Hurricane season and no storms hit here, so I have all of this stuff leftover (except for the gallon jugs of water, several of which sprung leaks). I don't live my life any differently - I do what I want to do when I want to do it - if they're trying to ruin the joys of being alive then I refuse to let them have that power. I pretty much function on the idea that life is too short as it is and I am not going to waste time worrying about stuff that is out of my hands.

I like your attitude, Rocket Scientist (and your name, too, come to mention it *grin*).

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Saturday, 8 February 2003 20:23 (twenty-three years ago)

>if they're trying to ruin the joys of being alive

surely this is not the intent. I imagine it's a little bit 'maybe if everyone's a little more cautious and observant, there's a chance we-the-people can snuff this plan out before anything happens,' and a lot 'at least if we can prove that we can accurately predict attacks, then our (CIA/White House/GWB specifically) credibilty/approval has made a great stride'

― Aaron A., Saturday, 8 February 2003 20:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Er - I guess I should have clarified that statement a wee bit. I meant it to read "...if they're (the terrorists) trying to ruin the joys of being alive..." instead of being so ambiguous. And yeah, Aaron, I can see your argument for the possible logic behind the warnings.

Gosh - your name reminds me of the first boy I ever played Doctor with. Thanks for the memories.

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Saturday, 8 February 2003 20:45 (twenty-three years ago)

my precaution=booking a flight to NYC. er, yeah, timing!

― gareth (gareth), Saturday, 8 February 2003 20:45 (twenty-three years ago)

I wear a flak jacket to the bathroom.

― Millar (Millar), Saturday, 8 February 2003 20:47 (twenty-three years ago)

Sorry I misread you, Laura. But I'll concede that these warnings are probably more an attempt to prove our intelligence a little more intelligent, with a nation of slightly anxious and confused ppl the primary symptom.

― Aaron A., Saturday, 8 February 2003 20:51 (twenty-three years ago)

*grin* Agreed, Aaron - and you didn't misread, I mistyped (and you should acept this apology, 'cause I rarely make them, 'cause I'm almost always right).

I do wonder about the motivation for the warnings - I hate to think that I distrust the government so much at this point that I have to question their motives.

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Saturday, 8 February 2003 20:57 (twenty-three years ago)

I disposed of all my illegal drugs by using them.

― Jonathan Williams (ex machina), Saturday, 8 February 2003 21:46 (twenty-three years ago)

There is a sign on the back door of my building right now saying "PLEASE USE FRONT DOOR OWING TO HEIGHTENED NATIONAL SECURITY LEVEL--Thank you Mgt." Where does one start?

― Douglas (Douglas), Sunday, 9 February 2003 01:47 (twenty-three years ago)

I bought an extra bottle of wine and some beer.

― Chris Barrus (xibalba), Sunday, 9 February 2003 04:38 (twenty-three years ago)

Seattle is preparing by putting even more "No War In Iraq" signs than ever before, in order to appease the Al Qaedians by saying "hey, look guys, Bush sucks... and stuff!"

― donut bitch (donut), Sunday, 9 February 2003 04:57 (twenty-three years ago)

they don't even know rainbow order!!
http://europe.cnn.com/interactive/us/0205/terror.warning/tz.colors.jpg

― ron (ron), Sunday, 9 February 2003 05:15 (twenty-three years ago)

ha ha ron, my thoughts exactly!

― rosemary (rosemary), Sunday, 9 February 2003 05:19 (twenty-three years ago)

maybe they need some eight year old girls on "homeland security" duty. then they would get the colors right, plus it would have bubble letters

― ron (ron), Sunday, 9 February 2003 05:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Maybe we can get Tom Ridge to sing the "Roy G. Biv" song!

Perhaps it's my mistake, but I've completely ignored these warnings.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Sunday, 9 February 2003 05:57 (twenty-three years ago)

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