Coming to get us?
With terror groups’ sophisticated use of social media and misinformation, panic and overreaction are not valid options. Deliberate, informed and solid security measures are.
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A few weeks ago we remembered September 11, 2001, and all the lives we lost that day, the first responders who gave up their lives and/or health to save people and all the destruction and damage to property, our economy and our national psyche and sense of safety at home.
A recent CNN poll taken in early September, indicated that Americans are increasingly concerned about ISIS agents living in the United States, and worried they are about to launch acts of terror on U.S. soil.
This poll indicates Americans are of the following opinions:
1. Seven in ten believe ISIS has the resources to launch an attack against the United States.
2. 76% favor additional strikes against ISIS.
3. 62% favor military aid to foreign forces fighting ISIS.
4. 83% favor humanitarian aid to forces fighting ISIS.
5. 61% oppose placing U.S. forces on the ground in Iraq and Syria to fight ISIS.
6. Seven in ten favor President Obama getting approval from Congress for airstrikes against ISIS.
7. Eight in ten support Congress approving military actions against ISIS.
The question, or course, is what we should do about this and is there any rational reason for us not to feel safe here at home? There is no doubt that without the beheadings of the two American journalists on video, the feelings of the public on security and safety at home would be different. 14% of Americans now feel that terrorism is the country’s most important problem (quadruple the 3% who thought so in 2010), ranked right behind the economy at 30%.
Earlier today, Iraq’s Prime Minister Haidar-al-Abadi said that captive militants for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), informed his intelligence agents in Iraq of an alleged plot to attack the United States and Paris, France. He went on to say:
“Today, while I’m here I’m receiving accurate reports from Baghdad that there were arrests of a few elements and there were networks from inside Iraq to have attacks…on metros of Paris and U.S. They are not Iraqis. Some of them are French, some of them are Americans. But they are in Iraq.”
NCS Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said:
“We have not confirmed such a plot, and would have to review any information from our Iraqi partners before making further determinations. We take any threat seriously and always work to corroborate information we receive from our partners.”
New York Mayor Bill De Blasio, dismissed the reported threat:
“With the evening rush hour about to begin, I have a simple message for our New Yorkers: There is no threat to our subway system.”
Do we want to go back to this?
With terror being especially effective when and if the targets of such acts and threats panic and overreact, it is good policy to be measured and make sure we are diligent and safe but not overreactive to any and all threats real or imagined. With billions of dollars spent on Homeland Security, are we doing what is required to keep America safe, and if not, what else should we be doing in response to the well-oiled, effective and efficient propaganda machine that is part of today’s terror groups, ISIS and others?
Photo: Uncle Sams Misguided Ch… /Flicker Photo2: robert_rex_jackson /Flicker
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We are in agreement then. Fear is good to get us motivated to act. We need to be smart about using our intelligence and resources to keep us safe at home and safe when we travel. We also need to play our role in making the world safer for all with leadership, support and some US resources.
I refuse to live in fear. I’m okay with identifying concern levels but I’m not going to change what I do because of them. Close friends from Germany just left and they, as world travelers, admitted that this was the first time they were afraid to travel. The US aren’t the only ones who have these concerns, my friend stated that ISIS is almost front page every day.
Mark, thanks for your dialogue (not sure I’m needed here:) I also don’t think we are far apart, We need to be vigilant but not overreact (taking off shoes at airports and not being able to bring a bottle if water on board is just silly and not fact supported security, just a small example). We freaked out as a country after 9-11 and went crazy with homeland security. No one is saying not to be safe. No one is saying not to take ISIS and company seriously. But to claim that after they killed two American journalists all 320… Read more »
…”well-oiled, effective and efficient propaganda machine”…I would disagree with that myth.
Also who’s panicking? The goal of these groups is a world war between Islam and everyone else followed by a worldwide caliphate. Their extreme tactics are much more likely to create the opposite. We should be thankful these guys aren’t nearly as smart as they get credit for. So far…
Their extreme tactics are much more likely to create the opposite. We should be thankful these guys aren’t nearly as smart as they get credit for.
indeed, my concern is the next expansionist group who appears, after isil are destroyed, who will have learnt that lesson, and be more sneaky about they would order their caliphate
Not spam.
Tsach. I get it. You have the greatest hope for humanity. Gosh I hope you’re right and I’m wrong. Unfortunately I think you’re not and I’m not any more safer or secure for your family nor mine. God, however you believe him or her to be, truly bless us, because if you cannot see true evil then you’re in a world of hurt. Right beside me.
OK. Appears you didn’t like my first post. So I will now support us all sitting around a campfire and we will have a civil philosophical discussion of our differences. As the sun comes up tomorrow, we will stand together, all children between us, smiles upon our faces so we can create as brasve new world. Together. Sighhhhh……..
Panic is certainly not the answer. A logical reasoned approach is. Which unfortunately is not a point of plus with this administration. This is a terror tactic that needs to be dealt as such. The vast majority of politicians are out for themselves. Watch their feet not what they say. They are not to help you. They are there for themselves. The terrorists will attack. Our borders are porous and our elected officials are trying to downplay it for their own benefit until it happens. There are too many loose cells and ends. Is it cataclysmic? Probably not unless you… Read more »