This is the kind of thing we are up against...

[janx]

I'm sorry, but I ran across a breaking news thread at FreeRepublic that raised my hackles. The thread has since been moved to "religion" or something, but it will give you a glimpse of what passes for online news being passed around.

You will not believe this.

SPECIAL ALERT: INTERCESSORS 4 AMERICA ON WATCH IN WASHINGTON
WorldNetDaily.com; FRANCIS FRANGIPANE EMAIL LIST; ^ | 27 NOV 2003 | Francis Frangipane; Paul Sperry Wash B Chief

Homeland Security Issues Highest Terror Threat Level Prevailing Prayer A Necessity At This Critical Time Al Qaeda Warns Of "Biggest Operation In The United States"

HOMELAND SECURITY ISSUES HIGHEST TERROR THREAT LEVEL TO U.S. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY PERSONNEL -

(Associated Press; WorldNetDaily.com, by Paul Sperry, Washington Bureau Chief, 11/24/03)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced to the public that the nation's current terror threat level stands at yellow, or elevated, indicating there is only a significant risk of terrorist attacks. But, behind the scenes, it has directed federal and state law enforcement, as well as security personnel to initiate protective measures under its highest threat level - red - a condition when there is an imminent risk of terrorist attacks.

Marked "For Official Use Only," a five-page memo from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was distributed Friday to federal departments and agencies, as well as state security managers and first responders. The Homeland Security memo warns that al-Qaeda might launch attacks "near the end of Ramadan (Nov. 24-27)," which happens to coincide this year with the Thanksgiving holiday.

Also, the State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans traveling abroad, urging they "maintain a high level of vigilance" for possible terrorist attacks.

The memo advised federal agencies to initiate emergency counter terrorism measures to prevent possible al-Qaeda car bombings planned during the last days of the Muslim holiday Ramadan. Citing al-Qaeda's "increasingly sophisticated" car-bombing tactics, it recommends security guards tow all vehicles parked illegally in and around government facilities, if their owners cannot be identified, and inspect the undercarriage and other areas of vehicles entering sensitive areas, among other high-threat protective measures.



http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1030525/posts

[janx]

1. It turns out that some religious/political nutcase in D.C.

is spreading this stuff around.

This is so irresponsible that I have a hard time believing that it actually happened.

[xxqqqzme]

2. the monster under the

bed! Fear forever!

I noticed squatter's UK speech was heavy w/ the fear factor. It seems 2 B our current major export.

[janx]

3. Always. And the thing that bothers me most is that

it is not what this country is about...ever!

[blackcat77]

4. Check note 7 in the thread -- A freeper got one right... nt

[janx]

5. That guy is a libertarian...

they often get stuff right.

[Wulfian]

6. Don't idiots understand that by getting scared and being put on alert...

that the terrorists win without doing anything?


To be afraid of terrorism is to lose to terrorists
To stand up and not care about terrorism is to defeat terrorists.



What part of this do people not understand? By fighting them they get stronger, by acknowledging them they get angrier.

Imagine the serenity of a world where people weren't freaked out by alerts or the dark cloud of "ooh the next 9-11" hovering over their ignorant heads.

[janx]

7. I know, kiddo...

but the threat is worth gold in terms of politics. That's what makes it so hard to stomach.

[janx]

8. Even FR has this thread relegated to CHAT.

They realized the danger of having it in NEWS. Then it went to religion, and then it went to CHAT.

It's still very frightening.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1030525/posts?page=150

[newyawker99]

9. Hi Wulfian!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: