Fear

[Dis]

This is the appropiate time for this thread. On the eve before war.

Why are Americans so scared? Are they a bunch of pussies?

In my city the army surplus stores have 5 times the normal amount of business. I have never been to one, and do not plan on going to one. People are stocking up on gas masks and MRI's.

I am certain this is why people are so anti-war. They are scared. They fear terrorist attacks. This is no way to go through life. That is an irrational fear, and thusly, an anti-war stance because of the fear of terrorist attacks is irrational.

I'm not a particularly brave person. I'm not very big. I fear getting in physical confrontations with people. Yet I have no fear of terrorism. What does that prove? It proves I'm rational and most other people are irrational .


As a nation we should stand together and be brave. I plead with you to not go through life fearing terrorist attacks.

But what I'm looking for in this thread is the reason people are so afraid. I guess there is no reason because it is irrational. But I do believe americans have grown soft. Obviously I'm not a soft person. I'm very abrasive. And I've been through a lot of **** in my life. But I truelly believe americans are spoiled by their parents, and aren't properly weaned. They lack the mental resources to face the real world. Note to all parents, it is not good to shelter your children from everything. It is better to teach them to be a critical thinker and weigh the pros and cons of decisions in life.

And finally both CNN and FoxNews have poll asking if people fear terrorist attacks. Actually the wording was when the war on Iraq starts do you think there will be terrorist attacks. Most people think there will be. And I think this scares many people. But not me. My poll will take it a step further and ask if you fear terrorist attacks.

[CerberusIV]

I think it is possibly different in some european countries where there is a history of terrorism. When the media regularly carry stories of bombs and murders, as has been the case until relatively recently in the UK, people come to view it as just another risk. If people worried about every risk no-one would ever drive a car for fear of having an accident.

If there is a major attack with a chem/bio weapon or a dirty bomb that might be a different matter.

[MRT144]

americans love fearing things

[Zkribbler]

I'm anti-war for several reasons, the first two of which are:

1) A worry that any U.S.-installed government in Baghdad will be viewed by the Arab communities as a de-facto American colony and will become a lightning rod for any future anti-US feelings in the region (the same way in which Israel is viewed by Arabs).

2) The fact that in the Iran-Iraq war, Saddam did not unleash his weapons of mass destruction until he was facing military defeat on the battlefield. Once Iran began to get the upper hand, Saddam fired nerve gas and chemical weapons into Iran's cities, which brought an end to the war. We're now placing him back into that same situation. If Saddam can, he will strike American cities, and if he can't hit our cities, he will use them on our troops.

[Daz]

You didnt put "I'm allergic to bananas" into the poll!

That is my choice. Then again... I'm in Europe...

[Mercator]

Because the USA grew as a European colony and has seen a great influx of immigrants from all over the world and at different times during its evolution, America has never really seen an ancient cultural tradition. Instead Americans take to their flag and their country, the only thing they do all have in common, and something that over the years has now created its own culture, taking the best parts of many.

Patriotism is much more important than probably anywhere else in the World, even more so because the US is much larger population-wise than other nations that have a similar history (e.g. Australia, Canada).

Since patriotism IS American culture, people who do not stand behind their flag are looked upon with suspicion (for some more so than others). And for most people, believing in the democratic principles of the Founding Fathers, the US government is THE representation of their nation (only fanatic fringe groups seem to think otherwise, e.g. Timothy McVeigh).

Because of this, the American people may be more accepting or even gullible as far as their nation's government is concerned. An example of this is the recent change in opinion of the Americans concerning the war on Iraq. With war getting nearer and nearer, more people started supporting it, and after Dubya's "address to the nation" support had risen to some 70% (up from about 50%).

OT: What about a terrorist attack at the Oscars? Wipe out half of Hollywood in one swift blow, what represents the evil American spirit more than that...

[Dis]

and I even included 2 banana options.

What other poll will give you that many bananas.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by MRT144
americans love fearing things

No they don't. Actually, Americans like to make broad generalizations about other nationalities. It makes them feel better about themselves.

[Jac de Molay]

A terrorist act in Detroit?!?

Bring it

I've breathed so much polluted air that the worse thing a chem/bio attack would do is give me a nice contact buzz.

[MrFun]

Americans who are stocking up on duct tape are doing so for one of the two reasons:

1) to be melodramatic

2) they actually believe duct tape is the first-line of defense against terrorist attacks.


For me, I'm not that fearful of a terrorist attack -- it might be because I live in eastern Iowa, rather than San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, or other metros.

[SlowwHand]

If the terrorists had one speck of brains, which they don't, they would target Iowa, first rattle out of the box.


Can't worry. One can be aware, but worry is paying late charges on a debt not yet due; and is in fact a victory for terrorism, if nothing else is done.

[MarBaS]

No they don't. Actually, Americans like to make broad generalizations about other nationalities. It makes them feel better about themselves.

Your making a broad generalization about Americans dumby

[General Ludd]

Ok, what is this buisness with duct tape I keep hearing about? I haven't watched television at all this year, so I'm guessing it's some sort of idiotic fear mongering campaign the media is doing. It sounds too ridiculous to be true though, even for the american media.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by MarBaS


Your making a broad generalization about Americans dumby

[rah]

Originally posted by Osweld
Ok, what is this buisness with duct tape I keep hearing about? I haven't watched television at all this year, so I'm guessing it's some sort of idiotic fear mongering campaign the media is doing. It sounds too ridiculous to be true though, even for the american media.

No not made up by the media, it was official governement policy. Buy plastic and duct tape and be prepared to use them to create a safe room in your house in case of biological terrorist acts. The funniest part was that it was hard to find duct tape in certain stores for a few days after the annoucement.

RAH
I figured I would just seal myself in a plastic bag from the drycleaners.