Something I've Always Wondered About Terrorists.......

[Cap'n Cat]

....is why they don't take random shots at American tourists worldwide. And, yes, I know they do it now and then. I watch Bizarre Foods and No Reservations and Samantha Brown's travel shows and you'd think that, if those fvcks wanted to make a statement, they'd take out such public overseas Americans. Me, I'm scared shitless to go anywhere in the world except for Canada! I'd never take a bus anywhere in Israel and I'd never habitate a crowded bar in Berlin.
Like taking out our food, if you want to cripple America, start doing in innocent tourists. You'll also cripple tourism and maybe those countries will take a more active stand against terrorism.

[89Hen]

How about the fact that all you'd need to cripple a city is one bomb in the right spot? Park a truck under the American Legion Bridge on the DC beltway and this area would be toast.

[GannonFan]

Actually an interesting point - look at all the havoc that guy and his kid did in the Maryland/Washington/Virginia area a few years ago when they were driving around and shooting random people with just a rifle with a scope. Schools were shutting down all outside activities, parents drove their kids to school, if at all, people were scared to venture outside. Imagine if 20 guys were in the country and all doing that - it can't be hard to smuggle in 20 guns and send people out. Kind of glad that terrorists don't think small like that as it would be very disruptive.

[danefan]

How about the fact that all you'd need to cripple a city is one bomb in the right spot? Park a truck under the American Legion Bridge on the DC beltway and this area would be toast.

Everytime I drive over the GWB or through the Lincon Tunnel I think the same exact thing. Such easy targets.

[∞∞∞]

You're assuming there's a lot of terrorists where most Americans travel. There aren't. Terrorists are sparse and try to stay relatively out of view, and that's why when they emerge, they like to get as many people as possible. If you shoot random American tourists, you're not going to get that far, especially when it's in a crowded area where tourists usually are. Hell, you might not even kill them and there's a big chance of getting caught. Random explosions and hostile events create way more fear, and there's less of a chance to get caught. The truth is, outside the suicide bombers in Palestine, Iraq, etc. (who don't have a chance to get to countries most Americans vacation in), homegrown terrorists in more civilized countries don't want to die or get caught.

[Skjellyfetti]

You're assuming there's a lot of terrorists where most Americans travel. There aren't. Terrorists are sparse and try to stay relatively out of view, and that's why when they emerge, they like to get as many people as possible. If you shoot random American tourists, you're not going to get that far, especially when it's in a crowded area where tourists usually are. Hell, you might not even kill them and there's a big chance of getting caught. Random explosions and hostile events create way more fear, and there's less of a chance to get caught. The truth is, outside the suicide bombers in Palestine, Iraq, etc. (who don't have a chance to get to countries most Americans vacation in), homegrown terrorists in more civilized countries don't want to die or get caught.

The World is nothing to be scared of, Cap'n.