[MississippiMan]

If something like this happens we will drop our no-bias-against-Muslims stance so fast, they'll be wearing garters in Mecca.

What on Earth would make you believe something so silly? We'll do no such thing. Why would we do then what we didn't do after 9/11? In case you've forgotten, we changed the name of our operation from Infinite Justice to Enduring Freedom solely because the name of our war offended someone.

Bet you a buck right now that if we get hit again and lose 5000 innocent Americans, Bush will increase his Islam-is-a-peaceful-religion rhetoric, not decrease it. I don't know if you've flown since 9/11 or not, but in a nutshell our airport security all too often consists of pulling elderly white and black Americans out of line to have their feet examined and their bags rifled through, while Middle Eastern males walk on board without the slightest inconvenience.

If you think our government, including Bush, is going to abandon political correctness in the interest of our security, you're sadly mistaken. And even if our leaders were willing, the government is such a bloated, slow-crawling bureaucratic monster that it would still be at a huge disadvantage.

MM

[thoughtomator]

What makes me believe that is a sense of a generalized and barely repressed realization on the part of much of the nation that Islam is in fact the problem. What will make the next attack different is that it would demonstrate repeatability.

When we experienced 9/11, it was very similar to Pearl Harbor - indeed, that was the historical reference made by pretty much everyone who commented. An essential element of that image is that it was a one-shot deal. There was never any Pearl Harbor II.

I believe the general expectation - however unrealistic it might be - is that there won't be another 9/11. Certainly people don't act like it, or we'd act differently in many ways with respect to our national and personal security.

But repeatability changes the perception of the threat dramatically. Attack #1 doesn't necessarily make people believe there will be an Attack #2. Attack #2 however will make people expect Attack #3. This is why we dropped not one but two atom bombs on Japan - to demonstrate repeatability.

In the face of repeatability I believe the self-defense instinct will break the already-weakening bonds of PC. So, God willing that neither of us ever have to pay, I will accept your one-dollar wager.

[Indie]

if we get hit again and lose 5000 innocent Americans, Bush will increase his Islam-is-a-peaceful-religion rhetoric, not decrease it.

That's where WE as armed militia come in friend....BWA HAHAHA!

[Aquinasfan]

Bet you a buck right now that if we get hit again and lose 5000 innocent Americans, Bush will increase his Islam-is-a-peaceful-religion rhetoric, not decrease it.

I agree.

[riri]

Bet you a buck right now that if we get hit again and lose 5000 innocent Americans, Bush will increase his Islam-is-a-peaceful-religion rhetoric, not decrease it

Full agreement here.