POL: SKIP TIMES SQUARE

New York Post ^ | 12/31/03 | BILL SANDERSON and ED ROBINSON

[kattracks]

December 31, 2003 -- Count on one less out-of-towner at tonight's New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) offered his regrets yesterday, telling The Post that he'd avoid the Times Square crowd because it's a "tempting target" for terrorists.

[texasflower]

Someone should offer the congressman a valium.

[nygoose]

The congressman is exhibiting simple common sense.

[texasflower]

I disagree. He is on a terrorism committee, working for us. He should not be out there creating a sense of panic.

If he choses not to go to a party or fly overseas, that's fine. But to deliberately voice an opinion in direct conflict to what others, in more of a position to judge the terror threat seems a bit irresponsible to me.

I'm not saying that I believe everything the government says or does. I do think this threat is extremely serious and we may well get hit. But if our government officials can't stay on message, the ensuing panic could take us a very long time to overcome.

Big win for the terrorists if they actually manage to incite terror.

[Conservative4Ever]

Not a problem...out here on the left coast. We are patiently waiting for the big one.

Red

[Junior_G]

Big win for the terrorists if they actually manage to incite terror.

It is not a "win" for the terrorists if people avoid Times Square. It is a win for the terrorists when they kill us. Anyone choosing to celebrate New Years in Times Square---of all places---is an idiot.

[thoughtomator]

This is a typical showing of courage by Rep. Shays, who, after viewing extensive and graphic evidence of Slick Willy's rape exploits, was content to let it slide.

[thoughtomator]

Even before terror was an issue I thought that

[Dog]

I just heard this mentioned on Fox.....damn Shay needs to buck up or pop a nerve pill and chill.

Talk about lacking leadership.

[raybbr]

"I wouldn't go to Times Square. That is my opinion....

It's mine, too. I wouldn't go there for any reason anyway. A couple of hundred thousand drunks, pickpockets, muggers, etc. NO WAY!!!!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

It is not a "win" for the terrorists if people avoid Times Square.

Really? Times Square on New Year's Eve is a big tourist event for NYC. Granted it's not my cup of tea, but if you don't think it's a "win" on some level for terrorists to disrupt our economic activity (even activities that you don't particularly enjoy), think again.

Will Congressman Shays tell people to avoid the Super Bowl? Would the cancellation of that event count as a "win" for the terrorists?

[Huck]

It is not a "win" for the terrorists if people avoid Times Square. It is a win for the terrorists when they kill us. Anyone choosing to celebrate New Years in Times Square---of all places---is an idiot.

I am sorry but I have to disagree. My view, fwiw, is that we are at WAR and that all of us citizens have a part to play in it. One thing we MUST do is go on with our lives. Yes, we should be vigilent, yes we should be on the lookout, yes we should be prepared. But if we followed this risk averse mode of thinking, we would be paralyzed and that would be a big win for terrorism.

My sister LIVES in Manhattan. Should everyone evacuate Manhattan Island forever? It's a juicy target, and not just on New Year's Eve. I went to visit her during the heightened alert. For a party. Am I insane? Should I not visit my sister?

I worked in Manhattan on 9-11-01. I remember well when we all went back to work on 9-17. It was like a victory for our side! None of us did a lick of work. It was enough of an achievement just to come back. But we did. Men and women, young and old, and it WAS a victory for our side. When I got back from my sister's place the other night, I felt like I had stuck it to the terrorists, because I did not let fear stop me.

I think Times Square is a bad place to be period. That's just my taste. But I hope it's crowded with people. I hope it goes off without a hitch. That will be another victory for our side, imo. Now, if Shays has some specific info beyond what we already know, he can share it or shut up, but he's not helping by being a coward.

[mewzilla]

Steve Doocy characterized the statement as Shays crawling under the bed and hiding.

I agree with Doocy.

[Huck]

It wasn't anything creative, but it was apropos of this thread:

F the terrorists! We are winning!

I was inspired to create it (my first ever tagline--censored! LOL) by my trip to NYC to see my sister. I came home feeling good about having made the trip. I enjoyed the opportunity to stick in the face of the terrorists. But, I guess "F" is not clean enough for FR. Fair enough. I'll come up with a new tagline at some point.

[angcat]

Growing up in Yonkers we never went into the city for New Years, it is for tourists!

[leadpenny]

Bloomberg v. Shays

When RINOs collide!

[Quilla]

This is a typical showing of courage by Rep. Shays, who, after viewing extensive and graphic evidence of Slick Willy's rape exploits, was content to let it slide.

Man, I wish I had said that!

[Peach]

The feds decide to tell people because:

1. if they just told law enforcement and something happened, civilians would sue;

2. law enforcement would tell their wives and families and someone would tell the media anyway;

3. because civilians have helped in the war on terror when they have reported suspicious activity.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Terrorists win when they cause terror, hence the name terrorists.