Posted on 12/28/2015 1:29:15 PM PST by presidio9
This question reflects understandable anxiety following a major terrorist attack, not just in New York and Washington. Americans are apprehensive, so it’s worth examining this detail. The short answer is that New York and Washington are more likely to be attacked by terrorists than other American cities. But before you head for the hills, let’s try to calibrate the actual risk. First the history:
Terrorist attacks have occurred across the country. From the late 1960s to the 1980s, six metropolitan areas accounted for about two-thirds of the incidents reflecting the areas of operation of various extremist groups: Miami (due to the bombing campaign of anti-Castro extremists), New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles.
New York historically took first place, owing to its large, diverse population and the abundance of foreign diplomatic targets connected with the United Nations. Whatever quarrel motivated the terrorists, a suitable target could be found. New York is also the center of global capitalism while Washington is the nation’s capital and symbolizes American policies.
Terrorists love to mention New York in their threats. New York was the scene of the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and later the 9/11 attacks. Many of the al Qaeda-inspired terrorist plots uncovered since 9/11 were based in New York — more than any other urban area. However,
-SNIP- Domestic intelligence efforts have achieved a remarkable record since 9/11. (The New York Police Department has the largest and probably the best counterterrorist unit in the country.) Of more that fifty jihadist plots nationwide, the FBI and local police have uncovered and thwarted all but a handful—they are batting 900.
So yes, New York and Washington are more likely terrorist targets than other U.S. cities, but
-SNIP-
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
Agitprop. The terrorism issue hurts the left, thus one of their mouthpieces is mobilized to spin the tale that”it’s really safe out there.”
Like a chapter out of Animal Farm, really.
Really.The indigenous ferals are more of a threat than Muzzie terrorists.
We/family had a trip planned for DC a few weeks ago. Cancelled because of the threats made...I felt no reason to walk into a hornets nest.
Arguably, the loss of some of our urban cesspits might be a blessing.
Actaully, that was a native NYer joke. Of course there are people who work in Times Square every day, media people, et cetera.
But is a fact that the overwhelming percentage of people you see on TV every year, those who sit for hours in cattle pens to "watch the ball drop," are from somewhere else.
If I search my mind, I probably do know a few NYers who have done this once in their lives, but it was always because there was someone visiting from out of town. There are some things native NYers just don't do (or don't admit it anyway), because it's just "too touristy." On top of that list, ahead of visiting the Statue of Liberty, is spending New Year's Eve in Times Square. If you are not aware of this, I'm guessing you are not a New Yorker.
No, you should feel terrorized.
Mission accomplished.
Turn in your guns.
In fairness, I went to high school across the street from the Bronx Zoo, and was on the track team. We used to run in the Zoo every Wednesday, when admission was free. As a result, not only have I been to the Zoo more than any adult I know, but when my brothers take their kids there they ask me to come with them. Because I know every inch of it like a Navajo -not that it is all that complicated.
My work today takes me to the NY Botanical Garden (also across the street) all the time. In early 2001 I worked at the top of 1 WTC. And ever 5th grade class has the compulsory trip to the Statue of Liberty. But you're a NYer, so you know what I'm talking about. Times Square on New Years Eve is the Ninth Ring of Hell to natives.
Speaking 5th grade trips of the Statue, when I worked downtown it used to amuse me watching clueless teachers take their classes down Rector St. on the way to the ferry. They would walk right past the grave of Alexander Hamilton without realizing it.
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