Posted on 09/24/2001 6:36:53 PM PDT by TheWriter
Several years ago, I had the occasion to meet and talk with a member of the FBI’s International Terrorism Task Force. I was friends with a few federal police officers, so their social gatherings inevitably included individuals entrenched in the FBI and other branches of law enforcement. While the details of our conversation will not be made public, the information I obtained during our conversation, and during other conversations with trusted friends, reinvigorated my desire to learn as much as possible about threats to our national security.
Thus, when the shattering events of September 11 unfolded before the nation’s eyes, I was horrified, but not particularly surprised. In the back of my mind was the awareness, the potential, for this level of devastation to occur; however, since I am not psychic, I could never determine where, or in what form, the attack would materialize. You see, the level of comfort most people enjoyed until September 11 was already shaken for me several years ago…when I realized that the monsters were not skulking about in some distant country, but here, active, in our own shores.
Two things should be strikingly obvious to anyone with even a smattering of knowledge on terrorist activities: this wasn’t the first attack against American territory, and it most certainly will not be the last. The peaceniks preaching love need to buy a clue; for over 20 years, we tried peace. It didn’t work. The ninnies who are already twisting their knickers over the possibility of a retaliatory strike should unbind said garments and face reality: whether we launch a retaliatory strike or not, the terrorist attacks will continue. Deal with it. Accept it. Wrap your mind around it because it will happen.
We have two choices: either sit back like ready victims or fight this evil everywhere, in any way, we can. We don’t stop murderers and rapists by cringing in fear and praying they will cease their brutality; we hunt them down and bring them to justice. If we don’t stop them, nothing else will.
Further, the ninnies really do need to stop blaming superfluous silliness as the source for these attacks. This has nothing to do with the Kyoto Treaty, the Racial Conference, or any other global agreement. In any given year, there are over 100 terrorist attacks across the globe. Lest the Bush bashers forget, the first attempt on the World Trade Towers occurred in 1993, during President Clinton’s stint in the White House, long before President Bush was a figure on the political landscape. Only an act of Divine Goodness prevented that bomb from wreaking the kind of damage we saw several days ago, so deal with it. Accept it. Wrap your mind around it.
But I digress…
Last weekend, my husband and I engaged in a conversation not meant for children. We talked, candidly and painfully, about the terrorists’ next course of action. In near simultaneous agreement, we both voiced our concerns about biological weapons. They are insidious, effective, undetectable in aerosol form, and will increase the body count exponentially. We already know that in 1997 and 1998, China was supplying anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF), or hydrofluoric acid (a precursor for the chemical weapon agent Sarin) to Iran and other countries. Inactive Anthrax spores have been recovered in the United States. Our country’s ability to respond to a biological or chemical weapons agent is severely limited.
According to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies, the top five (5) biological threats are Anthrax, Plague, Smallpox, Tularemia, and Botulinum Toxin.
In the case of Anthrax, symptoms occur usually 2 days after exposure, although some cases have been reported several weeks after exposure. Patients usually die 1-3 days later. Initial symptoms include a high fever and cough. Treatment must begin before symptoms appear; if not, the mortality rate can reach as high as 90%.
In the case of Plague, symptoms can occur 1 to 6 days after exposure. It can be treated and contained. If treated, the mortality rate is less than 5%. If untreated, the mortality rate reaches 100%.
Smallpox is considered the most effective of all biological weapons. The incubation period can range up to 2 weeks and is easily transmitted from person to person. The symptoms include headache, backache, high fever, and can include abdominal pain and delirium. It has a mortality rate of 30%. At one point, individuals were vaccinated against Smallpox; however, these vaccinations ceased after 1980 (due to the apparent eradication of naturally occurring Smallpox) and a person’s immunity to it will now be severely impaired (even if they were vaccinated).
While no cases of person to person infection of Tularemia are noted, it can be absorbed through eating infected meat, handling exposed surfaces, or through direct inhalation of spores. Tularemia is considered the most infectious, requiring the least amount of exposure before contamination occurs. The incubation range is anywhere from 1 to 14 days, with symptoms generally appearing 3 to 5 days after exposure. The symptoms include unexplained febrile seizures (convulsions or shaking not necessarily accompanied by a fever). The mortality rate can range from 30% to 60% of all those exposed.
Johns Hopkins considers Botulinum Toxin "the single most poisonous substance known." While mortality rates were not provided, the level of prolonged care for recovering victims would ensure that many die due to lack of necessary equipment, particularly artificial respirators.
After reviewing the pertinent facts on the top five known biological threats, we drew up an action plan for our household. At the first sign of a "flu" outbreak, everyone in our home will become "mysteriously" ill. We will remain in our house for several days, carefully watching the news. If, in fact, it’s nothing more than a flu, we will have used up a few sick days. If not, we plan to keep at least 14 days worth of supplies in the house – just in case.
In the event outside contact is necessary, I will be the one to do it. No, I don’t want to die; but if a biological weapon is released, the rampant panic and ensuing chaos for the survivors means one thing – Darwin in action. Survival of the fittest. My husband, physically stronger, has a greater constitution, better survival skills, and a deadlier aim. I need for him to live, to protect our son in an unknown world that would emerge beyond the outbreak.
Even discussing this eventuality distressed my husband immensely. He rejected the plan outright, until I used every weapon in my personal arsenal – from brutal logic to wily, feminine tears, to hammer my point home. Like our many insurance policies, our will and trusts, our personal firearms, and other carefully constructed safety nets, I hope never to use this one.
No, I don’t want to die – but I’ll risk it if I have to, for the sake of those I love more than I could ever love myself. ***
The Y2K syndrome lives on!
Buy; hoard; store; build shelters; hide; get gas masks;
store gasoline in your attic... etc etc etc..
And most of all, accept losing Constitutional rights.
(Oh yeah, and buy water by the mega-gallons)
Jeesh
The Y2K syndrome lives on!
Buy; hoard; store; build shelters; hide; get gas masks;
store gasoline in your attic... etc etc etc..
And most of all, accept losing Constitutional rights.
(Oh yeah, and buy water by the mega-gallons)
Jeesh
Shelter-in-Place has been proven effective when there is insufficient time to evacuate. The Shelter-in-Place steps are:
· Go inside you home or the home closest to you.
· Take you household pets inside with you, but only if it can be done quickly.
· Begin Shelter-in-Place procedures by closing all windows, doors, vents and fireplace flews.
· Turn off all heating and cooling ventilation systems.
· Turn off all devices that circulate air into and through the house, such as window and attic fans, and swamp coolers.
· Move everyone into an interior room, such as a bath, take a phone with you.
· Turn on radio.
· Do not use phone unless it is an emergency.
· Cover windows, doors, and ducts with pre-cut plastic sheets and duct tape. (Plastic trash bags, aluminum foil, duct tape, wet towels or wet rags may be used.)
· Turn on warm water. Water vapor in the air can help remove ammonia vapor and increases the temperature and pressure of the room which will help prevent vapors from entering the room.
· Stay inside and wait for further instruction by radio, telephone, or until LEPC officials say you can safely leave.
After the emergency is over, you may be instructed to open your windows and doors to ventilate the building, and go outside
Likely your best protection for chemical and biological attacks as the exposure times will likely be short.
Or maybe it IS.
A slew of Russian scientists have confirmed that they began aggressively pursuing a smallpox variant as a biological weapon the year the United States discontinued its vaccination program. Within the last year, the United States government authorized the mass production of additional smallpox vaccinations; however, they will not be ready for the public as a whole until 2004.
Among the many treaty violations China participated in was the distribution of containers, laboratory supplies, and components (including chemical precursors and spores) for biological and chemical weapons. The violating countries included Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Please feel free to examine any of the GOA (General Accounting Office) or CRS (Congressional Research Service) reports on these.
Two weeks of food is actually considered a good amount to store in the event of any emergency.
Further, no where in the article does it mention giving up rights. It discusses what the Government considers the top 5 biological threats, what their symptoms are, and how long it will take before symptoms occur.
My eyesight is not the best, can you direct me to where in the article this is espoused?
Don't get me wrong here, I share your concern for the potential loss of constitutional rights. I'm just having a difficult time finding anything in this article that mentions such.
Oh, and about that Y2K stuff? Hoo boy! That's about as crazy as some terrorists taking out the WTC with some hijacked planes, aint it? Jeesh, some people, huh?! That stuff aint never gonna happen here!
HOW YOU STOP TERRORISM??
CLEAN SHIP BY RIDDING AMERICA OF ANTI-AMERICANS and SOCIALISTS AND TERRORISTS.
THE BRADY BUNCH, CLINTON, GORE, SCHUMER, FINESTEIN, HANDGUN CONTROL INC. AS THEY ARE THE ENEMY WITHIN OUR BORDERS.
THE AMERICAN CITIZEN IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE ALWAYS.
THROW THE RASCELS OUT!!!!!
HERE IS THE REAL STORY
(THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISARMING US)
http://www.saveourguns.com/peapodschumer.jpg
HERE IS THE REAL STORY ON ARMING PILOTS.
FIVE THOUSAND LOST LIVES FOR THE WANT OF TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DOLLARS.
Israel Airlines bolts the Cockpit door and all Pilots and copilots carry Firearms.
(TELL THE AIRLINE PRESIDENTS AND CEO'S)
New Release
Ponder for a moment.
We trust a pilot with a 30 million-dollar plane knowledgeable of complex airplane functions, but government policy will not allow them to operate a simple firearm.
I’LL FLY AGAIN WHEN PILOTS ARE ARMED.
Israel Airlines bolts the Cockpit door and all Pilots and copilots carry Firearms.
Scanning the websites this week the following thread from Pilots, Law Enforcement, and American Citizens discuss ways to take positive action against air terrorism.
We trust a fancy security question (Thanks to Jim Kallstom, former FBI, did you pack your bags?) but not millions of active and retired law enforcement officers to Citizen Carry on an airplane.
May I rant for a second! Get these liberal, antigun activists out of our government decision making process. Consider, Israel Airlines policy is to bolt the door, arms it pilots, and has armed travelers in the cabin.
We allow lowly-paid gate-guards to gate dis-arm us, creating a "killing zone of disarmed citizens", as passingers "do battle" in the sky with terrorists, using passion for weapons because misguided government policy has left us defenseless.
The government can not protect you when the terrorist is eyeball to eyeball with you. Now they have ban my pocketknife used to clean my nails. What next, bottles, because they can be smashed for a weapon??
Most all of the former military pilots strapped firearms to their legs when on active duty. Today they are considered not capable, wear the wrong uniform, or untrust worthy.
This BS about putting a 9mm hole in the skin of an airplane will bring it down is more rhetoric and fiction than fact. Just ask the thousand of airmen who returned from flights over Germany in WWII. How about the 747 over Hawaii with a 20-foot hole in the side. Still got a problem with possible decompression? Consider the alternative!
I’ll trust anyday my life to any active or retired law enforcement officer to CITIZEN CARRY on any airline.
I’ll trust anyday my life to any pilot or copilot active or retired to carry on any airline.
I’ll trust any American citizen willing to CITIZEN CARRY after extensive training to carry on any airline. It is a huge responsibility, however, the current "Killing Zones" set up by faulty thinking is killing our husbands, wives, children, and our nation.
I am sure thousands perhaps millions of American’s would trust their life to armed pilots, copilots, air crew members, retired, policemen, FBI, CIA, ATF, or American Citizens willing to train, quality, and stay current with cabin safety issues keeping America airlines safe.
I personally trust all of the above personnel, rather than phony security questions, low-pay air guards, unlocked backdoor food and cleaning functions or gates at airports, or government officials with big titles.
WHO DO YOU TRUST THE GOVERNMENT? OR DO YOU TRUST HONEST AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO LIVE AND BREATH FAMILY SAFETY WHEN TRAVELING?
What do you want in your cockpit, a pilot and copilot with a firearm, or a terrorist? 2,180 dollars (four colt pistols)would have prevented all four terrorist acts and saved five thousand lives.
Government will spend billions of dollars with highly visible, and breach-able security that irritates American citizens during check-in when other more effective obvious solutions exist. Just ask Israel.
Thousands of American veterans, retired LEO's and American Citzens want to sign up today to fight terrorism. Don't tell them they are unqualified. If you do tell them they are unqualifed, they may have a word or two for you.
Visit keepandbeararms.com to carry the fight.
Paul Williams Ninth generation American Patriot
WWW.KEEPANDBEARARMS.COM
Advising Director
end Five thousand American Citizens lost their life for the want of two thousand one hundred eight dollars.
(TELL THE AIRLINE PRESIDENTS AND CEO'S)
Other websites with Pilot talk
( Federal Observer help pilots reclaim cockpits )
http://www.federalobserver.com/index.php?section=Arm+Pilots+NOW%21
(Five thousand lose live for want of a shoelace)
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3ba6ac034145.htm
http://www.sierratimes.com/archive/files/sep/18/arfs091801.htm
( Kamikaze Pilots on U.S. Soil)
http://www.sierratimes.com/archive/files/sep/14/arfl091401.htm
http://www.sierratimes.com/archive/files/sep/18/arnj091801.htm
http://www.saveourguns.com/selfdefense.htm
http://www.2asisters.org/safety/index.htm
<a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=24549”>( Captains to FAA Focus on cockpits Pilots argue for bullet-proof doors, cameras, guns)</a><P> http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=24549 <P> end <P>
NBC/ABC Warfare Survival Skills Links
Also, I'll cross-link the above with your article.
plan for the worst; pray and work for the best.
Odd that some would fault you for taking the time to sit down with your husband and make plans for the very worst possibilities. Better now than when there is no time left to talk and think rationally.
Well done. Thank you for posting this.
1. Be alert for signs of strange activity, crop dusters over highly populated areas is a good one.
2. Be prepared to stay inside for a while, 2 weeks may be excessive but not crazy.
3. Keep a supply of dust masks or surgical masks capable of filtering 1 micron or less. These are easy to get and inexpensive. Many people have bought military protective masks, if you have one ensure you have real filters not training filters and you have spare filters on hand. The military masks are overkill, but if you have them use them.
It is almost certain that you will never need these. But it never hurts to be prepared.
I believe they have ordered 40 million doses. I assume they think they can contain outbreak to a number less than that. If the government deems the threat sufficient to take this action then one must assume that the threat is real. Y2K preparations by the government were also sufficient to motivate me to make basic preparations to survive in case of calamity. In the military we called these contingency plans. You want to have a plan regardless of which direction fate leads you. It's not to be scoffed at but admired and advocated. The Writer will be in a position to help those that are panicking because they do not have a plan. That is good citizenship and a good example of self defense.
Anyone who says it's not a legitimate threat is employing denial as a defense mechanism.
Not that there really is any. Gas masks are better for a chemical attack which is instantly obvious. A biological attack is likely to occur with no instant obvious sign and most won't be aware of it until they've probably been exposed. Very few could be saved by medical personnel as resources would be quickly exhausted.
Your plan seems like a sensible approach, but the best solution is use any means necessary to stop an attack of this nature before it can be launched.
Oh yeah, that can't happen here...
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