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Sean, you have to admit that at some point, MOST of us (excepting people like yourself who have devoted a significant portion of your waking hours to this terrorism threat) need to return to our "ordinary lives" and stop worrying so much and living in fear of the terrorists.

While I understand your "Ostrich" mode comment, I think you need to put yourself in the "common man's" shoes and understand that this "doom and gloom" cloak-and-dagger war of words has now gone on for so long that it is inevitable that most of us are going to throw in the towel (as I have) and say "If it happens, it happens, but I'm not going to worry about it and let it affect my life or lifestyle."

That's just my .02 cents worth, no disrespect intended Sean.

Right, that is understood completely.

By the same token if what we report becomes old and bothersome and the ostrich mode looks much more appealing then I would expect ad hominem personal attacks be better left unspoken/unposted (ie: Lurk mode being synonymous with ostrich mode).

This not for everybody, just some.

I would not generalize and say "MOST" or even "most", but based upon what I have heard there are a LOT MORE PEOPLE who want to be informed than not. That's why I continue, God give me strength, that IS why I continue.

Additionally, not just a few of the folks requesting more information, not less, sooner rather than later, are in local, state and federal law enforcement. These people also run the spectrum from soccer mom's to nascar dad's. Blue collar, white collar and everyone inbetween. They're not just people from the USA, they're from all over the world.
These are the folks we're here for.

To those would would rather not be bothered, hey, that's cool. I understand. Surf elsewhere.

But, when unsettling things are being reported in the media and you get a hankering to know what is really going on, come on back, we'll be here in these forums/threads and at several of the sites we link from homelandsecurityus.com and we'll have the best information we can get our hands on.

That's a promise.

Such is life in the world of intelligence. Many dead ends, false alarms, cold trails, intentional misdirection and, yes, wrong conclusions. Lots and lots of frustration.

I came into this thread with the attitude that you describe re: "If it happens, it happens, but I'm not going to worry about it and let it affect my life or my lifestyle." And I haven't let what's been posted on this thread change that. Why can't you adopt that attitude and still read and participate and share info. It seems as though some feel like they were promised something and because they haven't gotten it they are disappointed, even angry in some cases. (Not you in particular asb3pe). If you give no credence to certain sites, then don't read them. If someone cites info from those sites, ignore the info (if you can). Glean what you can from sources you feel comfortable with and let those who will, put their own credibility on the line. To be honest I think a lot of what has been posted here by many (even me) is no less alarmist than what some are accusing certain "intelligence" sites of, and they (we) haven't been critcized or humiliated nearly to the extent those site owners and related parties have. (Although we have been criticized) The only difference is, IMHO, is that it is easier to voice a seemingly wild-ass conjecture, no matter how well-founded one may feel it is, in a group of many like-minded people. Whereas these sites, assuming their hearts are in the right place, are essentially stepping out there and putting what they feel are well-founded opinions and observations on a web page all by itself. If you question their motives that's fine, but don't make it a personal thing. Just ignore their info, don't let it steal your joy. Anyone paying attention to this board suffering from emotional anxiety or feelings of imminent harm, or who is angry in general and made more angry by what they perceive as irrationalism, self-promoters and gloom and doomers should drop their keyboard and slowly back up, take a deep breath, approach their keyboard and go to another topic entirely. I don't say this lightly as I have seen some posts from a few indicating one, both or all of the above. This is not intended as a slam on anyone, nor a defense of anyone, just something I've been wanting to say. There is no doubt in my mind that the majority of the people participating on this thread share the same concerns, want to know as much as possible and have their hearts and minds in the right place.

For my disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any website involved in the collection of any kind of intelligence. I do not personally know anyone who has been posting on this board. Just my .02 cents.

Whew, now I feel better.