[EternalHope]

You know, I am basically a doomer type but even I am starting to wonder if the continuing terror threat in the US has been overblown. It really conflicts me. How can my state have had 17 alleged instances of ferry system reconnoitering yet nothing has happened? Flipping back and forth, one day I'm afraid that the largest surprise attack in history will occur and the next day I'm convinced nothing more will ever be heard from these people.

Me too. As a fellow Washingtonian, I also share a particular fondness for ferries. They seem to be an easy, high profile, target, even though capturing/destroying one would not damage the nation as a whole.

On balance, I am still on the "largest surprise attack in history" side. The reason is not the barrage of Al Qaida propaganda. Yeah, yeah, they hate us, they are truly evil, and they would vaporize us all if they could. But that does not mean they can...

I still think the attack is coming because I trust the President and his men, I don't believe they would deliberately overplay this, and they seem to take it very, very seriously.

[tmp02]

The USD continues to plummet into the end of Ramadan.

USD is down to $83.74

[ladyjane]

I feel conflicted the way you do. However, during the campaign I happened to talk to an old friend who has been VERY involved with Kerry for a long time. We were having a very light, humorous conversation. When I casually asked if he thought the whole terror threat was a political ploy on the part of the White House - a perfect opportunity to bash Bush - his face grew dark, he lowered his voice and he denied it was a political thing. His reaction reinforced my worries.