DC, Maryland and Virginia Freepers...Input needed

10/22/02 | alisasny

[Catie]

Of course it's changed our lives, and I'm sick of it, sick of the 24-hour coverage, sick of the pundits and experts with all their speculation, but most of all, sick of the death and fear spawned by this (these?) maniac(s).

[texson66]

I'm in the Demonratic Peoples Republik of Merry(Gay)land, Howard county. Here are some of my feelings/experiences.

Last week, I started to pull into the neighborhood gas station, and I spotted a car(it was white) parked along the freeway opposite the gas station. I continued home. Next morning, I drove in and filled up at 6:30 am. There is usually about 5 or 6 cars there. I was the only one there!

When I visit strip malls I make a drive along any surrronding tree lines before I pull into the parking lot.

My son waits until the last second to RUN to the school bus. He also runs to the front door upon coming back home.

This morning I missed the news before leaving home for work in Silver Spring, MD (20 miles south). Fortunately I was able to use an alternate route to work and actually got in early. When I called my wife, she said, "Eat lunch at your desk today!" I did!

The sad thing here in MD, citizens can't carry weapons. And KKT is now making sounds to add more laws to the numerous gun laws already on the books!

I wish that we could all carry weapons openly and have a CB and/or cell phone alert system to summon aid if a citizen see or hears anything suspicious. While waiting for help, I wish some good citizen would blast he S*B with his own medicine!

My suggestion to all MD, DC, and VA types: If you are renting or sold property to a group of single, mid east men (moose-limbs) now living in that property in the last 2 years, PLEASE call the Hotline! (Better call in the 93 year-old lady that lives next door too...wouldn't want the authorities to think you are a hater/racist profiler!

[freedom4ever]

My brother lives in Columbia, Md.(Howard Co.) and they are pretty much carrying on as usual. THey are much more aware of their surrooundings. His daughter's high school football game went on as scheduled last Sat. night. His son's(2nd grader) school is on lock down, no recess, and has been for 3 weeks. Other than that, I don't know much else.

[Cicero5]

I live in Maryland. I work in PG County and live in Howard County. I have seen people running (zig zagging) across the parking lots of stores. Many people tell me that they put off buying gas until the last possible moment.

I normally like to go running after work, usually 5 or 6 miles around PG County. I have stopped doing that mostly becuase my wife asked me to. When I get gas I tend to sit in the car while pumping. It really does start to mess with your mind, particularly when everyone around you is scared.

The thing that really has me worried about this situation is the politicians that are trying to take advantage of the situation as another excuse to grab guns. Some of the threads that I have read on FR over the past few days really have me worried about our rights here in MD. Townsend and Morella seem to be the worst offenders. I hope that people don't fall for it.

[Exit148]

One of my son's VERY GOOD FRIEND is a drug sales rep. She was in tha Falls Church parking lot across from the Home Depot, earlier in the day, as it was on her route. She is now changing her route so as to by-pass parking lots, and not carrying samples that have to be loaded/unloaded from her car.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"The Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area has 5 million people. So far, we've had ten deaths. Thus, I figure my odds of being killed are 1 in 500,000."

In that same area, there are about 800 traffic fatalities per year, or more than two per day.

[LibertyGirl77]

-Instead of putting $5 or $10 dollars in my gas tank, I fill it all the way up, then drive (as infrequently as possible) until all that's left is fumes before filling up again.

-I only get gas in my own neighborhood (no easy freeway access) or in metro areas with no trees.

-I only shop for groceries in my own neighborhood (same reason).

-I only shop for groceries when absolutely necessary . . . I've been eating a lot of canned soup and pasta lately (already in cupboard).

-I eat lunch at my desk instead of going out.

-I look in detail at my surroundings before exiting my car or any building.

-I try not to walk in too straight a line when crossing streets or parking lots -- I also alternate walking with my head down, or up and looking straight ahead.

Yup, I'm a wreck. So is everyone else I know. My roommate makes a joke of it, sprinting around in circles and zig-zagging on her way into stores, laughing about it. Only it's sort of not funny, if you think about it.

[Fred Mertz]

I'm visiting the DC area this weekend. I want some of that $500K reward money. I'm also hoping they'll be some empty airplane seats as I'm going to try tomorrow for some last minute, cut-rate airplane tix. If not, I'll do the ten hour drive each way.

[Corin Stormhands]

I live in Chesterfield County, just outside the Richmond city limits. My brother works in Hanover County, just the next exit up from the Ponderosa location.

We're concerned, but not panicked. When I heard Sunday night that the schools were closed, I thought it was a little much. But as the information has surfaced about the note and the threat, I've changed my mind. Our county is the fastest growing in the state and school construction is far outpaced by home construction. Most of our schools have 10-20 trailers parked out back and kids go between the buildings and the trailers to change classes.

My wife teaches in a private school that was one of the few open on Monday. But they're closed today based on new information their superintendent received.

They can't do this indefinitely. But I think right now they're closed trying to develop a security plan. I don't mind my kids missing a couple of days for that.

Our church does a Fall Festival on Halloween. We'll still go. And after the kids come home, they'll still trick-or-treat in the neighborhood.

I'm concerned. No, I'm worried. But I'm also powerless to change anything if my family or I are the next victim(s). The stress level is up, but life goes on.

[oyez]

IMHO, the perp(s) strike. Make their way back to home base. Watch the coverage in order to plan there next move. Stop the coverage and the perp(s) will come out in the open. FWIW

[AppyPappy]

He's not shooting at your head. He's shooting at your chest. Instead of ducking, change your body profile.

The odd thing is that he doesn't seem to shoot more than once. He takes advantage of everyone ducking to beat feet.

[AppyPappy]

That's righteous bucks. Beats hunting deer.

[steve-b]

That's exactly what I've been saying for the past couple weeks, bud... "Just gimme a 9 mm and 30 ft..."

And extra magazines. I wouldn't be able to help wondering how many strategically places shots he could take before dying....

[DmBarch]

I'm visiting the DC area this weekend. I want some of that $500K reward money. I'm also hoping they'll be some empty airplane seats as I'm going to try tomorrow for some last minute, cut-rate airplane tix. If not, I'll do the ten hour drive each way.

There should be seats, as groups cancel some trips. I went through BWI a month ago, and about barfed at the signs, which featured KKT as Lt Gov. after Glenspending's title and name. Spent the night in Silver Spring, one of the shooting sites. Noted the rolling country and many trees made it easy to not be seen once you turn a corner.

[Katya]

I live close to, and travel in the areas that have been hit. I have shopped in the Aspen Hill, Rockville and Kensington area, including the Michaels since the attacks started. Usually I have to shop in the evening, so by choice I hit stores in those areas previously hit, because I figured they'd have a better police presence....this has proven to be true.
Yes, the attacks are on peoples minds, but at least in my weekly routine nothing much has changed. I act vigilantly but I also acknowledge that being hit by the shooter, is about as likely as winning a local lottery. Presently, my kids will celebrate Halloween as usual, yet like everyone else, we will be on guard.

[desertcry]

I have faced death several times in WWII, several times in US Freeways and several major surgeries, but here I am still breathing, and kicking. Sooner or later however, God will decide to retire me to eternity, so why should I or, for that matter anybody worry about getting killed by a cowardly sniper?

[holyscroller]

I just got home from Baltimore yesterday. The plane was packed. Not a single empty seat coming or going. Restaurants in the Annapolis area were all full and with waiting lists. One thing I did notice though, was how many "woodsy" areas there are in Maryland. Woods everywhere. Sure no shortage of places for the sniper to hide. It was sort of spooky driving (especially after dark) thinking there might be somebody out there with a gun aimed at you.

[holyscroller]

Check Orbitz.com for cheap tickets. I just paid $89 each way from Seattle to Baltimore. With tax and fees, the total round trip price was $204. Can't beat that, and I love the way Orbitz lets you pick the best flights.

[leadpenny]

Is the fear controlling your life or are you able to understand the odds?

Reminds me of, "Do you walk to school or carry your lunch?"

Are you implying that to understand the odds a person should have no fear? Don't think it works that way. I would be suspicious of anyone who told me they had no fear. I'm going about business as usual but, like in Vietnam, I've learned to look at every terrain feature in terms of where "Charlie" could be.

Like someone once said, "I don't wanna be in a foxhole with someone braver than I am."