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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (31812)	2/27/2004 9:04:44 AM
From: epicure	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793605

I think we are dealing with a deep rooted false dichotomy- either we admit terror is the number one priority and we are afraid of terrorist OR we are "ostriches" who "don't care" about nukes and bioweapons in the hands of terrorists... It's absolutely ridiculous (insane?) to frame the problem that way, but after this much dialog on it, I don't think you're going to get through. But who knows? Perhaps miracles DO happen.

To: Lane3 who wrote (31812)	2/27/2004 2:34:50 PM
From: Neeka	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793605

I am not afraid of bathtubs because they don't lurk in public places with bombs in suitcases. I am not afraid of bathtubs because they don't ride subways and have the ability to open little jars of Hell. I am not afraid of bathtubs because they cannot destroy my countries economy in one fell swoop. I'm not afraid of bathtubs because I KNOW they won't bring bombs onto planes or buses or into malls or restaurants. And I am not afraid of bathtubs because they don't have any intentions what so ever of totally destroying me or my fellow Americans, Christians, Jews, Infidels or anyone else they deem an enemy. And how do I know that? Because they haven't said so publicly in any form or manner. M

To: Lane3 who wrote (31812)	2/27/2004 3:33:59 PM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793605

The greater risk is to our country--to our way of life, our economy, our freedoms. Well, Karen....Finally, you do understand the fear after all. Bathtubs, anthrax, blinders, and whatever else is tossed in the way aside... ....I for one think that it is the duty of each citizen to be as prepared as possible, and be prepared to defend our country in any possible if it again comes under attack. Once we are mentally and physically prepared as much as possible, then we can go about our business of daily living.

To: Lane3 who wrote (31812)	2/27/2004 9:27:32 PM
From: Jacob Snyder	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793605

re: personal risk assessment: 1. risks that have low probability of a very bad outcome, are impossible to do any rational cost-benefit analysis. We always decide those kind of questions, by falling back on unstated assumptions, or fears. 2. We are far less tolerant, of risks that are not under our personal control. 40,000 Americans die each year in auto accidents, but nobody would fly, if 40,000 airline passengers were dying each year. That's because we feel we have control over the risk of driving our car, while the risk of flying is under the control of some other anonymous idiot. So we insist on a far lower risk, from airplanes. The risk of dying from an anthrax terrorist attack, is under someone else's control, and is high-damage/low probability. So, we won't accept any appreciable risk, but can't rationally figure out what that risk is.