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gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

I grew up for the most part in the UK when the threat from the IRA bombing campaigns was a fact of everyday life. I also spent some time in Germany at the time of the Baader Meinhof/RAF attacks.

Maybe because of the times I grew up in I'm usually pretty aware of hazards such as unattended baggage in stations and airports, but at the same time I've always believed in carrying on normal life and I was NOT one of those who stopped flying after 9/11. A general travel warning from the Foreign Office does not deter me from moving to Indonesia.

It's easy for me to say that right now - I'm not up at the sharp end like those colleagues of ours in parts of Saudi where fairly random attacks on westerners have occurred recently.

Should I be scared? Are you?

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 5:29 pm Post subject: Depends on where you are

Dear gugelhupf,
If I were still in the Kingdom, I think I'd feel at least a bit threatened, but I don't feel that here in Santa Fe, NM.
The difference? Well, over there you can't help but think of yourself as something of a target, based simply on the fact that you're a "recognizable Westerner" (though, admittedly, the terrorists don't seem to make much, if any, distinction regarding whom they shoot/blow up)
But here I'm just one of roughly 293,365,000 other folks, so the odds of my being "targeted" would appear to be considerably lower.
Regards,
John

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Put it this way - I'm uneasy.

If terrorists can strike at Madrid, they can strike at Rome. The security services here don't have a high reputation, and I'd imagine that Rome is a soft target.

Like you, Gugelhupf, I also grew up in the days of the IRA. I've also travelled relatively extensively, and I don't consider myself easily scared. However, I think that terrorism has moved on from the 1970s. Issues have become much more global, in the sense that what happens thousands of miles away can impact on you. It used to be that the IRA would strike at targets within the UK. You now get disaffected groups striking at any Western target. The worrying thing (for me, at least) is that the element of chance is so high. You may be on the train that gets blown up - you may miss that train by minutes.

I have to admit that I have changed my day-to-day habits because of the terrorism threat - I am worried enough that I don't think it's any longer a question of "if", but "when".

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

What a bunch of cry-babies!

I don�t think any so-called terrorist group is going to hunt you down in Rome, or any other �soft target�.

If people are so concerned about being �targets�, they should stay at home with their mummies.

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:17 pm Post subject: Mummy Dearest

Dear Hector-Lector,
Just curious - have you ever been in a life-threatening situation, teaching junior high, for example?
It's not paranoia when they're really out to get you.
Regards,
John

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

Life-threatening situations?

Youth in Uk - oh no, there go the nasty IRA.

Libyan bombing in Omdurman, 1984.

Sicily - say no more.

Saudi Arabia bullshit.

First Gulf War - driving past the chicken farm as it was hit by a Scud.

Caught in a crowd of secondary school students during the start of the Intifadah, in Oman.

Face-off with English football hooligan/scum in Bratislava, 2003.

Catching the train before the bombs in Atoche in Madrid, 2004.

Living in the world, threatened by Bush.

Yes, i have had my moments.

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:41 pm Post subject: Fowl play

Dear Hector_Lector,
Chicken farm? I don't recall a Scud hitting any chicken farm. One did hit a building just down the street from my apartment in Riyadh, though.

Aramas · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:42 pm Post subject:

We're all far more likely to die as a result of a malfunctioning toaster than at the hands of terrorists.

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:44 pm Post subject: Toast of the Town

Dear Aramas,
By Jove, then I'm absolutely safe, not eating toast or even having a toaster in my abode.
I'll sleep well tonight.
Regards,
John

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

Famous (well, famous in Qatar) chicken slaughter near Doha.

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:48 pm Post subject: Chicken Soup for the Soul

Dear Hector_Lecotr,
Hmm, well that would help explain all that low-priced poultry in the markets shortly thereafter.
Regards,
John

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

The chickens were happy to die, knowing that they would not have to suffer liberation at the hands of the Americans. (Now where did I put those bananas..?)

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject: Bananas have a peel

Dear Hector_Lector,
Proving once more that there ARE fates worse than death. Lord, I hope the Americans don't come here (again) to Santa Fe to liberate me.
Regards,
John
P.S. The bananas are in the glass bowl on the kitchen counter. But take only one, mind you; remember what the doctor said.

Aramas · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 11:27 pm Post subject: Re: Toast of the Town

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe