General Discussion

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)

16. To the West? Neither. Overall? Hard to predict, but I guess ISIS if you go by death toll.

Sat Sep 20, 2014, 05:44 AM

Sep 2014

My guess is that

ISIS will kill a number of Westerners in the low double figures
The current Ebola outbreak will kill a number of westerners in single figures
The total ISIS death toll will be in five or conceivably six figures
The total death toll from the current outbreak of Ebola will be in four to five figures.

That said, it's more likely that I've underestimated the ebola death toll by multiple orders of magnitude than that ISIS will start WWIII. But, even so, I think they're the one likely to cause more death, and much more non-fatal suffering.

I note, however, that these are neither close to being the scariest anti-western military/political force (China, Russia) nor the scariest disease (AIDS, malaria, TB). They're both just causes du jour.

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45 replies

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Which is scarier?... [View all] TeeYiYi Sep 2014 OP

I voted for Ebola distantearlywarning Sep 2014 #1

:/ ..nt TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #2

"I voted for Ebola" NuclearDem Sep 2014 #3

This poll was actually created with sincerity... TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #4

I doubt that ISIS will directly kill me FrodosPet Sep 2014 #5

Iran doesn't have any nuclear weapons. DisgustipatedinCA Sep 2014 #37

I saw part of the 700 Club the other day. Coventina Sep 2014 #6

Tell your scared friends and family... ReRe Sep 2014 #12

Thanks ReRe. ..nt TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #15

I see all that talk they do as "selling" the war to the American people. Jamastiene Sep 2014 #26

Yip... ReRe Sep 2014 #31

Poverty. winter is coming Sep 2014 #7

Other: The GOP and their corporate owners, scarier by far................ wandy Sep 2014 #8

Americans didn't take HIV seriously... TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #10

Here's the thing: HIV and Ebola aren't one and the same. AverageJoe90 Sep 2014 #14

, blkmusclmachine Sep 2014 #9

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #11

Ebola is scary.....but it's highly unlikely to cause any problems in the U.S. AverageJoe90 Sep 2014 #13

To the West? Neither. Overall? Hard to predict, but I guess ISIS if you go by death toll. Donald Ian Rankin Sep 2014 #16

being where i am i'm more scared of drunk Drivers and Gun Nuts, if i was in the MIddle EAst JI7 Sep 2014 #17

Related to the question (toon): TBF Sep 2014 #18

! TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #20

! with tee. nt seabeyond Sep 2014 #29

Not voting but... Chan790 Sep 2014 #19

What if ISIS sends Ebola infected martyrs to Europe and/or the USA? VScott Sep 2014 #21

What if ISIS.... TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #23

kick TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #22

Ebola. logosoco Sep 2014 #24

I agree with you... TeeYiYi Sep 2014 #25

Ebola doesn't frighten me because I am in the US. I can completely understand your fear though. Marrah_G Sep 2014 #34

I am putting a lot of faith in the Peace Corps! logosoco Sep 2014 #35

It's sad with all the resources this planet gives us so many are in poverty Marrah_G Sep 2014 #41

I've heard that ebola in the US would not be as lethal as in Africa... fadedrose Sep 2014 #27

what a question. tossup. is the only way i can say. this is why. neither will effect me. seabeyond Sep 2014 #28

For me it's the idiots texting while driving Lurks Often Sep 2014 #30

I'd rather get beheaded. bigwillq Sep 2014 #32

Neither is a huge threat to the US in my opinion Marrah_G Sep 2014 #33

Things that are scarier - right here Algernon Moncrieff Sep 2014 #36

Global climate change, worldwide corporatism, militarized police riots. JEB Sep 2014 #38

+1 progressoid Sep 2014 #40

Other. liberal_at_heart Sep 2014 #39

kick TeeYiYi Oct 2014 #42

Fearmongering media mixed with the High God called Money. uppityperson Oct 2014 #43

Anyone who says ISIS is scarier than Ebola, at this point,... TeeYiYi Oct 2014 #44

kick TeeYiYi Oct 2014 #45