Protecting us from whom?

[bluedeathray]

According to various sources, it at least 20 times more likely to get killed by police than a Muslim "terrorist". Some sources put that figure at 200 times plus- more likely.

This debate isn't about whether those people deserved to die. It's a question of who/what represents the larger threat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_killings_by_law_enforcement_officers_in_the_United_States


http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/09/10/316260/terrorism-expert-since-911-only-33-deaths-from-muslim-terrorism-vs-150000-deaths-from-murders/?mobile=nc

[kentuck]

1. Them!

Don't you know who they are?

[DCBob]

2. Did you ever consider that the anti-terror stuff might actually be working..

and that is why we are more likely to be killed by police than a terrorist?

[disidoro01]

3. no

it's boogie man stuff. But, what do you expect a people to do when you kill their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers.
We've created this enemy, they don't hate us for what we have and who we are, they hate us for what we have done. So, if there are this number of thwarted attacks (I am skeptical) lets actually work to fix the real problem.

[magellan]

5. Stop creating terrorists?? That's crazy talk!

How in the world would we justify our bloated DoD and sweeping surveillance state?

(I agree with you. )

[disidoro01]

6. The

trickle down would be horrific. Paying down debts, increasing services for people, recreating our educational services, etc. To scary, I think I'll read how arming cannibalistic Syrian rebels will keep us safe.

[magellan]

8. Remember to check under your bed first for terrarists!

I like you. Big welcome!

[The Link]

4. Terra, Terra, Terra!!!

[Buzz Clik]

7. irrational fear -- part of being human.

I keep hearing we should be terrified by the surveillance programs. That seems irrational, too.

[moondust]

9. Many seem to be missing the point.

The problem government must deal with is a potential "mass attack" such as a dirty bomb detonation in a crowded city that could kill hundreds or thousands in one blast and wound hundreds or thousands more: Oklahoma City x10 or worse.

The odds of an individual being killed by police are irrelevant to the discussion.

[sibelian]

10. How about not bombing their countrymen?

Would that work, do you think?

NOOOOOO. They aren't retaliating. That's not how war works at all.

[moondust]

11. Might.

But you can't assume that everything is about evening the score for some past grievances. Was Timothy McVeigh retaliating for some injustice done to him? No, he had a political agenda. Add religious fanaticism and ignorance to the mix and things get unpredictable pretty fast.