Just read and be informed

[timmyquest]

As the title states...please just read, and be informed

This article:

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=842422004

[aam1234]

Hi timmyquest,

May I ask how old are you.

[IndyJeff]

Hi timmyquest,

May I ask how old are you.


What the hell has his age got to do with it? Or is it that because he might possibly believe the article you think he is young and guilable?

[Belmondo]

Oh, oh. My first challenge as moderator.
:wink:

(Note to self: Monitor this thread.)

[Tom W]

Oh no - its the pesky moderator again!!!!!!!!

We must speak in code.

"The little lens wants to break the mount off the 1Ds - I repeat, the little lens wants to break the mount off the 1Ds"

[Belmondo]

Curses. Foiled again.

This job is going to be tougher than I thought. :?

[Mills]

Thanks Tim. We need to see this stuff. Hell, I want a copy of the Report.

[Tom W]

Ouch!

I just bit my tongue..... :shock:

[timmyquest]

Hi timmyquest,

May I ask how old are you.


18....

I hope this isnt something you folks take lightly

U.S. Warns Sports Officials of Al Qaeda Threat
By Deborah Charles

HERNDON, Va. (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Friday warned top executives of major American sports organizations that al Qaeda may strike soon -- possibly at large sports events.

In a seminar for commissioners and other top officials of professional and amateur sports organizations, Ridge and other Homeland Security officials asked for help in ensuring safety at and around major sporting events.

He repeated a warning that the government fears al Qaeda might try to stage another large-scale attack in the United States, though he said he had no details on the time, place or method.

"You are here because you know that mass public gatherings -- such as the large sports events you will be hosting in the coming year -- are potential targets," he said. "And you know that the way to protect your venues from attack is to be prepared."


Ridge and other Homeland Security officials have warned since April that al Qaeda -- the group responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people -- may take advantage of large gatherings to strike again.


"As commissioners and security directors for large, high profile events, you play a very significant role in keeping our citizens safe," Ridge told the group, representing 18 sports organizations.


The group included National Football League commissioner Paul Tagliabue, National Basketball Association deputy commissioner Russ Granik and other top officials from Major League Baseball, NASCAR and the U.S. Olympic Committee.


At the meeting, held at the Transportation Security Administration's Operation Center near Dulles International Airport, the executives were given briefings on the current security threat.


An official from the Secret Service -- the agency that coordinates all "national special security events" like the Super Bowl and the Olympics -- gave a briefing on various tactical considerations to be taken into account at large sporting events.


The FBI gave an explanation of federal efforts to protect against weapons of mass destruction, and another Secret Service official spoke about how to provide protection for athletes, the executives and fans.


"The threat we face is real," said Ridge. "But we can mitigate it by working together and planning proactively.


"We would like to ... involve the sports fans in our collective effort to keep our events secure."



07/23/04 15:59


© Copyright Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Reuters Ltd.

[Tom W]

Hi timmyquest,

May I ask how old are you.


18....

I hope this isnt something you folks take lightly

U.S. Warns Sports Officials of Al Qaeda Threat
By Deborah Charles

........



It not something taken lightly, Timmy. The problem is, as soon as something political is posted, a debate starts. That's OK - we need a good debate. But then the debate turns sour, as people take the opportunity to bash those with whom they do not agree.

I hope that this one is different, but I suspect that things will turn bitter quickly. In fact, there's already been at least one post that served as a verbal dig.

[Belmondo]

We'll see what direction this heads, but Tom W. is right... This is a very divisive issue, and different opinions are rarely expressed on a totally intellectual plane. We had a donnybrook recently that started out as a simple discussion of how photographers are being more closely scrutinized due to concerns over terrorism, and whether or not this was an encroachment of our fundamental rights. In very short order, it became a nasty, name-calling free-for-all that eventually had to be stopped by moderator intervention.

Speaking as an individual and not as a moderator, I'd much rather see our conversations at least loosely related to photography. I doubt that political debate is going to have any affect here other than to annoy, provoke, and otherwise stir things up. We're sure not going to change each others' minds any more than would a discussion on the relative merits of the great religions of the world.

[timmyquest]

I was hesitant to post this at all but the truth is i just cant see how that would be a good thing.

There is a reason i titled the thread the way i did. There is no need for discussion as this is not a political issue, rather it is a human issue. So again, just read and be informed.

[Belmondo]

There is a reason i titled the thread the way i did. There is no need for discussion as this is not a political issue, rather it is a human issue. So again, just read and be informed.

Ummmmm, Tim, there might just be other points of view out here. I would strongly suggest that you not bring up any provocative topics and then hope to limit discussion. At a bare minimum, I'm sure you'll have a lot of trouble convincing everyone here that anything dealing with the U.S. war on terrorism is based solely on humanitrian issues.

Don't lose sight of the fact that we are all friends here, but it's photography that unites us. World politics, however relevant to our individual daily lives, are not relevant to this forum. IMHO

[timmyquest]

I'm fully aware of the political and ethical and religious discussions that can arise from these types of posts. Thats not what i'm after here. If you guys want to debate Americas foreign policy then feel free...i'm not going to partake in it though as thats far from the reason i'm posting this.

The reason for a post like this is to inform any american, and anyone flying on american flights.

http://www.womenswallstreet.com/WWS/article_landing.aspx?titleid=1&articleid=711

This article is older then the first one i posted...the threat is real, just dont be shocked when something happens.

[neil_r]

I'm fully aware of the political and ethical and religious discussions that can arise from these types of posts. Thats not what i'm after here. If you guys want to debate Americas foreign policy then feel free...i'm not going to partake in it though as thats far from the reason i'm posting this.

Timmy this is at least the second time you have done this, you start a political hot potato post then abrogate any responsibility by saying it’s not for discussion just information, and that you are not going to participate.

This is a “forum” which can be defined as … debate, discussion, round table etc.

I am not advocating that we do discuss this here as I think it is an inappropriate post., what I am advocating is that If you want to get into this, why not start it on your own forum at antiwall.

N

[CyberDyneSystems]

There is an inherent arrogance in the post that is part of what would spark a debate.. or worse.

The Idea that anyone would need to be "informed" of such grave concerns via a post on a photography forum .. for one thing.

This is an international forum for discussion of our "like minded" interests in photography.

Unfortunatley where international news is concerned.. the international members of this forum may not be,. in fact most certainly WILL NOT BE like minded

And to top it off..

On a personal note, I will be flying for the first time since 911 on Wednesday... I am nervous enough as it is..

I had my flight re-routed (it was originally going to depart from Logan International,.. ) to avoid the Democratic Canovention traffic and security around the Boston Area.

Needless to say.. I am well aware that this is a bad week to be flying.

And no.. I did not require a reminder of this here on the forum I usually use to help escape the realities of life.

Thanks anyways Timmy,. but I will get my news from Peter Jennings.