Re: Terror Threats???
 

There's a lot to what you say, Taltarzak. And in many cases, the individuals that work for the government really want to do the right thing, but are hampered by the inane red tape, procedures, the "don't care" attitude of their bosses, etc. Good luck with your project - it sounds like it is really needed!

Re: Terror Threats???
 

Thanks. Lil Dancer. I have been at this in some form or another since February 1991 but the biggest hurdle has been getting the local libraries on board so that I have some credibility when I write librarians in other cities, states, and countries. Could not get anywhere with the libraries in Minneapolis when I first started this even though what I was doing was extremely trial and error. Then did not get much of anywhere from Sonoma County, CA which is near the CA wine country. Only really started seeing any concrete moves on the parts of libraries to actually do something in 1999 and 2000 and afterwards when I was based in Palm Harbor, FL.

Just hope at some point Sumter and Marion County library systems will join in this effort by getting links to the FL Victim Services Directory from their respective web-sites.

I am sure that the Sumter and Marion County Library system management is aware of my efforts as Gary Corsair of the Villages Daily Sun was kind enough to write a story about me and my efforts on May 28, 2007. This article did say that Lake County Library System had put in a link to the FL Victim Services Directory but that I was working on Marion and Sumter County Library systems.

Re: Terror Threats???
 

You bet I'm enamoured with these folks and their professionalism. I've been privileged to work with some of best people I have ever known here at Headquarters, Department of Homeland Security. IT IS ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE - that being folk who tirelessly have done more without headlines than all of the Pulitzer folk will ever know. What occurs every day, without fanfare, within the National Operations Center and all of the entities participating and supporting it is immense, and the people who do that 24/7 work and respond to more types of emergencies than most folk can imagine, and do all of the planning so that things don't happen by accident, are not headline-seekers. Yet, they do what they do for everyone, despite the hours, despite the lack of credit, despite the stress, and definitely despite others putting "spin" in the quest for unearned personal glory.

I've got another year to go before I hang it up and pass the baton. It will definitely be time to do so, because the intensity of this work is such that you just can't do it for too long without crashing. What gives me confidence in the future is seeing the actions of those around me, and especially those coming up in the ranks who will replace me and my peers.

Personally, I'm tired of the "terrorism is really politics" cry that seems to be encouraged by those within the press corps who portray all in the negative in the quest for more sponsorship money and a bigger byline. That's just crap and they know it.

No, I can't discount what I've seen and what I've been involved in since I got here. Yes, there is a difference between the political world and the professional one, and there are darned few who have been able to bridge both. I've seen some do it successfully, and others who didn't. BUT within the professionals who maintain the watch, prepare for the worst, respond to it all and deal with everyone's hell, thank God we have people who are willing, capable and successful in this - from combatting (and it IS combat) terrorism to battling Mother Nature.

Yes, this is an emotional topic for me, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I AM PROUD of this work and those with whom I work.

Re: Terror Threats???
 

WOW - I agree with SteveZ on all that he has posted. Homeland Security doesn't post everything that goes down or we would have wide spread panic about once a week. Bush gets blamed too much for a myriad of things, so I'm not surprised by some of the comments on this thread. We Americans tend to pooh pooh anything that doesn't fit into our political agenda. Osama could have been "ours" during the last presidents term of office but he passed. Bush might be a little over zealous with the "terrorist" thing but I would prefer that over what we got during the last regime. Sorry, I'm not trying to provoke anyone with this post but we have to stay alert.

Re: Terror Threats???
 

I don't normally contribute to this board, so if this was previously posted, I apologize.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich discusses the war on terror at the National Press Club

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS...ml#cnnSTCVideo

it is not politically slanted, but rather a blunt and chilling answer to a serious question posed to Newt Gingrich. It is a clearly worded warning I have yet to hear from any public figure concerning the state of world affairs. This is one the most powerful and articulate summaries of the dangers of our current situation that I have ever heard, and a mystery to me why Americans are not painfully aware of a subject of constant discussion.

Re: Terror Threats???
 

gryoung you are 100% correct.
The chilling photos of all previous bombings including the World Trade Center's first ATTEMPT" at mass destruction.
I suggest replaying the 911 videos and sounds of the bodies hitting the roof that jumped....then play the Newt Gingrich video...once per day.
I know many have seen the slogan that states...LEST WE FORGET....well here in America we forget all too soon.

Has nothing to do with party affiliation, religion or race. The radicals are out to kill as many Americans as they can.....and they will keep trying.
Our courts, our permissive pacifist view of other peoples intents will only CONTINUE to contribute to the toll.

BTK