News Round-Up

[TomFulp]

So here is the latest in current events...

The AP reports that a letter opened today in the office of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle "had anthrax in it," as said by President Bush. The envelope was field-tested shortly after being received, and the staffers who were exposed were being treated, he said.

Because the breathable form of Anthrax is much more difficult to produce than the non-lethal liquid form, many people are looking for the source... Fingers are being pointed at Iraq. Good excuse to blow them up, right?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Newark, N.J. was diverted Sunday after two men were seen huddled together and speaking a foreign language in the back of the plane, officials said.

Officials at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport initially received reports that the men were trying to break into the cockpit, said Aviation Director Jerry Orr. It turned out to be two Jewish men praying together in the back of the plane, he said.

At least there wasn't any racial profiling involved, eh?

There is a lot of controversy going on over racial profiling at airports. Do you feel that we have good reason to be "extra suspicious" of Arabs during this time, or is racial profiling of any form, at any time, a bad idea?

One news show actually interviewed African Americans who unanimously agreed that police should be more attentive to Arabs right now. So then the (oh boy this is a doozy) question was asked - "then why is it not ok for police to single out African Americans, who statistically account for more crime?"

Is racial profiling towards Arabs any different than racial profiling towards any other race? Do these "extreme circumstances" make it ok? Or perhaps you think racial profiling is ok anyway? Respond with your thoughts!

And buy some NG shirts and stuff!

[F8L]

Racial Profiling when used by law enforcement to harrass minorities for no real reason is wrong.

Racial Profiling when used as a precautionary measure because we were just attacked more then likley by the same people that proclaimed war with us is probaly a good thing.

I am sure the people who have been inconvienenced because of it understand. If not... they are just selfish.

EaStFaTaL-_

[Shuli]

Racial profiling is not a good idea. And my reasoning behind this is NOT that it's wrong or right. Here's how I see it: as soon as you start looking more suspiciously toward one group than another, then you're paying less attention to everybody else... and that's a hole that's easily taken advantage of.
I think we ought to be equally suspicious of ANYBODY who's acting oddly. It's a matter of being aware of what's going on, not of profiling anybody.

[Lysdexic]

At 10/15/01 01:29 PM, TomFulp wrote: So here is the latest in current events...

The AP reports that a letter opened today in the office of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle "had anthrax in it," as said by President Bush. The envelope was field-tested shortly after being received, and the staffers who were exposed were being treated, he said.

Because the breathable form of Anthrax is much more difficult to produce than the non-lethal liquid form, many people are looking for the source... Fingers are being pointed at Iraq. Good excuse to blow them up, right?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Newark, N.J. was diverted Sunday after two men were seen huddled together and speaking a foreign language in the back of the plane, officials said.

Officials at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport initially received reports that the men were trying to break into the cockpit, said Aviation Director Jerry Orr. It turned out to be two Jewish men praying together in the back of the plane, he said.

At least there wasn't any racial profiling involved, eh?

There is a lot of controversy going on over racial profiling at airports. Do you feel that we have good reason to be "extra suspicious" of Arabs during this time, or is racial profiling of any form, at any time, a bad idea?

One news show actually interviewed African Americans who unanimously agreed that police should be more attentive to Arabs right now. So then the (oh boy this is a doozy) question was asked - "then why is it not ok for police to single out African Americans, who statistically account for more crime?"

Is racial profiling towards Arabs any different than racial profiling towards any other race? Do these "extreme circumstances" make it ok? Or perhaps you think racial profiling is ok anyway? Respond with your thoughts!

And buy some NG shirts and stuff!

heh heh

[Perdix]

At 10/15/01 01:29 PM, TomFulp wrote: One news show actually interviewed African Americans who unanimously agreed that police should be more attentive to Arabs right now. So then the (oh boy this is a doozy) question was asked - "then why is it not ok for police to single out African Americans, who statistically account for more crime?"

"African-Americans"? What type of pc bullshit is that. Here is an excerpt from MrSmellyPants.org:

There is a plague in the United States, a plague of guilt. People are so concerned about being non-offensive that they end up being more so by their sheer stupidity. African-Americans, I had no idea so many people from AFRICA became citizens of the United States of AMERICA (because they are the only ones who are "african-american") Ohhhh, I get it, you mean BLACK people, well, why didn't you say so to begin with? (by the way, "native-americans" are no more native than I am, their ancestors just came here sooner than mine, and if that makes a difference, then the blacks have been here a lot longer than I have, maybe I should start calling myself a English-German-French-Native-American, oh wait that would be STUPID, because the only part that really matters is where I live NOW. Besides, if you really want to be specific, most "african"-americans don't have nearly as much "african" blood as many people seem to think. What of the "white" people from Africa, there are quite a bit of them, if they came to the United States and became citizens they would have every right to call themselves African-Americans, although they most assuredly would not be accepted under that title, because when we say African-American, we do not mean people from africa who became citizens of the United States, we mean BLACK people. While we are talking about it. What about Asian-Americans? Most of Russia lies in Asia, so, if anyone from Russia moves to the United States they too would be considered Asian-Americans, but once again, that's not what we really mean, is it. The point is this, we need to look at people for what the ARE, not what label we can fit on them.

As for racial profiling... if the security measures are adequate, there is no need for them. After all, if I were a terrorist and I knew that officials were detaining people based on how they look, I would find the whitest looking guy I could to do the dirty work.

[FutilityMistress]

At 10/15/01 01:29 PM, TomFulp wrote: So here is the latest in current events...

The AP reports that a letter opened today in the office of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle "had anthrax in it," as said by President Bush. The envelope was field-tested shortly after being received, and the staffers who were exposed were being treated, he said.

Because the breathable form of Anthrax is much more difficult to produce than the non-lethal liquid form, many people are looking for the source... Fingers are being pointed at Iraq. Good excuse to blow them up, right?

Fuck, I don't care if it's Iraq or fucking Michigan who's doing this anthrax thing, but I'm scared as hell and we all should be too.

[Septimus]

At 10/15/01 01:29 PM, TomFulp wrote: So here is the latest in current events...
(snip)
One news show actually interviewed African Americans who unanimously agreed that police should be more attentive to Arabs right now. So then the (oh boy this is a doozy) question was asked - "then why is it not ok for police to single out African Americans, who statistically account for more crime?"

Is racial profiling towards Arabs any different than racial profiling towards any other race? Do these "extreme circumstances" make it ok? Or perhaps you think racial profiling is ok anyway? Respond with your thoughts!

Racial profiling always makes sense! When you do that, you can pretend that you are vigilant when you are actually just a racist. (And yes, you can be racist against your own race.) Shuli and Perdix are absolutely right; profiling is just going to lead to different kinds of security holes. (Maniacs come in all colors and from all creeds.) As much as some members of congress don't want it to happen, we need Federal control of Airport security. We need well-trained people running security checkpoints, not people who have no training and who are paid $6.00 and hour. We need bomb sniffing dogs at every airport. We need background checks (criminal and psychological) for all airline employees, no matter what job they apply for or hold. We need the cockpits of airplanes to be electrified strong boxes. We need all carry on luggage to be hand inspected- that's going to cause delays- but if it keeps planes from falling out of the skies then I'm all for it.

People keep talking about how we live in a different world since September 11th; that is such a silly thing to say. We live in the same exact world- it's just that America (and pretty much everyone else) is a little more aware of how dangerous the world actually is.

-Septy.

[Perdix]

At 10/15/01 02:40 PM, FutilityMistress wrote:

At 10/15/01 01:29 PM, TomFulp wrote: So here is the latest in current events...

The AP reports that a letter opened today in the office of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle "had anthrax in it," as said by President Bush. The envelope was field-tested shortly after being received, and the staffers who were exposed were being treated, he said.

Because the breathable form of Anthrax is much more difficult to produce than the non-lethal liquid form, many people are looking for the source... Fingers are being pointed at Iraq. Good excuse to blow them up, right?

Fuck, I don't care if it's Iraq or fucking Michigan who's doing this anthrax thing, but I'm scared as hell and we all should be too.

Sure... Don't you realize the only real purpose of the anthrax mail is to scare people? It isn't feasible to create a wide-spread epidemic with this type of biologic attack. However, if they send the packages to a select number of people, the panic will increase and the "terror" which is the purpose behind terrorism will be fulfilled.
Yes they want us all dead, but they don't have the ability to do that, so they attack our sense of safety, first people are afraid to fly, or go to work in an office building, in a way, being afraid to draw attention to themselves, then they are afraid to open their mail, something we do everyday (except sundays), there is no reason for the majority of people to be fearfull, but that is the point of these attacks.

[Septimus]

At 10/15/01 02:58 PM, Perdix wrote: Sure... Don't you realize the only real purpose of the anthrax mail is to scare people? It isn't feasible to create a wide-spread epidemic with this type of biologic attack. However, if they send the packages to a select number of people, the panic will increase and the "terror" which is the purpose behind terrorism will be fulfilled.
Yes they want us all dead, but they don't have the ability to do that, so they attack our sense of safety, first people are afraid to fly, or go to work in an office building, in a way, being afraid to draw attention to themselves, then they are afraid to open their mail, something we do everyday (except sundays), there is no reason for the majority of people to be fearfull, but that is the point of these attacks.

It doesn't help that there are so people perpetrating hoaxes for the hell of it. In Pittsburgh there have been two buildings shout down since Friday because of Anthrax scares called in to the police. (And one of them reported as an "Anthrax bomb".) On Sunday a local family's newspaper contained a "white powdery substance", so the haz-mat crews were called out over it. People are just being stupid about the whole Anthrax thing.

-Septy.

[Satarian]

I like Racial Profiling. Anything that can help law enforcement do their job. Hell, i'm willing to give up a few privacy rights if it means effecient security (which is what me might have to do if terrorism gets worse).

[EviLDoG]

We should be looking for anyone thats a terrorist, i know it's difficult to spot them, but terrorists can be any age, color or race and not neccasarily of the same group/network. I'm not sure what will happen to the IRA over here in Britain, but i doubt that they will be bombed.

The only time you can really spot people is when the "Jihad"(Holy war) breaks out, then you have to go after the Muslims that are creating a disturbance, but leave those who are peaceful.

[Perdix]

At 10/15/01 03:11 PM, Satarian wrote: I like Racial Profiling. Anything that can help law enforcement do their job. Hell, i'm willing to give up a few privacy rights if it means effecient security (which is what me might have to do if terrorism gets worse).

Would you be so willing if you were one to be racially profiled? Don't you realize that by having such "general" security you are actually losing your personal security? Would racial profiling have helped keep Timothy McVeigh from bombing the Murrow building? Should be not have british nanny's because of that on chick whose name I forgot?

[GINGEclock-1]

to be honest, I really think America is taking this all WAY too far. Before we get any further et me say I am white, and from Britain. It shouldnt be but you people would probably think so. I know your all americans and will hate me for this but come on, in places like etheopia more people die everyday than white died in the WTC tragedy. Now I am not saying that what the Taliban did was correct. But as a famous person once said, two wrongs dont make a right. Why is america (and therefor england) fighting back with more force. There are other forms of justice.

I believe that killing innocent people is by no means a solution or retribution to killing innocent people, if you think about it then you will realise, it really doesnt make sense. If america hadnt instantly responded with force, this whole biological warfare thing may not have started, and now we are all screwed because of good old osama decides to be a prick and nuke us or disease us, nothing can be done. and not just the arab community of america and england but also the english and afro-english/american community will have to pay.

Its too late for reconsiliation via democracy now but if Afghanistan retaliate further which they will no-doubt do, we're all in trouble. There's no easy answer to this now and its undoubtably going to end up in vioence, but if america nukes afghanistan then supporting countries will strike back and it wont be pretty.

Why dont you all look at the mess that Bush got us all into by retaliating in the way he did, and remember folks... this is war

If you have an answer that wont result in the death of us all, you know where the government is, help yor country. Bush wont

Thanks for reading this, I hope it hasnt made you all hjate me too much

[scottmac321]

Racial profiling is bullshit, we are all american no matter what color you are, what religion you are, what language you speak etc. if we are giong to treat people like this then why don't we just say that america is a racist country, i mean people come on, no more african-americans, or arab-americans, asian-americans because we are all americans. so stop the racial profiling.
anthrax sucks, just wanted to say that.

[Steve84]

tom i think anything racial profiling people is wrong because i'm part poilsh and they should stop bombing places! these are my thoughts on it what is anatrix?

[qpid]

At 10/15/01 01:29 PM, TomFulp wrote: So here is the latest in current events...

The AP reports that a letter opened today in the office of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle "had anthrax in it," as said by President Bush. The envelope was field-tested shortly after being received, and the staffers who were exposed were being treated, he said.

Because the breathable form of Anthrax is much more difficult to produce than the non-lethal liquid form, many people are looking for the source... Fingers are being pointed at Iraq. Good excuse to blow them up, right?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Newark, N.J. was diverted Sunday after two men were seen huddled together and speaking a foreign language in the back of the plane, officials said.

Officials at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport initially received reports that the men were trying to break into the cockpit, said Aviation Director Jerry Orr. It turned out to be two Jewish men praying together in the back of the plane, he said.

At least there wasn't any racial profiling involved, eh?

There is a lot of controversy going on over racial profiling at airports. Do you feel that we have good reason to be "extra suspicious" of Arabs during this time, or is racial profiling of any form, at any time, a bad idea?

One news show actually interviewed African Americans who unanimously agreed that police should be more attentive to Arabs right now. So then the (oh boy this is a doozy) question was asked - "then why is it not ok for police to single out African Americans, who statistically account for more crime?"

Is racial profiling towards Arabs any different than racial profiling towards any other race? Do these "extreme circumstances" make it ok? Or perhaps you think racial profiling is ok anyway? Respond with your thoughts!

And buy some NG shirts and stuff!

[qpid]

This racial profiling is going too far, I say. Everywhere you look, where I live, someone is against the other JUST BECAUSE the other is foreign. I just broke up with my girlfriend last week for something like this.
We were at a restaurant and the waitress could barely speak english. By my standards, you give everyone a chance. You have got to give the other a chance to succeed so that they may make it in this world. Think we were ALL born speaking english? No, and that is not what the good ol' U.S. of A. stands for... to base someone on rather they speak english or not, to base that on rather they are good or bad. I see too much of it and I'm sick of it.
Anyway, my girlfriend and I were in the diner. The waitress could'nt really speak english. Found out by another waitress that the one that could'nt really speak english was from Arabia. That waitress was talking all sort of "smack" about the other. I was about to leave.
But, I decided not to and let it pass off.
Yet, what really set me off after that was, my girlfriend started agreeing and said things, too. I could'nt believe what I was hearing.
So, I got up from my table, threw down some money for my portion of the bill, said my last few words about us and about the subject and left.
I have yet to hear from her again. I don't want to be with her now anyways, for the fact that she is a racist.
Everyone has got to understand, people will say that they are not a racist. A white/black/etc person may not be racist at first glance towards many, but when it comes down to it, they are. Think about it. How many jokes do you hear about "rednecks", "blacks", "jews", etc? How many bad things do you hear about a race and think that's "their" way? Believe it or not, we are all the same. We all have the same problems. We all bleed red.
We all need to quit blaming a whole community and blame the ones that have done wrong. I'm talking about in general life right now, it's also for what happened to us with the recent tragedy. Blame the ones that are at fault, and not others.

[warlock788]

Personally im tired of hearing everything about singling people out because of race. It happens to everyone. No matter what you do, it happens. There is nothing anyone can do about it. Ive noticed that no one really seems to care unless it happens to them though. If you ask me though, no racial profiling is not ok. Im just tring to say that if you dont like it happening to you than dont wish it upon anyone else. Ive noticed when it comes to race and equality people or amazingly hippocritical. What it comes down to is the key rule. "Do on to others as you want done onto you." If you dont respect this rule than shut the hell up, and piss off.

[qpid]

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by spore-forming bacteria. It most commonly occurs in wild and domestic cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes and other herbivores. Several countries have "weaponized" the disease into a highly lethal inhaled form.
Anthrax is a single bacterium but can infect people in three ways. Pulmonary anthrax is contracted from inhaling thousands of tiny spores. Those can germinate in the lungs, spread to chest tissue and produce toxins that enter the bloodstream. This form is usually lethal without quick treatment. Intestinal anthrax most often comes from eating contaminated meat. This form is 25 percent to 60 percent lethal. Cutaneous anthrax is the least lethal and most common form. Infection occurs when bacteria enters an abrasion on the skin.
Anthrax spores themselves are too small to see. If the spores are mass-produced, then dried, they may resemble a fine power when concentrated. If anthrax were pumped into a building ventilation system and dispersed, it would be undetectable to the eye.
You might not know. Flu-like symptoms set in one to six days after anthrax is inhaled. Those symptoms may even appear to improve over a few days. Then, suddenly, someone infected would experience difficulty breathing, heavy sweating, blue-colored skin and shock. Death follows in 24-36 hours. Intestinal anthrax causes nausea, loss of appetite, fever, abdominal pain and severe diarrhea. Cutaneous anthrax is easier to spot. At first, it looks like an insect bite, but in one or two days the infection becomes a painless ulcer with a black area in the center.
There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Clothes can be disinfected with a mixture of bleach and water. But anthrax spores can survive in soil, water and other materials for years. Disinfectant doesn't kill them. Contaminated surfaces must be steam-cleaned. Another concern is livestock. In a biological attack, animals such as sheep and cattle could be infected and could potentially transmit the disease to humans.
Inhaled anthrax used to be considered 100 percent lethal, but a U.S. Army study showed infected monkeys could be effectively treated with antibiotic therapy when the therapy began one day after exposure. This implies that humans could be treated with drugs such as ciprofloxacin, but only if they're aware they've been exposed and seek treatment immediately. Other types of anthrax require similar antibiotic therapy.
Only custom-fitted gas masks with special filters are effective against inhaled anthrax. Those cost hundreds of dollars and must be worn during exposure to anthrax spores. Many experts have said it's unlikely people would know they are being exposed until it's too late to don a mask.
Ciprofloxacin, or Cipro, does not make people immune to the disease. Taking it may lower one's ability to fight other illnesses and could even hamper doctors from diagnosing an anthrax infection. Federal health officials say they can fly ample supplies of ciprofloxacin to anywhere in the United States within 12 hours of an outbreak.
The anthrax vaccine was licensed by the FDA in 1970 for at-risk veterinary and laboratory workers and livestock handlers. The Department of Defense also reserves a stockpile of the vaccine for military use. The military began vaccinating all soldiers on active duty in 1998 but has since slowed the program because the company that produces the vaccine, BioPort, has ceased production. The company's facilities didn't meet FDA requirements. The vaccine is effective if started at least four weeks before exposure. It consists of six doses with yearly booster shots. Up to 35 percent of those vaccinated experience rashes, muscle aches, headaches and other flu-like symptoms.
Anthrax is fairly easy to acquire. It can be stored in dry, powder form and remain potent for decades. With enough expertise, the spores can be dispersed in the air and inhaled by unprotected troops and civilians. Infection from inhaled spores is highly lethal, and spores that are not inhaled remain in the soil for many years. The U.S. military developed a strain of anthrax so lethal, just 8 gallons could kill everyone on earth.
A terrorist would need detailed knowledge and sophisticated facilities to mass-produce anthrax spores or even find the most potent strains of the bacteria. Only extremely fine, dry anthrax powders can make it to the lungs. And distributing it is difficult. Iraq failed to adapt crop dusters to spread the spores during the Gulf War. The Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo released anthrax ineffectively on several occasions in the 1990s. Anthrax spores are even vulnerable to the sun's ultraviolet rays and weather conditions.

[PrinceNova]

I have a friend in the army (Lucky for me he is a dumb ass so no specials force thing) and he made a good point. Bin Ladens men are not only in Afghanistan but also in U.s. We never know that we could possibly be going to school with there kids for god sake. Its just a scary thing to think about,

[LeonKennedy]

Just to let ya know NG was on TV! On CNN News About Osama Bin Ladin Showing the one were u kill osama in diff ways, like nuke him. It was pretty cool :) didnt expect it.

[Malachi01]

If you tak a look at some of these hijakcers you wouldn't think that they are arabian. Don't get me wrong a lot of these people involved are from the middle east, but there are a lot more middle-eastern people out there that are not part of any terrorist group. Likewise not all black people are criminals. Not all rich people are snobs. Not all poor people are alcoholic trash. Not all Mexicans are illegal grass cutting aliens. Not all Christians are a bunch of crazed maniacs unable to see the world for what it is. Not all Jewish people are a bunch of cheap money grabbing 5'2" guys. And not all NG users are a bunch of porn crazed, tasteless violent monsters. ___________People are just using this situation to be able to pick on the people they don't like. It has happened with the Italians, Japanese, African Americans, and gobs of other racial and ethnic groups. Lets cut the crap and just look for what these people are doing, and not just what they look like.

[Malachi01]

Wow, your willing to give up your rights, and the rights of others for a facade of personal security? God bless America

[maxxamp]

Yeah. A hell of a lot of sense racial profiling makes doesn't it? I see everyone with a beard and turbine getting questioned. Does this strike anyone else as rather stupid considering the terrorist who hijacked the planes shaved their beards and made it a point to blend in with the America population? I can just see this leading to a fit of "Oh, that guy looks Arab, let's arrest him.." instances. If law enforcement is so sure on their definition of what a terrorist looks like, they should really let us know about it. Because according to most these days, all one has to do is find an Arab guy. Gee, that was easy. Boy do I feel safe in the hands of these fucktards...

[Kantakyl]

Racial profiling is NEVER ok, no matter what the situation. It will always be there, and that is very unfortunate, but it should never be accepted as a "precautionary measure". This is what Hitler did to the Jews, found a group that was easy to blame and attacked them. We did the same thing on a lesser scale during world war 2 with the Japanese, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Many Japanese people were put into camps, not death camps like the jews in germany, but prison type camps just the same. We look back on this shamefully, try to avoid the subject. Now because of this attack we are ready to do it again? It is not right to attack the easiest target. Many of these Arabs, and people of other ethnicity for that matter, have been here for a long time and are just as horrified by the events of September 11th as we were and are. Many of these people hang flags and are as patriotic as we are. Really, "them" and "us" are not that much different. When Timothy McVeigh was found to be the unibomber, we were already prepared to be racist against people of middle eastern descent. Then we find out that it was an American, a white american, and people do not become suspicious of eachother, of fellow white americans, because they are not an easy target. We are afraid to target ourselves or likenesses of ourselves, but it is all too easy to attack and not trust a man with a beard and a turban. This was wrong when Hitler did it to the Jews, wrong when we did it to the Japanese, and it is still just as wrong now with the Arabs. I understand peoples frustrations and I share them, but I can not understand nor can I condone taking out their frustrations and insecurities on innocent people, regardless of ethnicity.

[hoody-boy]

It's about time Osama is getting screwed this time! And I hope he burns! And anyways, can we drop this subject and go kill him and nuke his ass of the face of the earth??!!!!!

[hoody-boy]

thats a pretty good comment there

[JordanCastillo]

racial profiling > racism > stupid.

enough said.

[LaserBeamBandit]

Here's my thought of racial profiling. Either use racial profiling on everyone, including blacks, or don't use racial profiling at all. Blacks can't have it both ways in that they are not racially profiled while it is okay to them that other people are being racially profiled.

[LaserBeamBandit]

Oh yeah, I'm against racial profiling.