[LASur5r]

I don't want to get too much into wartime scenarios yet, because some of you already think I'm over the edge with some of the scenarios that I write, but I grew up in a time that we still had air raid sirens and Pearl Harbor was very real to us living in Hawaii. Many was the time that we wondered if the islands were going to be invaded or not....especially since we practiced the air raid drills.
If we saw any low flying fast movers, we headed for cover right away as kids. Many of the boys I knew learned the silhouettes of military planes...you better believe we knew the profiles of a Zeke and other related aircraft.
We also took our duties responsibly. So now I have the question of what should we do as individual citizens to be more responsible and even keeping our eyes out for "possibly suspicious activity?"
I know right now, no vigilante activity...but once the "war" starts, then what?
I'm the proactive type...but all these years in a peaceful, civilized society...I have had to learn we have to be really good at counter punching, not initiating the aggressive act.
Only trouble is in Vietnam, the Republic of....that was war time in a war zone, often the aggressive hit and run tactics worked best.

So having said that, a lot of the watchful, defensive activities must be left to our lawmen and National Guard, but any suggestions what we can do as citizens?

[bd]

As I write this the United States is attacking terrorist targets in Afghanistan. We have heard by the security advisors that there is a near 100% probability that the terrorists will strike again in our country if we take action against them. We as citizens need to keep our eyes and ears open for anything that "just doesn't seem right", take our alert level up a notch and report anything that goes against our common sense. The scenarios we are presented with on this forum are a good exercise for us to use to be aware of our surroundings and to use to form a plan of action in case you run in to a similiar situation. The worse thing we can do is say "it will never happen to me". Trust your gut feelings and your common sense. It might not be a bad idea to have a meeting place that the family knows to go to in case of a widespread panic, the new rule at my house is not to let your gas tank get below 1/2 a tank. Things like this can seem silly but also will add to the peace of mind. I would rather be over prepared than the opposite. If you have a bad feeling about something get out of the area, report it and be aware. I think that is the best thing we as citizens can do. BD

[jsr5]

What we or at least most of us do that come here. Be vigilant keep an eye out for things that "are not quite right" the only difference is that instead of shrugging our shoulders and going on because we are afraid of possible embarrassment if we are wrong weve got to go ahead and make the call, take the risk. Or while staying within the laws investigate a little furhter ourselves taking the risk as responsible americans to insure our own safety, and the safety of those around us. I feel certain that before teh Sept 11 attacks someone saw somthing that just didn't feel right but, our (as a society) un-wilingness to be involved caused the shrugged shoulder and the final terrible act that may have been averted happened. People have got to be involved enough to spare the time to report what they see, and take responsibilty for their own safety and freedom.