Originally Posted by PaperTiger
spotters are open and obvious in their activities, and a telescope, camera, radio or notebook are not things the average terrorist is likely to be waving about. It does require a frame of mind incorporating both tolerance and geniality, something not usually associated with law enforcement or security personnel unfortunately.
The point is also made that the immediate perimeter is an unlikely location from which to mount an attack anyway, the bad guys probably preferring somewhere a little more umm... discreet.
Thank you for your post. It is good that things have remained civil and I will try and follow the trend here. I would like to comment and point out 2 things regarding your post if I may?
1) Do you not think that groups like A/Q will try and possibly 'blend - in' to the surroundings. I mean the hi-jackers on 9/11 weren't wearing Arabic clothes when they boarded, or the countless months that they were in the country. The wore western clothes in order to fit in better and get close. REAL close over a long period of time. They also have all the time in the world to carry out their attack. 9/11 was prepared for years before it's time. What's to say that one of their operatives is not 'undercover' as a spotter right now, and has all the cameras etc etc (think about how much money they must have spent flying around the world and internally throughout the US to find the weak links in security so they could get their box cutters on board before 9/11) How do I know that the prson that I am speaking to is not one of these people and is testing security?? Had any strange people turn up with all the kit recently that looks out of place?? If so, let us know. You never can tell.
2) The Perimeter is the most likely. Why?? All the attacks so far (and those in Iraq included) they are not worried about survival. They want publicity and high level impact on the population. The four suicide bombers on 7/7 should be a prime example of that. They believe in Martardom and dying for their cause, no matter what. Even if they breached security and were shot dead by police before they reached their target would be a victory for them as the public would panic and be afraid. They do not want to be discrret, they want to make a public statement. Any spotters that got in the way, ie were there would be killed and that would be seen by them as a bonus.
All of the above is not anything which is a secret, but comman sense when you look back at what has happened over the last 10 or so years. Had we been talking about the IRA, then yes, they wouldn't want to get caught/die, but A/Q play by different rules.
FE