boofhead and chimbu: you are both totally spot on. Couldn't have said it better.
And chimbu: today we have exactly the sort of thing you are talking about
: a "new tape from bin Laden" has been reported in the media. On it, someone allegedly says the reason there haven't been any further 9/11-type attacks is not becasue of security the West has put in place, but rather, because there "are operations that need preparation".
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...22-401,00.html
So, either:
(1) the "terrorists" are just stirring the pot, poking the ants nest to get the western bureacracy further worked up into another lather of panic; or
(2) our governments, via media, are just telling us that the "terrorists" are saying this, for the governments' ulterior purposes.
I no longer trust any of these.... people.... running our societies.
NO TERRORIST GROUP IS SERIOUSLY GOING TO MAKE SUCH PROVOCATIVE STATEMENTS IF THEY GENUINELY WANT TO SUCCEED WITH SOME FUTURE ATTACK.
Think about that statement and the implications that follow.
And think about what a cowardly society we have become.
Future historians will shake their heads in bewilderment at what western society became in the 21st century.