(06-09-2017, 03:52 AM)The Real Marty Wrote:

(06-07-2017, 11:47 AM)JagNGeorgia Wrote: Not a threat or not a big threat? 48 people were injured. In what world is that statistically insignificant?

Was the May 22 Ariana Grande concert bombing not a threat, too?

Compared to all the other unexpected and unpleasant ways people die, no, it's not even a statistical blip.  

As far as things to worry about, the federal budget deficit and North Korea worry me.  Terrorism, not at all.

(06-09-2017, 09:17 AM)The Real Marty Wrote:

(06-09-2017, 08:49 AM)MalabarJag Wrote: So would you say the same thing about (say) blacks being killed by racist cops? Just a statistical blip not worth worrying about?

That's a pretty good question.   I see the point you are trying to make, and after a few minutes of thought, I'd have to say that I'd put it at about the same level of concern.  Especially compared to North Korea developing ICBMs capable of hitting the US, or the federal government being unable to finance itself because people don't want to buy the debt any more.  Those are looming disasters.  Terrorism is a problem, and if you think the cops are racist, that's a problem, but those are cockroaches compared to the monsters that are the federal debt and North Korea.

Terrorists don't kill that many people, and your chances of encountering a terrorist during your lifetime are minuscule.  That puts terrorism way down my list of things to worry about, if I wanted to worry about something.  

And as for the racist cops question, I'm not sure I totally buy the idea that there are that many racist cops.   I'm listening with an open mind, but even with the documented instances we've had lately, I'm not sure of the total reality of the situation.

Okay, short answer: yes.   We have much much bigger problems elsewhere.

Fair enough. I believe I'm personally more likely to be harmed by ramifications of the debt than by terrorism. North Korea not so much, their nuke development has been laughable, and I have confidence in the US ballistic missile defense.

But that doesn't mean the we shouldn't at least do the cheap and easy things to reduce the terrorism risk, starting with a travel ban from countries harboring terrorists.

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