Sorry for my post to be on such a down note, but is anyone as frightened by this as me? Living in NYC and driving by Ground Zero everyday, I cant help but not forget about 9-11. Do you think most people think this won't happen again, or am I really paranoid?

May 14, 2002 -- The Coast Guard has issued an urgent warning to law enforcement agencies that as many as 25 terrorists linked to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network have sneaked into the United States aboard cargo ships, it was revealed yesterday. Law enforcement officials confirmed a report on Fox News Channel that the Coast Guard alerted federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that it has received credible intelligence information that terrorist stowaways have entered "on prominent cargo vessels."

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2002

Answers

I don't know whether it makes sense to worry anymore. It's so tiring, so all-consuming, so pointless. I still look up when planes fly low over my apartment building on their way to landing. I've been asked all day about the stupid mailbox bombs and what I think. "Well, gee, I think they must be a good thing." Makes you wonder what targets could possibly be more innocuous than postal workers.

If it happens again, then it does. We don't know when, how, if... If the world ends in 20 minutes, then maybe it would make more sense to just enjoy the time. I don't know. I lost a friend the first time, maybe I'll lose one this time, maybe it doesn't matter whether I'm frightened or not. That's just me.

Don't panic too much. The intelligence agencies rounded up the other terrorists immediately after 9-11. Maybe they'll be as effective this time. Or not. We can't control this.

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2002

My question is if the information that Jeff posted takes on any new relevence in the wake of the "What Did He Know" crisis.

Just because we know they might be here, and that there might be threats doesn't mean the CIA or FBI or President Bush's team knows when or where or how. Who could've ever dreamed that "possible hijackings by bin Laden" would be what it was?

So no, I'm not worried. Entirely. Of course it's always on my mind, especially after an ER like the episode last night and then hearing that a hospital in NYC is under quarantine, but I spent the entire Fall of 2001 anxious, afraid and sick. Are you really living if you're living like that?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

Yeah, I think the furor over "what did Bush know and when did he know it" is silly.

We get terror warnings now, right? John Ashcroft steps to the mic and says that there's information that Washington banks might be targeted, or California bridges, or shopping malls, and we all go about our business as usual. Faced with a warning that planes might be hijacked at some point, would people have really stayed home on that fateful Tuesday?

I mean, I think about it ... the drive to my fiance's takes me past the Pentagon and National Airport, exactly where I was when I saw the plane hit. And every time I see a plane approach, I cringe a little bit, trying to judge the angle and whether it'll make the runway. But even though I think terror attacks will happen again, I try not to think too much about it. What good does worrying do?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

I think the whole What did Bush know thing is being blown completely out of proportion, but I do have two observations:

1. There have been some half ass attempts to spin this thing by The Bush camp, such as the "hi-jacking a plane means something different now then it did before Sept 11." What? Was the phrase "hi-jacking a plane" another way of saying you were having friends over for fondue and chardonney before Sept 11? Now it means taking over a plane by force?

2. Would a reasonable response to being told that there is strong evidence to support the possibility that a US aircraft would be hijacked be to warn airport security across the country? If so, was this done? If not, why not?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

For the record, I think the Bush thing is stupid. What happened, happened. Does blaming the President for it make it any better? I mean, I hate Bush and I think he's a 'tard, but really... I'm starting to think that's becoming the problem with the entire culture - too much backward thinking.

Also, has anyone found the original story anywhere else? My father forced me to watch CNN for hours before I had my wisdom tooth surgery check-up yesterday. I didn't hear a word about this, not even on the ticker.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2002

Y'all know there are LOCUSTS in Afghanistan, right?

The Jeff laughs when I tell him that once they start making us implant chips in our hands, I'm going off the grid, but I'm dead serious. I'm not religious, but I'm still terrified of Armageddon.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2002

Don't worry Hannah. There are locusts in my parents' backyard. We used to go out and collect the exoskeletons(?) off trees when they died. That's kinda gross in retrospect. I also live three blocks from Locust Street. Sometimes they fly in my windows. Armageddon? I sure hope not. Although, I do live in a high rise apartment building, so who knows?

I think the FBI is acting like a bunch of alarmist assholes. Thanks for the warning. I'll give you a call if I see my Arab neighbor toting C-4 up to his apartment. Because, you know, that'll be obvious.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2002

I know. The apartment complex warning was ridiculous. Um, thanks for making me feel all safe intelligence people!

And if you live in any city of a decent size of course you'll have people of middle eastern descent or origin living in your community. Should I start spying on the guy who lives below me??

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2002

It depends. If he's hot, I say spy on him. Otherwise, probably a waste of time.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2002