Are Americans more afraid of a few terrorists than they were of all the nukes aimed at them during the ColdWar

Question

Anthony: do you think it's just the media that are fear mongering?

Answer 1

The answer is no. Many people have forgotten the fear level generated during the Cold War, especially in the 50's. The threat was real, just as the current threat is real. The difference comes from the fact that the average terrorist can not wipe out humanity with a single attack.

Answer 2

I was born in '82, so I can't talk for feelings during the cold war. Nukes are bad, scary, and destructive, but eh, for a country to send one over they must have very little caring about the way they'll be nuked back.

Terrorists are worse, they can come and go, blending in with the rest of the public, as they go about their violence.

I don't need gov't to warn me that a terrorist could infect himself with smallpox or something worse, and take a stroll through JFK and have the whole world in a pandemic within weeks. That's not propaganda, it's just one of many very plausible situations where the terrorist could cause more harm, to everyone, worse than a nuke.

Answer 3

I think it may be possible. I mean, during the Cold War, even though a nuclear disaster was plausible, it didn't really seem to have any benefit for either side, so the threat seemed avoidable. Terrorists are portrayed as possibly attacking your small city or your neighborhood. That hits home with people more.

Answer 4

Whatever will happen will happen. We were never safe, the nuke issue during the Cold War, or terrorists getting into the country. I don't know why we believe we're ever safe. If someone wants to harm you they will do anything they can to do so. I was very frightened of nuclear war as a child but as a grown up, I just live my life.

Answer 5

No to each and all the questions. that's because of the fact the government is familiar with that 80 5% of Arab-human beings are Christians! additionally they comprehend that a 19-12 months previous Arab-American cadet with the NYPD bumped into WTC #2 on September eleventh and led 1000's to safety till now the tower collapsed and killed him. He substitute into additionally a Muslim. They comprehend that the Marine Corporal who raised the U.S. flag at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan substitute into an Afghan-American and a Muslim. i will remember in simple terms 2 hate crimes out West which led to homicide of what the killers theory have been "enemy". the 1st substitute into the homicide of a convenience keep proprietor interior the Phoenix area who had a beard and alter into donning a turban. while the police captured his killer, the fool screamed: " I stand for united statesa.". the guy he killed substitute right into a Sikh from Punjab State in India. the different homicide substitute into interior the l. a. area and likewise in touch the dying of a keep proprietor. The homicide sufferer substitute into from Lebanon and a Maronite Catholic!

Answer 6

It's a different kind of fear or concern when something actually hits your soil. The attack isn't poised 1/2 way around the global neighborhood, it's parked right next door to the Smith's or Jones' in our own zipcodes.

But I have confidence we can manage it. Others outside the USA have been doing it for quite some time and their nations still exist. We are just joining the club.

Welcome to the world's reality and the first day of the rest of ours (USA). It's gonna be okay.

Answer 7

Yes. In 1962, Soviets proved that they didn't want a nuclear crisis anymore than we did, when they removed their missiles from Cuba. Terrorists---and their sponsors---who have no regard for life whatsoever, will sacrifice themselves if it means they can take out half of New York City or London.

Answer 8

They should be !!
The terrorist threat is more likely than a nuclear attack from the old Soviet Union . Back then, there was always the big deterrent of mutually assured destruction . Now, however, we're dealing with people who don't care if they die .. . . . and in fact, want to die !!

Answer 9

Not sure but good question the only reason Terrorists are veiwed with such fear is because the media has blown them out of proportion and because there is a moron leading us and therefore we fear for our lives.

Answer 10

bush took advantage of the situation thats for sure. -but there was sen mccarthy in the 50's scarring people to death that their neighbors were working for the communists etc. - Americas initial reaction is always to swing way to far right but the pendulum usually loses momentum and ends up some where in the center -