New Yorkers: Are you afraid of another terrorist attack?

Question

What do you think could happen? They just ended a plot to blow up JFK airport and the fuel lines running into Queens neighborhoods. What about the plots they do not realize are happening? How does this affect or not affect you in your daily life?

Answer 1

No . Those of us who lived in NYC after the Russians got nuclear weapons in the late 40's did so with the knowledge that we were at living ground- zero. When the Russians launched the big one, NYC was going to be the first American city they vaporized. So for me the fear has always been there and I've gotten used to it.
The JFK thing was much ado about nothing.
It made good press but really nothing would have happened. How does it affect my life ? It just gets me mad and gives me courage at the same time.
Terrorism is the easiest thing on the planet to defeat; All it requires is that you not be scared.The next time some bastard blows up an airplane call up the airline that lost the plane and book a flight for the next day and then make the flight. Call all your friends and family and invite them along.
If you happen to be on a flight and some cretin hijacks it , assume that the worst has already happened-you're dead. Since you're already dead you can't be killed -take action against the cretin.
Lastly we have to demand that are leaders not ask the people for courage when they themselves are hiding under a desk .
After 9/11 we should have seen our elected officials and their families flying commercial all over America.
The fact that we didn't just shows how great the lack of leadership is in America.
WWTRD ???

Answer 2

I worry about it a little bit, but I pray that security is heightened enough so that any attempt would be intercepted like the one that was planned for JFK airport. I LOVE NY! Will be there this weekend! Also, the terrorists may be smart enough to attack some where else knowing that all eyes are guarding NY. I do admit I am always VERY nervous when driving over any of the cities bridges. If they blew up any or all of the bridges, it would cripple NY badly for a long time. I lot of people don't even realize that Manhattan is an island, and there are several bridges all around coming and going from the surrounding boroughs (Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and The Bronx) and New Jersey.

Answer 3

The second worst terrorist attack to occur in US history occurred in Oklahoma City. There was a bombing of the Olympic games in Atlanta, the Uni-bomber and the Anthrax mailer hit targets all over the country and and more credible then the threat against JFK was a plot to attack Fort Dix, NJ. NYC is more likely then most places to get hit by an attack because it's landmarks are more familiar then most other places but terrorism isn't exclusively a NY problem. Don't assume that because you live somewhere other then the Big Apple, that you are automatically safe.

The point is no matter who or where you are, you can't live your life in fear, but you can't turn a blind eye either. The chief lesson that I've learned from 9/11 is that we all have a responsibility as citizens to be vigilant. Understand, I'm not suggesting spying on one's neighbors or mistrusting a person because of the color of their skin or the style of their clothes, that's paranoia and ultimately paranoia does more harm then anything else. What I am saying is that if I see something that is clearly suspiscious, I will say something rather than simply assume someone else will deal with it. If I see a person who needs help, I will try to help them. In other words I'm more aware of the people around me and of my responsibility to those people as one human being is responsible for another. This is one of the lessons I've taken from the post 9/11 world, this is a lesson that I think many New Yorker in general have taken to heart as well.

In that knowledge, in the certainty that there are people out there who will help if help is needed I find the strength to rise up above the fear and live my life as best as I can.

Answer 4

I have been living in the big apple and the new york state for over 20 years, and i;ve seen it all! Yes from time to time if im on the train you think "Imagine if they blew this up?" You have to accepot that thingds like that do happen and you cant live your life in fear! Unfortunetly there are wackos in this world who feel the need to harm others but you cant let it hinder youy from living there or living your life-just for the fact that that is what the terrists want! They want you to be afraid! Thats telling them tht they won, and you can't ever let them win!

So how do i go about my life everyday in nyc? Well, I always take one day at a time. You have to not worry about every move you take, you have to live and not care about terrorists and their attacks. I feel very safe in the city, There are actual ARMY people around with machine guns killing dogs and helicoptors every where scoping out the area! But that doesent mean that everything will be ok! But what are you going to do? move to texas or something and twidle your thimbs because you'r scared! No! Its ok to me in the city! On july 3rd, while i was working in my office building they announce that theywould be testin the fire arlarms and everything as a precaution, its a very scary thing to think-OMg! This really is real and can happen! But you cant worry, you have to live and you cannot let the terorists win and you cant care. \
I think everything is in God's hands. Dont be worried

Answer 5

Not that worried -- you could spend your whole life freaking out and being miserable. I enjoy each day and go about living life in the meantime.

Years of working in war zones where any day could be your last purely for being in the wrong place at the wrong time...taught me not to dwell on the 'what ifs'....

Answer 6

No. Does not affect me. Sometimes there are cops searching backpacks in the subway station, but in 2 years of commuting to downtown Manhattan my own bag has never been searched.

Answer 7

Sure...if I think about it, I worry a bit, but I don't let it limit me. What's going to happen is just going to happen, and I can't stop living just because something may occur in the future.

Answer 8

Not all. Zero. Nada. Nothing. The odds of being injuredin such an attack are so remote as to be laughable.

Answer 9

I refuse to let my life be dictated by a stupid color coded terror alert. We've been on yellow (or is it orange?) since Tom Ridge came up with the brilliant idea.

Answer 10

it never stopped.
go to the mall, high school football game and grocery store.
can happen again.
I think all of NY - NJ knows this feeling