Soft targets

So everyone is (again) all "On Alert"..watching for terror attacks.

But we are stupid.

In a few weeks, we will be just as complacent as we were on Monday. Not paying attention. Not bothering. Not caring. Who won on "Survivor" or whatever will be the hot topic, along with the latest news from the elections.

Right now, there are men with badges dressed in black with masks covering their faces in many public spaces, showing a military-like presence....intimidatingly carrying AR rifles. Some folks find that comforting. I find it amusing. Firstly, because in a week or two, they will be gone. Secondly because if they need those rifles today, then they will need them next week or next month or sometime in the future....but they won't be carrying them then, not when the next attack happens.  Thirdly, because a rifle isn't much good against a suicide bomber in a crowded area. What, except for comforting our more rabbit-like citizens, are they doing? If there is a good reason to carry a rifle TODAY, then there is a good reason to carry them everywhere, every day. They (the officers) look intimidating and warlike, but really, what good are they doing? (Let us  not, at this time, bother with the fact that the face masks are for NIGHTTIME operations, to hide their white faces, not for daytime use) What good is a menacing presence in some spaces doing to enhance our security? Are all those men doing anything besides menacing the population and getting the citizens used to an armed presence in their public spaces?

And the people lining up to have their bags searched....Really? Why, if the bombers want to inflict damage and bloodshed and pain and terror would they not choose to detonate them in the non secure (but crowded) areas in front of a checkpoint? They will still kill and wound many. People will still die. Terror will still occur. People will still be afraid.... It matters little where the bomb goes off.....

If the terrorists are patient, they know that next week they will have another chance, in another area, and that they will be as unimpeded as they were on Monday. They play a long game, not a short one....Chess or Go, rather than checkers, as the West does.

So what, exactly, besides giving the police a bunch of overtime, are they accomplishing?