Profiling is not an effective tool anymore, it never really was.
We are likely to revert to increased scrutiny for any non-native (Sorry, to any actual Native-Americans, but it was the only way I could think of, to put it) American instead.

The next attacks are likely to be carried out by an Asian, or a blond haired, blue eyed, Chechnyan.
It turns out that the most damaging quality that Bin Laden may have contributed to the terrorist community, is the ability to draw these groups into cooperation with each other without reguard to each groups personal agendas.
The enemy of my enemy is my freind sort of thing.

Al-Qaeda members in Singapore have at least 4 tons of ammonium nitrate in their possession (it only took 1 ton for Tim McVeigh to do the damage that he did to the Murrah building).

We know that they have it, because, the one who purchased it was arrested. We traced it to a storage dock that he had rented on the pier in Singapore, but, by the time that we got there, it was already gone.

Hundreds of ships leave everyday from that port, and the explosives were there for over a month....it could be anywhere!
We have an obvious problem!

An single attack on America with this material would, by necessity, be against a port.
But an explosion of that magnitude, executed from the deck of a cargo ship, in an American port like Boston, would be devistating!
Not only would it clear the area of a large number of buildings, but it would likely produce the secondary effects of tidal wave(sunami) destruction, destroying the entire area....and, needless to say, killing very many people.
The only way to effectively combat this is to use offshore inspections of cargo ships, something that, we not only do not have the manpower for, but is also logistically hard to implement without an offshore docking facility.
Such a facility would be destroyed by an attack of this type as well, so, the idea of building, manning, and maintaining such facilities, is dubious at best.

Matt,
You might want to mention it to our freinds in Duluth, although, if I were a terrorist, Chicago would look much better!
Either case would be catastrophic! A detonation of that size on any of our great lakes, could form waves over one hundred feet high on every coastline! Though we really have few models for comparison.
One is a landslide in a natural harbour on the coast of Alaska, it caused wave effects of over one thousand feet on the surounding tree line!
Not good in any case!

Waxm, let me starts here ok. First things first, if a ship with 4 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded off shore we would still encounter a serious wave problem in areas of the great lakes because the size in minimal compared to the oceans. The shipping areas are a concern along with the major harbors however, The upper chain of lakes connectivity is a seperate concern because it allows the free flow from the extreme south to the extreme north. Do we recall the blockage of a mass river connection for supplies in the Iraq region? I cant think of the river!!!
I agree that minnesota has a serious threat greater than most northern bordering US states to canada because if a blockage of shipping happens in the chain of lakes (leading to superior) was to happen it would effect canada. I am very aware of this and we have made mega dollars available to the military base in Duluth. We also stationed navy ships in the area ( I believe) to assist in the inspection process. the bottom line is this, A terrorist will strike at any cost regardless of reasoning! The real question is when and where?

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I believe we are taking the proper steps and evaluating the needs daily!

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Matt- I believe we are taking the proper steps and evaluating the needs daily!

Wax- My intention was not to imply otherwise, only offer what I see as a "possible" scenerio.

Question: Are ships checked before entering the great lakes, or only after docking at the port of destination?
I thought that I had read somewhere that they are at least checked for non-native life forms.

Anyway, here is another one to think about.
Our fire code can be used against us.
Two men could easily kill hundreds by stealing vehicles and blocking fire exits, then bombing the entrance of...let us say for one instance, a movie theator.
Should we not install concrete barriers, so that a vehicle can not be used to block these exits, I have noticed that all of them open outwards, thus easily insuring that no one will escape.
I can only assume that if I have noticed this, others, who may take advantage of it, have also noticed.

Waxm, If there is a fire at a theater I would think you would wish to push outwards on the door and get out fast? We need to focus on all areas but I believe the borders and follow-up is the first priority. I don't believe that we check ships outright, we check if there is cause. I agree that there are many issues to homeland security but, it doesn't seem the information is free flowing does it?

Matt- If there is a fire at a theater I would think you would wish to push outwards on the door and get out fast?

Wax- Yes, that is the idea, but I don't think that you understand what I am saying.

A stolen car can be backed up to those doors right now, and block them from being pushed open, effectively dooming those inside!

Because of our fire codes, we can not have any barriers placed in front of the doors, so a vehicle would have easy access to them.

We need to install concrete barriers to stop this before it is attempted.

Waxm: That would take 1.5 million doors and I think that is over board in cost and time. We need to guard the borders and use the citizens to
watch (mega neighborhood watch effort) for suspected activities that may need attention. If someone put a car infront of a door of a movie theater someome would call the cops on a cell phone and there are other exits. Lets not get crazy but, lets plan and I can assure you the state is in good shape! To put concrete infront of every business would take years and be counter productive. The terrorist would hit the cement and push it to the building and nobody would get out. the government would be blamed and the crap would hit the fan. The only win win deal is all citizens looking around and telling the police and each other what is going on in the area!!!!

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Neighborhood watch is the key, all people can and do see things, what is it you see??

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Matt- The only win win deal is all citizens looking around and telling the police and each other what is going on in the area!!!!

Wax- I would certainly agree with that!
My only point was that there are other risks than just airplanes.
I would, however, disagree with the cost and numbers that you site.
I have seen doors protected in the way that I am thinking of, all that we need are two posts set away from the door so that it can not be blocked. Very little money involved, really.
But let us not argue about the little things, I am in total agreement that we must all pay attention and think a little differently.

I must remind ray and ALB that the constitutional rights stay intact, its the involvement of citizens that picks up! Police state my eye.

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Waxm? seems to me developers would claim the improvemnets are of national defense and the cost would be carried by the taxpayers?

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