Unsubstantiated fear of terrorism headlines

July 4, 2002 8:51 AM

Unsubstantiated fear of terrorism headlines like this are an incitement to panic for no good reason. I awoke this morning to this one in the Indianapolis Star. Are all medium-sized American cities this reactionary, or is that honor reserved for The Crossroads of America?
posted by jpburns (15 comments total)

I have the feeling that if an Islamic terrorist ever considered Indianapolis as a target, they'd somehow get it mixed up with Minneapolis.
posted by jpburns at 8:58 AM on July 4, 2002

My local paper had this headline, "Cautious Fourth."

Wow. That just sings, doesn't it?
posted by ColdChef at 9:30 AM on July 4, 2002

The local Boston media have convinced themselves that the festivities on the Esplanade are The Prime Target of Evil for today. Maybe none of them read the Indianapolis Star.
posted by briank at 10:21 AM on July 4, 2002

I was born, raised and lived in Indianapolis for nearly 27 years and if that city has one abiding characteristic it is the ferverent desire to be included in everything, powered by a fear of irrelevance. Any national event cannot be reported by channels 6, 8 or 13 without first identifying the Hoosier Connection, even if that connection is as small as a person who once drove through the state for 10 minutes on the way to somewhere else.
posted by gsh at 10:56 AM on July 4, 2002

who better to spread FUD but the government?
posted by jcterminal at 11:57 AM on July 4, 2002

I'm liking this Fourth so far. Apparently the terrorist FUD has convinced the locals not to let off strings of firecrackers constantly from dawn to dusk. I don't care if it's because they're frightened of something or because they have suddenly grown some consideration for their neighbors, all I know is that I can hear myself think. [this is good]
posted by kindall at 12:28 PM on July 4, 2002

My thoughts exactly, kindall. I'm thrilled!

Fortunately, everyone around here goes to Myrtle Beach on the week of the fourth. They don't seem to be scared and I'm delighted. It's one of the few times that I don't have to deal with drunken redneck idiots on holiday weekends.
posted by mark13 at 12:48 PM on July 4, 2002

The press will print exactly what Cheney wants printed.
Besides, there has to be some sort of substitute for the real news that doesnt' get reported.
And it's so much more cost effective to not have to do your own investigations and generate your own copy.
Can't forget the primary goal of the daily papers, making maximum amounts of money for the dear stockholder/owners.
I was watching Ghandi again yesterday and heard the statement that the British people knew more of what was going on in their country than the Indian people did. Man, can I ever relate to that today in the US!
posted by nofundy at 5:26 AM on July 5, 2002

Oh, stuff it, nofundy.
posted by dhartung at 8:46 AM on July 5, 2002

Which part shall I stuff?

Do you disagree the mainstream media in the US is doing a lousy job and are a bunch of lazy whores who print the prepared text handed to them?

Do you not believe there is a practice commonly called "the Mighty Wurlitzer?" Or are you not well informed yourself?

Do you not agree that with the consolidation of media that the profit motive has taken a front seat to what was once called the primary purpose of media, "to inform the public?"

It's OK to state your areas of disagreement. I promise to listen with an open mind.
posted by nofundy at 12:01 PM on July 5, 2002

Addendum:

Terror warnings = diversionary tactic
posted by nofundy at 12:02 PM on July 5, 2002

I'd like to add that at this stage; terror warnings = the boy who cried wolf. The Ministry of der Vaterland Homeland Defense has lost all sense of credibility with these constant calls to fear. It's absurd and I don't know anyone who is paying the least bit of attention to these warnings anymore.
posted by dejah420 at 12:24 PM on July 5, 2002

My 63-year old mother told me that she was horribly fearful that something bad would happen yesterday or today.

I didn't even know there was another batch of meaningless vague warnings, nor would I have changed plans if I had. I was a bit surprised to hear fighter planes flying overhead (the Braves had a home game a few miles from my house), but that didn't stop me from excercising civil disobedience of state law by firing off tons of fireworks, illegally imported from Alabama (wearing safety glasses, with water and a cell phone close at hand, thank-you very much).
posted by jonnyp at 2:59 PM on July 5, 2002

nofundy, your fringe paranoia may well be a legitimate opinion, but please don't confuse it with analysis.
posted by dhartung at 4:17 PM on July 5, 2002

Prediction: The next terror warning will be about the All Star game. Outcome: The people of Milwaukee will feel vindicated that the terrorists of the world have turned their eyes at our fair city.
posted by drezdn at 12:54 PM on July 6, 2002