Europe is biggest threat - US security chief

Kev_ps3 · 16-01-2008 12:02PM #1

The US Secretary for Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, has said terrorists from Europe now represent the biggest terrorist and security threat to his country.

Mr Chertoff said it was important to increase checks on travellers from Europe to the US.

He said most people could now enter the US without being screened and he wanted tighter security regulations to be imposed.

Europe? Of all the places in the world, europe is its biggest threat?! I guess it was our turn sometime, since the rest of the world has been demonised at sometime or other.

Jesus Wept · 16-01-2008 12:06PM

Saw that earlier. I look forward to getting even more hassle from the hired goons when I make trips to America.

Kur4mA · 16-01-2008 12:06PM

That homeland security clown needs to sort out his own country before he starts putting the threat on others. The U.S is it's own worst threat and enemy. Hey Michael, you might wanna stop making it so easy for kids to get their hands on guns and kill other kids you idiot.

ejmaztec · 16-01-2008 12:12PM

If they didn't have an enemy, they'd invent one, much like the regime in George Orwell's 1984.

Morlar · 16-01-2008 12:14PM

I dont think he means europe in the context of say - the french or german governments being a threat.

I think he refers to islamic terrorists living in europe and travelling to the us from europe. Given the 911 terrorists fit that profile this makes sense.

If they were travelling from for example syria or iran they would be subject to more scrutiny than someone travelling from scotland. I actually see his point - the more obvious threats are on the radar but the assumption that someone living in europe supports western liberal democracies is not a safe assumption for them to make from a security point of view. But yes it will be a pain if they increase security again - its already ridiculous. If they think they had to I would have no problem with going along with it. Its their right to be fair.

You Suck! · 16-01-2008 12:21PM

If they didn't have an enemy, they'd invent one, much like the regime in George Orwell's 1984.

Or if you had mister chertoffs salary, you'd invent enemy's too.

Civil servants.....same the world over. Maybe orwell was making more of a statement about the inevitable clumsy survival of government beauracracys rather then totalitarian regimes

gillyfromlyre · 16-01-2008 12:24PM

Morlar wrote: »

I dont think he means europe in the context of say - the french or german governments being a threat.

I think he refers to islamic terrorists living in europe and travelling to the us from europe. Given the 911 terrorists fit that profile this makes sense.

If they were travelling from for example syria or iran they would be subject to more scrutiny than someone travelling from scotland. I actually see his point - the more obvious threats are on the radar but the assumption that someone living in europe supports western liberal democracies is not a safe assumption for them to make from a security point of view. But yes it will be a pain if they increase security again - its already ridiculous. If they think they had to I would have no problem with going along with it. Its their right to be fair.

Spot on Morlar, the hubby and I think Europe is way too lax on islamic terrorists, we bend over backwards to accomodate them, let them have their hate marches on the street in London etc, when the yanks see that on tv what can we expect??

16-01-2008 12:29PM

That's something I was wondering about actually..

I've been to America recently and had the whole fingerprint and photo thing done. Does that mean I have to do it again each time I enter that country?

Kev_ps3 · 16-01-2008 12:30PM

But surely if you were are terrorist you would use Mexico to get into the US rather than first go to europe and then try to get to into the US.
Personally, I think europe will be demonised in the future by the US media because the threat the euro has over the dollar. From history we know that the neo-cons think of anyone who poses an economic threat to the US is an enemy.

Dragan · 16-01-2008 12:33PM

I wonder which country they will invade?

We should be pretty safe. No oil or diamonds see.

ScumLord · 16-01-2008 12:34PM

gillyfromlyre wrote: »

Spot on Morlar, the hubby and I think Europe is way too lax on islamic terrorists, we bend over backwards to accomodate them, let them have their hate marches on the street in London etc, when the yanks see that on tv what can we expect??

Free speach in action. We might not agree but it's they're right to voice they're opinion in peaceful manner.

You can be sure Islamics in the US would be to **** scared of marching in America.

16-01-2008 12:35PM

Dragan wrote: »

I wonder which country they will invade?

We should be pretty safe. No oil or diamonds see.

Sweden.

Those peace lovin' hippies.

ejmaztec · 16-01-2008 12:36PM

gillyfromlyre wrote: »

Spot on Morlar, the hubby and I think Europe is way too lax on islamic terrorists, we bend over backwards to accomodate them, let them have their hate marches on the street in London etc, when the yanks see that on tv what can we expect??

Unfortunately, our political correctness is being used against us. We're supposed to be tolerant of everybody and anything and keep our mouths shut, so as not to offend anyone. That would be ok if the whole world was civilised, but it's far from it, especially with 14th Century people having access to 21st Century weapons and technology.

ScumLord · 16-01-2008 12:37PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Sweden.

Those peace lovin' hippies.

Na they can defend themselfs, we'd be an easy walkover for them, and it'd give them a good base to attack france.

Dragan · 16-01-2008 12:38PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

Unfortunately, our political corectness is being used against us. We're supposed to be tolerant of everybody and anything and keep our mouths shut, so as not to offend anyone. That would be ok if the whole world was civilised, but it's far from it, especially with 14th Century people having access to 21st Century weapons and technology.

Happily Freedom of Speech allows me to tell people when i don't want to hear what they are saying.

All this PC bull**** is breeding a generation of pussies to be honest.

Morlar · 16-01-2008 12:39PM

ScumLord wrote: »

Free speach in action. We might not agree but it's they're right to voice they're opinion in peaceful manner.

Some of those placards said things like 'europe your 911 will come' and 'behead anyone who insults islam' - far as I know some of them were eventually charged with hate speech/incitement to hatred type crimes.

I think mexico is another danger area for them too - which might explain the wall they are looking to build across the mexican border. From their point of view you dont just plug one hole. There has been at least one islamic terrorist caught driving across the canadian border with a car full of explosives. So any weakspot is potentially dangerous. I dont agree there is any connection between any of this to the dollar v euro and I doubt america want to isolate themselves or to alienate europe if they can help it. I think the truth of it is that the neo-cons see europe as 'the old world' and america /asia as the new world.

ScumLord · 16-01-2008 12:45PM

Morlar wrote: »

Some of those placards said things like 'europe your 911 will come' and 'behead anyone who insults islam' - far as I know some of them were eventually charged with hate speech/incitement to hatred type crimes.

And rightly too, but only some had those placards and of course the cameras all looked at those one's. Remember they marched in Ireland too and they're where no problems at all. If you go to animal rights or anti abortion marches you'll see placards just as violent and disgusting.

Kev_ps3 · 16-01-2008 01:04PM

ScumLord wrote: »

Free speach in action. We might not agree but it's they're right to voice they're opinion in peaceful manner.

You can be sure Islamics in the US would be to **** scared of marching in America.

Ironic isnt it? The land of free speech, and you say they would be "**** scared of marching in America", like its nazi germany.

All this PC bull**** is breeding a generation of pussies to be honest.

Well said.

Kev_ps3 · 16-01-2008 01:09PM

Morlar wrote: »

I dont agree there is any connection between any of this to the dollar v euro and I doubt america want to isolate themselves or to alienate europe if they can help it. I think the truth of it is that the neo-cons see europe as 'the old world' and america /asia as the new world.

Maby not, you never know.
I think america has already isolated itself from the people of europe. Our leaders are too scared.

super_furry · 16-01-2008 01:15PM

Everytime I hear some American talking head spout rubbish like this, I laugh. It's astounding how they warn the world about some flavour of the month nation that's the 'biggest threat to world security'. America is the biggest threat to world security - they're the ones arming everyone then starting the wars. They're screaming and shouting about supposed nuclear weapon development yet are the only country to wipe out cities full of people with one.

ejmaztec · 16-01-2008 01:30PM

One thing that the Americans don't want is a united Europe. They see such a thing as a threat, especially to their economy. They quite like it when European leaders can't agree amongst themselves. Man the barricades!

SimpleSam06 · 16-01-2008 01:32PM

Morlar wrote: »

I think mexico is another danger area for them too - which might explain the wall they are looking to build across the mexican border.

You can't wall off a continent. What they might consider doing is to stop fucking with other countries, specifically those in the Middle East, and then they wouldn't have to worry about people coming to fuck with them.

16-01-2008 01:37PM

super_furry wrote: »

Everytime I hear some American talking head spout rubbish like this, I laugh. It's astounding how they warn the world about some flavour of the month nation that's the 'biggest threat to world security'. America is the biggest threat to world security - they're the ones arming everyone then starting the wars. They're screaming and shouting about supposed nuclear weapon development yet are the only country to wipe out cities full of people with one.

So so true.

MOH · 16-01-2008 01:44PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

Unfortunately, our political correctness is being used against us. We're supposed to be tolerant of everybody and anything and keep our mouths shut, so as not to offend anyone. That would be ok if the whole world was civilised, but it's far from it, especially with 14th Century people having access to 21st Century weapons and technology.

Who are these 700-year-old people?! :eek:

16-01-2008 01:44PM

How I feel about America's ''Great'' job over the last 50 or so years.

KaG1888 wrote: »

For those of you who think that America have done a good job in the last 50 years you are quite simply WRONG. They have ruined countless countries, regions and cultures with their ''constructive democratic policy''. I read alot of history, modern and not so modern. Some of the stuff I have read has been absolutely appalling in America's ''golden period''. Read some books about what they did to countries like Somalia in North Africa and you might just change your mind. The jist is the typical American approach of lending weapons/money to people who they knew couldn't pay it back to tackle a communist uprise(You guessed it, backed by the Soviets) in the country. Somalia are doing wonderfully now eh?(think of America every time you see a Concern advert)It makes me laugh at the amount of racsist Americans who smear black people for coming over to their country for a new life when America were the ones that ruined their previous one. I could list so many countries Vietnam, Cuba , Iraq, Paraguay etc. The list of countries and lives ruined is endless.

Then the corruption within the country itself is laughable. There are so many back handers with the drug lords in South America(yes the ones they are supposed to be stopping) its pathethic .America is generally a corupt country from the spine down under every leader they instate. The world is finally starting to open their eyes and see it.

Someone commented about China being the ''Superpower'' in the next 50 years and I honestly believe this is the sad road we are going down. Can you imagine a country like China ''running'' the world? (scary thought eh?) With their basic human rights issues and their medievil law system.

The United Nations should be a stronger organisation and they should be the world power not one country by itself. There should be a collective thinking before countries get invaded to stop a dictator ,to stop the country developing nuclear weapons etc.

One final note to the people who ''love'' America -

Read into the last 50 years before you sings praises about it. Remember the winners write the history while the losers only sing the songs so read stuff that is independent and not biast. Saying America is doing a great job is an actual f**king insult to some people so please think about touchy subjects before writing about them.

ps ~ I am an Irish Catholic living in Dublin just so people know I am not from one of the countries America ruined & am biast.

pwd · 16-01-2008 01:58PM

yeah we're the "unsinkable aircraft carrier" aren't we.
Of course they're using us as that already, so no need to invade.

Morlar · 16-01-2008 01:59PM

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

You can't wall off a continent. What they might consider doing is to stop fucking with other countries, specifically those in the Middle East, and then they wouldn't have to worry about people coming to fuck with them.

Not to go offtopic but they can. If they want. Their choice for whatever reason whether its security or economic. Whether they should is another thing - and they are better placed to decide that in my opinion.

MOH wrote: »

Who are these 700-year-old people?! :eek:

Presumably he meant people who continue medieval (or even stone age) practices like the sharia law (ie stoning adulterous women to death). They would be a good example of people who are living in the 14th century.

ejmaztec · 16-01-2008 02:05PM

Morlar wrote: »

Presumably he meant people who continue medieval (or even stone age) practices like the sharia law (ie stoning adulterous women to death). They would be a good example of people who are living in the 14th century.

Spot on!;)

rossie1977 · 16-01-2008 02:06PM

Deleted User wrote: »

That's something I was wondering about actually..

I've been to America recently and had the whole fingerprint and photo thing done. Does that mean I have to do it again each time I enter that country?

yep every time

this story comes as no surprise to people who watch idiots like bill o'reilly and glenn beck (which is a large portion of america). These fools have been spewing this bulls*it for the last 4 years and twisting all the news pictures to suit themselves

Morlar · 16-01-2008 02:13PM

rossie1977 wrote: »

yep every time

this story comes as no surprise to people who watch idiots like bill o'reilly and glenn beck (which is a large portion of america). These fools have been spewing this bulls*it for the last 4 years and twisting all the news pictures to suit themselves

I would agree bill o reilly is an idiot - the way he treated that guy whos father was killed in 911 was shameful (cant rem the name and couldnt be arsed googling it) - he basically all but attacked him for being against the iraq war.

Having said that bill o reilly does not write american foreign policy - its a bit simplistic to put this all down to american 'conservative media folks' and an un-informed electorate. I would give americans a bit more credit for that.

If anything its the other way around and its the perception in europe that 'all americans are stupid' is down to the media in the form of springer, judge judy etc. The reality on the ground is different in my limited experience.

Kev_ps3 · 16-01-2008 02:20PM

Morlar wrote: »

Presumably he meant people who continue medieval (or even stone age) practices like the sharia law (ie stoning adulterous women to death). They would be a good example of people who are living in the 14th century.

And America is sooo much better isnt it? They are sooo 21st century.
Do you know that they still execute people using the gas chamber and the electric chair? (as recently as last september). So please dont talk to me about 'them' and 'us'.

Europe is biggest threat - US security chief

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