post-Boston security (Page 2)

So you're against all security measures? Intersting.

What about, say, the security overnight when you must leave your bike in transition at a triathlon? You realize that was only implemented when bikes began disappearing..

Bikes have been getting stolen since there were..................bikes.

I meant to do nothing more than we do now.  Leaving bikes worth thousands of dollars unattended is an invitation to thieves.  Basic security measures against theft are sensible.  Taking measures against a threat that virtually doesn't exist isn't logical and peversely encourages more terrorism as they know they can get to you and change your way of life.

I admit I get really passionate about this subject as I feel like I've lived under the cloud of it all my life but I will not curtail to their madness and it really pushes my buttons when I feel like society is starting to do just that.

How about this: more people died in the two years after 9/11 as a result of traffic accidents that were taken in trips resulting as people being scared of flying because of terrorists.

Source: http://thestatsblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/fear-of-flying-after-911-led-to-increase-in-auto-deaths/

But there didn't used to be security in transition, or people checking wristbands to bike numbers after races... simple measures put in place to prevent that kind of stuff.

You take measures that are proportionate to the threat.  In this instance there is no need for the common man in the street to do anything but remain vigilant (as we all should have been before).  I’m not telling you to get used to it, accept it, be passive about it or bend over and take a grenade up the backside – I’m advising you to not respond in a disproportionate way as it gives them a small victory and encourages them to do more.  Don’t let them change your way of life or occupy your brain time.  You’re so much more at risk of falling down the stairs of being killed by a mis-hit golf ball than you are by a terrorist.  I'm on your side. 

Right. This targets a very well documented threat. Millions of dollars worth of bikes in transition, lots of folks out there who are intent on stealing bikes. Easy to justify.

In contrast, there is no evidence of a concerted plan to specifically disrupt multiple endurance running or triathlon events. 

The bikes are in a contained area. It is relatively easy to implement security that protects the bikes and keeps unauthorized people from entering. These measures have little to no impact on people who are racing or spectating.

Boston had quite impressive security. They were set up for everything from crowd control to a nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons decontamination tent. A couple of students with backpacks pretending to be spectators caused this mayhem. Without adopting draconian limits on liberty, you live with an acceptable level of risk.

I agree. But I also don't think a clear check bag takes away anyone's liberties.

They symbolise fear and do nothing to reduce the risk.

Apples and oranges....there are no simple measures to stop terrorism....that's why it works.  So you ban bags....and then the moron with a bomb strapped to his body walks in and blows himself up....now what?  Ban Jackets that could hide a bomb?  So you do, and some jerk tosses a grenade into a crowd before he ever gets to a checkpoint, now what? 

There will be more bombings.  There will be more terrorism.  There should not be less freedom.

Quite an interesting perspective. 
Whatever any of us believes, unless we are the race director and chose to use the old bags, or eliminate security, or what not, we're all going to have to deal with it and make our decisions accordingly. That's all I was trying to say.

I'm not trying to have a go at you Lisa, like I said, we're on the same side. We do have to deal with it.  The facts are we are lucky enough to live in the safest and most privilleged time and places in the whole history of the world.  We've all studied and worked hard to be able to do so and I'm not going to let a few freaks undermine that existence and state of mind.

They might blow me up tomorrow and do you know what.  I don't care.  They don't have exlusivity on need being unafraid of death but I'm not using that to strike fear into others, I'm using it to defend myself against it.  Every second I spend on this earth will be on my terms, not theirs.  And that's why this lot, the last lot or the next lot will never win.