# If you were a terrorist in the US where and how would you strike? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 13, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899 "2003-02-13T19:54:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/81 "2003-02-16T23:24:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Daoloth \* > \*\*I would shape plastic explosives like Reid attempted to use into the shape of chewing gum, and detonate it on an airplane. Practically foolproof. \*\* Well, plastic explosives are supposed to be foolproof, but Reid still managed to mess up. Guess there’s nothing foolproof if you’ve got a perfect fool. ---
**Author:** ![fighting\_ignorant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ac8455/32.png) [@fighting\_ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fighting_ignorant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/82 "2003-02-17T00:39:06Z")
Sharks with lasers on them ---
**Author:** ![fighting\_ignorant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ac8455/32.png) [@fighting\_ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fighting_ignorant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/83 "2003-02-17T00:40:15Z")
Or dogs with bees coming out of their mouths ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/84 "2003-02-17T00:43:09Z")
I don’t think the terrorists would attempt anything much larger in scale than 9/11. Their goal is to frighten the USA into withdrawing from the Middle East and to bring attention to their movement, not to bring about their own certain annihilation. You may have noticed that after the scale of the 9/11 attack was revealed, none of the terrorist groups who usually claim responsibility for everything that happens to their enemies claimed responsibility. I even recall hearing about one group claiming responsibility as soon as the news circulated, and then withdrew that claim after they realized that the towers had been destroyed, but I can’t recall where I read it and it sounds like it may not be true. Anyway, I think we should expect an ongoing series of small violent attacks that are supposed to wear us down over time, not massive attacks that kill thousands, because the possibility of an extreme reaction from the USA is too risky. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/85 "2003-02-17T00:46:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fighting ignorant \* > \*\*Or dogs with bees coming out of their mouths \*\* So when the dogs bark, the bees come out and sting you! How devious and crafty! God, I hope the terrorists don’t do that! ---
**Author:** ![Anaxagoras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b77776/32.png) [@Anaxagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaxagoras)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/86 "2003-02-17T16:02:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by prisoner6655321 \* > \*\*Can you provide a cite for this, Anaxagoras? > > I thought we still used coal and natural gas as our major source of electricity. \*\* A small overstatement on my part. No, the majority of our power comes from coal- and _oil_-fired power plants. But the base load – that is, the power we use 24/7 – comes from nuclear power plants. And, no, I don’t have a cite handy. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/87 "2003-02-17T16:22:58Z")
Has there been any new nuke construction since three mile island? The bottom fell out of the industry. ---
**Author:** ![knock\_knock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/22d042/32.png) [@knock\_knock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knock_knock)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/88 "2003-02-17T19:18:20Z")
**If you were a terrorist in the US where and how would you strike?** In the conservatory with a candlestick. ---
**Author:** ![Marine\_One](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marine_one/32/3461_2.png) [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/89 "2003-02-17T20:22:14Z")
I’d blow up a grain silo in the middle of Kansas. Then I’d take responsibility for it. It would freak people out that a terrorist would destroy something in the middle of the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/90 "2003-02-17T20:24:37Z")
If you were a terrorist, you couldn’t _find_Kansas. No offense. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/91 "2003-02-17T20:41:20Z")
In '01 I spent a lot of time thinking about what someone who _really_ wanted to do as much damage as possible would do with a supply of anthrax. A note that says “Boo! This is anthrax! Go load up on antibiotics or you’ll be sorry!” seemed a little counterproductive. Supposing I wanted to create as much harm as possible with the same amount, I’d use it to cut cocaine (or something similar), and make sure it ended up in the hands of an “upscale” dealer with a wealthy, respectable clientelle. An illicit delivery system with which the victims were complicit would slow down the investigation, and there would be scores of deaths before the toxicology folks pointed out the common denominator. Or load small amounts into hundreds of helium balloons and sell them in public, at fairs & whatnot. If the balloons were popped it would aerosolize the anthrax, and there would be plenty of cases of inhalation anthrax from poor folks who just wanted to sound like Alvin the chipmunk. Bombs & incindiaries in theatres would scare the hell out of everyone, and seriously mess with the economy — in the short-term, anyway. I’m sure that the theatre operators would be pleased as punch to have an excuse to institute airport-level security which would make it a lot easier to enforce the “No outside snacks” thing, and sell more $5 fountain cola. ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/92 "2003-08-23T14:43:55Z")
Before the attack I’d pull all the blue reflectors from the street that mark where fire hydrants are and put down new ones where fire hydrants aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![hebesphenomegacorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b9e5f3/32.png) [@hebesphenomegacorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hebesphenomegacorona)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/93 "2003-08-23T16:10:12Z")
Insert a computer virus that deletes everything in the pentagon. Then begin the bombing. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/94 "2003-08-23T16:44:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jk1245 \* > \*\* > > The fact that it hasn’t happened makes me wonder if the terrorist’s abilities to pull of attacks of any kind are not really what they’re cracked up to be. Not saying we should get complacent, but neither should we stay up nights worrying. \*\* I started wondering that after they used three suicide bombers in the same truck in the [Mombasa Bombing](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2522207.stm) . A waste of (human) resources… Large crowds are packed together at sporting events, many of which are televised live. A light aircraft packed with explosives could do a lot of damage. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/95 "2003-08-23T17:26:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mascaroni \* > \*\*Large crowds are packed together at sporting events, many of which are televised live. A light aircraft packed with explosives could do a lot of damage. \*\* Not as much as the panic would cause. **Broomstick** can tell you better than I, but the average SUV is a bigger threat than a light plane. You want _big_ damage? Take out Hoover Dam, everything below the dam will be wiped clean off the face of the Earth, not to mention the blackouts which will occur throughout the West due to the loss of it’s generating capabilities. Small, three man saboteur teams can take out substations across the country as well (thus sowing chaos as the rest of the country will think that the same thing’s happened there, not to mention it’ll take longer to get the power back on out West), place truck bombs at major highway junctions, to make it difficult to move around (thus hindering rescue efforts) and a few small bombs set off in major cities to totally unhinge the populace. Of course, if something like this were to happen, one could expect several Middle Eastern countries to immediately cease to exist. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/96 "2003-08-23T17:47:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tuckerfan \* > \*\*Not as much as the panic would cause. **Broomstick** can tell you better than I, but the average SUV is a bigger threat than a light plane. > > You want _big_ damage? Take out Hoover Dam, everything below the dam will be wiped clean off the face of the Earth, not to mention the blackouts which will occur throughout the West due to the loss of it’s generating capabilities. Small, three man saboteur teams can take out substations across the country as well (thus sowing chaos as the rest of the country will think that the same thing’s happened there, not to mention it’ll take longer to get the power back on out West), place truck bombs at major highway junctions, to make it difficult to move around (thus hindering rescue efforts) and a few small bombs set off in major cities to totally unhinge the populace. > > Of course, if something like this were to happen, one could expect several Middle Eastern countries to immediately cease to exist. \*\* It would be what the IRA used to call a ‘spectacular’… I was thinking more in terms of the UK, where, other than a big state occasion, it would cause the most deaths in one go. Although,\* from a terrorist’s point of view\*, 9/11 would be hard to top. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/97 "2003-08-23T18:18:57Z")
In one Andrew Vachss book, Burke thwarted a plan for a group of terrorists to drive trucks full of explosives over the 12 (?) bridges and tunnels into and out of Manhattan and detonate them all at the same time to destroy the bridges and tunnels. ---
**Author:** ![killaapp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cdc98d/32.png) [@killaapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/killaapp)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/98 "2003-08-23T18:34:22Z")
Now that shows fighting ignorance… Give the rag heads ideas… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/99 "2003-08-23T18:59:19Z")
I expect that they go to the library, killaapp. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899/100 "2003-08-24T03:08:30Z")
I’d use a 1920’s style deathray (alright I’ll stop) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-terrorist-in-the-us-where-and-how-would-you-strike/154899.md?page=6)