# Is the latest "terrorist attack" a real threat or the act of another lame poser?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-latest-terrorist-attack-a-real-threat-or-the-act-of-another-lame-poser/522854>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [December 28, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-latest-terrorist-attack-a-real-threat-or-the-act-of-another-lame-poser/522854 "2009-12-28T23:56:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-latest-terrorist-attack-a-real-threat-or-the-act-of-another-lame-poser/522854/61 "2010-01-06T18:57:05Z")

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> [@Broomstick](#):
>
> I think real terrorist organizations encourage semi-competent types to do these things in order to probe our defenses. If they score big, fantastic for the cause. If they don’t, well, you’ve eliminated a potential liability/idiot from your ranks and you still might learn something about security holes.

I’m going to respectfully disagree, since it usually has exactly the opposite effect. If a terrorist organization can spot a hole in security, they need to hit it big and fast. Incompetent half-efforts like the shoe bomber and underpants bomber raise awareness and cause those holes to be sealed.

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**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-latest-terrorist-attack-a-real-threat-or-the-act-of-another-lame-poser/522854/62 "2010-01-06T19:00:13Z")

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> [@gonzomax](#):
>
> Wait until they develop a suppository bomb.

You might have something there. If I were to ram two condoms up my anus–one with an explosive, the other with a catalyst–then board a plane, adjourn to the commode, remove said articles and mix, I could see some serious damage being done.

Chemists–would this be possible?

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**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-latest-terrorist-attack-a-real-threat-or-the-act-of-another-lame-poser/522854/63 "2010-01-06T19:15:48Z")

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> [@blindboyard](#):
>
> Robin Cook, the late foreign secretary, claimed “al Qaeda”, “the base”, was originally the CIA nickname for their mujahideen assets. So al-Q is just a name, and the name was dreamt up by the CIA. Ironical.

Right, it is essentially slang for “Mujahideen”.

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