This was back when the FARC were very active in Colombia and it was a VERY dangerous place to visit. I remember checking into a hotel my first night there and having to go through security every bit as intrusive as we go through to board a plane. It was a HUGE inconvenience, but I didn't object as I did feel safer because of it. I certainly hope that is not where we are headed in this country.
Your question is a very fair one, have free and safe become mutually exclusive?
Any decent normal human being feels bad for everyone affected, but as a normal human being your first thoughts always go to the question, is there anyone you may know who was affected? Family, friends, etc. in this case even friends we know just from talking on a forum.
My heart also goes out to everyone injured, the families of those killed and injured, and the whole Vegas community, but especially to anyone I might know. 😥🙏🏼
younger brother in Vegas. His first words to me upon inquiring if he was okay were, "What would make you think I would EVER go to a country music concert?" He's such a smartass. Don't know where he gets it. No one else in our family is like that.
Your question is a very fair one, have free and safe become mutually exclusive?
I certainly hope they have not. Like you, I would have willingly put up with the inconvenience of all the extra security in the situation you were in. Having it become part of daily life everywhere, that would be a different matter.
Posted By: rolotomasi
Re: So sad, tragic & unnecessary Extreme tragedy. How can a society be free and safe st the same time.
Most wealthy democracies have managed this, at least in recent decades. I'd like to think we could too, if we get serious about it. This is just an awful thing for people anywhere to have to go through. I haven't seen anything yet on the Las Vegas board about any TER folks being caught up in it, and it does seem to be an isolated thing this time--small comfort, but anyway, two ways it could have been worse.
if even 20% of the attendees had a CCP, there might have been far fewer casualties. Open carry is even better. People are generally much more polite when everyone in the area is carrying.
That's ludicrous. The shooter was 400 yds away - that's a 1/4 mile - shooting from a 32nd floor window of a hotel down on the crowd. You're going to engage him with your pistol? That's not just ineffective - it's reckless. You'd be endangering a lot of people in that hotel.
Yet heard he was shooting from a hotel window, so yes, in this context, it's a stupid statement. I will save it for the next time some shooter is up close and personal.
Britain is free but not safe. Look at the number of incidents this year alone. Same in France, where just the other day two girls were knifed in Marseilles. Spain? Barcelona killings a month or so ago. Israel is the "Gold Standard" of security but there have been plenty of killings there, mostly knife attacks on the police and military. The only really safe countries are safe because ISIS and other terrorists just don't care about them. The "lone wolf" attack motivated but not planned by ISIS is about as unstoppable as any crime can be. So far, the LV murderer seems to have been a lone wolf. The difference is he had an arsenal.
Jake, you can probably relate to some of them having been to some of the countries down there, but almost all banks, supermarkets, shopping malls and anywhere else where a lot of people are gathered have private security guards in addition to having a police and military presence. (military presence is not in all countries, but very common in countries like Nicaragua, Colombia et al, not so much in Panama or CR) and by "Private security" I don't mean some old man with a fifty year old revolver, I mean real security and automatic weapons.
I've noticed in Colombia over the past decade or so, you no longer have a soldier on every street corner, but in all the popular areas where people gather, the military is able to respond in just a couple of minutes anytime they are deemed necessary. As I said earlier, I hope this is not what is in store for us here in the US, but twenty years ago if someone were to suggest that we would freely accept what the TSA puts us through to get on an airplane you'd have claimed they were out of their mind.
What you see in Latin America is standard in Philippines. Also other things. To get from street to elevator to my Condo in Manila must pass by 7 different guards, all with weapons. To get into any mall, casino, large resort, 4-5 star hotel and many 3 star hotel, all have armed guards and all check all bags, and even purse. The large expensive malls also have two lines, one male, one female. Also have metal detectors at the big malls. Every 7-11, decent restaurant, and many even regular neighborhood store will have armed guard. In Philippines I think reason is more fact that people cannot depend on Police get to location to help in reasonable time. My thoughts go out to all of people in here in Vegas. My best wishes to all. Christine
Unfortunately it looks like your attempt to purchase VIP membership has failed due to your card being declined. Good news is that we have several other payment options that you could try.
VIP MEMBER
, you are now a VIP member!
We thank you for your purchase!
VIP MEMBER
, Thank you for becoming VIP member!
Membership should be activated shortly. You'll receive notification!
