Monday, February 07, 2005

Terror and lightning

Ian Gardiner, a former Royal Marine, writing in the Scotsman, says in Fear is the key in this theatre of the absurd that "statistically, you have about as much chance of being a terrorist victim as you have of being struck by lightning."

"So, what should our own response to the terrorist threat be?

Firstly, don’t be terrified. Don’t even be anxious. Keep things in proportion. Yes, we might suddenly find ourselves slammed out of the blue into some vile violent terrorist hell. But we might also be hit by lightning, or a bus - or a tsunami. So, relax and don’t worry about it, and don’t let the media wind you up. Secondly, don’t let our own government get things out of proportion. A baleful, sceptical eye should be cast over all attempts to introduce illiberal laws and to increase government powers and spending on the back of the apparent increased threat. Don’t let them erode further your privacy or your liberty without good cause.

And, lastly, don’t stand under trees during thunderstorms, mind how you cross the road - and remember to use a condom."

Sensible advice. Now about those ID cards...

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