From the Horse's Mouth...

03 Dec 08

Just received this from a friend, an American, who nearly didn't survive the recent carnage in India:

"The people who did this have no souls. They have no hearts. They are simply the living manifestation of evil and they only know killing and murder. We all of us - need to understand that. Their target tonight was first and foremost Americans. Why? Because they fear everything that America stands for. They fear hope and change and freedom and peace. Let's make no mistake; they would have shot me and my children point blank tonight with out a moment's hesitation. Most of us sorta know that, but sometimes we equivocate. We can't equivocate. Not ever."

Comment: We will never change the behavior of these terrorists, any more than we will change that of venomous snakes. The idea that we can somehowmake them suddenly "like us," is the province of fools, and soon-to-be-dead ones!

/John

Stay put, or get out?

03 Dec 08

Stay put, or get out?

During the terrorist attack of a building, those caught inside need to make a decision immediately. Should I stay put, or attempt to escape?

Of course, there is no risk-free option! Indeed, either option is fraught with danger, but here are lessons from recent events:

1) "Rescue" is a lot further off than you think! It will take several days for authorities and tactical teams to arrive, assemble, get organized, make a plan, and begin actively seeking out terrorists and innocent victims. You' ll have to hold out all that time. When captured, you probably won't! Those wounded, when they remain where they are, will likely bleed to deathlong before any possibility of their being rescued. Bottom line: "rescue" is mostly myth!

2) Escape is likely to be successful sooner, rather than later. At the beginning of the event, confusion is king! Everyone is bewildered, shocked, and disorganized, including terrorists. No terrorists plan ever goes exactly as anticipated, and, in the beginning, terrorists are at the weakest and least ordered. Eventually, terrorists will consolidate their gains, cut off all escape routes, murder, tie up, or otherwise incapacitate hostages, and rigthe building with explosives. Thus, the longer you delay, the less likely that your escape attempt will be successful.

3) A "lock-down" does little more that herd people into coffins! When instructed by "authorities" to stay put, get out immediately! Don't worry about venturing into "unauthorized" areas. Get out of and away from the building any way you can, and as quickly as possible.

4) Avoid upper floors of hotels. Stay on the first or second floor. That way, you can escape out a window without being confronted with a suicidal fall. Tie bed-sheets together to make a descent rope, when necessary

5) When staying in a hotel, never unpack! Keep everything packed-up and ready for instant departure.

6) In foreign hotels, the registration system is linked to passports and can be used by terrorists (who know exactly how it works) to identify you as a US Citizen. Accordingly, find a reason to change rooms, even floors, every few days. The tactic will throw the system into confusion. It will be difficult for anyone to know exactly where you are.

7) Likewise, switch cabs often. Notice when the driver talks on his radio/cell-phone the moment you depart the vehicle. All drivers are suspect! None can be trusted.

8) Likewise, keep note of behavioral and routine changes on the part of hotel staff and endemic locals. Terrorist plans are hard to keep secret, and the word often leaks out among locals. When you notice significant alterations in their routines, it's time for you to depart! 9) Get to know folks at the Marine Detachment associated with the US Embassy. They can tell you, in real time, what is going on locally, without the heavily filtered/sanitized "official" State Department party line.

10) If not a gun, locally acquire several good blades and have them with you always. Dispose of them prior to departure.

11) Most importantly, act at the critical moment! Don't become a victim of the "paralysis-of-analysis." Avoid capture at all costs! Don't wait to be rescued. Stay in motion. Keep your head up. Watch your back. Don't relax too soon! Kill without hesitation, when necessary.

/John