Temporary Archive: Suzanne Brockmann's Message Board

It's half past midnight here, so I'm going to bed - sorry, because it's an interesting discussion.
I just can't imagine it: firstly, because I don't think a lie like that is sustainable - everyone knows what a bomb sounds like and looks like - we know there was no gas main or oil supply running where the blast originated from - we'd have to be stupid to believe the false reports. And knowing that the media, and by extension the government, will lie to me about this leaves me paranoid, not fearless.
Secondly, I don't believe the terrorists will just pack up and stop. When we were being bombed in the 70's it was so customary that the English media didn't report the bulk of it. The terrorists didn't give up - they started bombing on the mainland where it would be reported.
Thirdly, long term, I don't think truthful reporting helps the terrorists half as much as untruthful reporting. Most people can see terrorism is wrong - most atrocities have led to diminished respect for terrorists, less funding, fewer recruits. But when the authorities are perceived as being deceitful, or spinning the news, or suppressing facts, that can appear to give credence to whatever claims the terrorists are making to justify their actions.
[Sorry to bail out - if you reply I promise to read it in the morning.]