to think the general public are living with their heads in the sand.

[violetsarentblue]

I've just read this:

Britain's threat level has not changed - it has been at "severe" since August 2014, meaning a militant attack is considered likely.

It's worrying to think there has probably been a lot of stuff going on, for a long time, that we are never ever told about.
It's very worrying.

[TheMasterMurderedMargarita]

YABU.
Terrorism. To cause fear. Let's all live our lives worrying about what may happen.
It is absolutely shocking what goes on but I don't think many people are oblivious. Just trying to get on with living.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Trouble is, what are we supposed to do? We can't live our lives in constant fear.

[Beebar]

That's what the terrorists want, they want us to live in fear. Well they can fuck off to the far side of fuck.

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

YABU

The vast majority of the population are fully aware that we are under threat, but what can we do about it. I would rather get on with living than live in fear.

[Dullfromdullsville]

Well i think anyone who watches/listens to the news will be aware of the terror risk in the UK, however what can we do to change the fact? What I mean is, people still have to go about their daily business and hope and pray that something as awful as what's happened in Paris doesn't happen here.
Personally I do feel anxious about taking kids into central London and have done for a long time. I worry that Christmas crowds will be targeted.

[ottothedog]

What do you want people to do? The uk population is over 60 million. The statistical likelihood of being involved in a terrorist attack is tiny.

[Enjolrass]

Unaware of what the terror threat level.

I honestly think most people are aware. Yabu

[violetsarentblue]

I agree with you Master that it's best to get on with our lives.
But, it still shocks me - to wonder at all the things that are going on behind the scenes that we don't get to hear about.
We probably only ever get to hear half the real story,the tip of the iceberg.

We are more than likely protected from the rest. Ignorance is bliss?

[msrisotto]

You think you know something we don't? No. We know the threat level is on high and has been for over a year. But what do you want people to do? Hide away? Run around screaming?? Don't be silly.

[ilovesooty]

I don't see the point of worrying about statistically small risks you can't do anything much about.

[museumum]

If you visit the British museum you will see all the security measures required by "severe". Many other places are the same. I think we just put it to the backs of our minds so that we can get on with life. I mean you have to don't you?

[violetsarentblue]

msrisotto, I read it on a Yahoo newsfeed.

[WorraLiberty]

I thought just about everyone was fully aware?

It was all over the news after the last couple of attacks in France.

[MajesticSeaFlapFlap]

What can we do?

Really, Not being snarky, what can we do other than carry on?

[Madbengalmum]

Keep your wits about you, but never EVER let them win by not getting on with your life!

[Beebar]

Yes, there's loads we don't get to hear about: due to media bias, ongoing top secret missions, the arms trade, govt political preference and so on.

But YABU. Half the shit that goes on, I don't want to know anyway. Ignorance IS sometimes bliss. We would all live in horrible terror if we knew half what actually goes on.

[TheMasterMurderedMargarita]

But do you think it has ever been different?
That the general public have been privy to everything that happens? Cold war? World wars?
We are more informed than our parents/grandparents due to the Internet but a good deal of that is misinformation. Would having access to whatever information it is you think they are withholding cause you to change how you go about your day to day life?

[WorraLiberty]

Ignorance is also very necessary.

[HermioneWeasley]

Do you really want the security services to post an update every day of what they're up to?

All I can say is they're clearly doing a bloody good job

[fitzbilly]

We don't need to know everything though. We can't do anything about our so why do we need to know?

We cannot live in fear, or let terrorists dictate how we live.

[hefzi]

There was a large operation across Europe, including in the UK, last week, that arrested a number of those suspected of involvement in terrorism. It would be interesting to know whether it transpires there's a connection with what has happened in Paris.

When people were ranting about how stupid people were going to Sharm, they were ignoring the fact that the terrorist threat rating in France, the UK and Egypt is - and has been for ages - exactly the same.

Ignorance is bliss, clearly, since most people don't seem to be aware of this! And the security services are effective by not advertising what they are up to - imagine: "Hello, there, GCHQ here: just be advised we are listening in to your cozy chats on your cellphone with your ISIS buddy in Syria..."

[PerspicaciaTick]

When I was working in the 80s, every phone in the office had a terrorism checklist beside it. So when someone called with a bomb threat, we would have as much information as possible to give to the police,

The checklists are back now. The main difference is that today's terrorists don't bother calling, they don't just want to shut down a city they actually want to kill as many people as possible.

[WorraLiberty]

The security services seem to be doing a fantastic job so far.

Especially when you consider that we hosted the Olympics and the rugby world cup.

[Finallyonboard]

I'm aware an attack had been considered very likely for some time. It isn't possible to just sit at home and do nothing though, so we carry on. I've just got back from Paris and before that london too! I was aware when I went that the threat level was significant, but again, nobody can predict where/ when the next attack will happen. It could be anywhere sadly.

Having said that, I'm off flying. To me, flying isn't worth the anxiety it causes me.