LABJ FORUM: Sigh of Relief?

0

LABJ FORUM: Sigh of Relief?

With the war in Iraq over and the Department of Homeland Security lowering the threat advisory level from orange (high risk) to yellow (elevated risk), the much-publicized concerns over terrorism appear to have subsided. So the Business Journal asks:

Do you feel safer now?

Mike Nicholson

Chief Executive

LivHome Inc.

No more or no less safe. If I based my safety and security on any of the things that could potentially affect me SARS, West Nile Virus, anthrax, or homeland security color codes I wouldn’t have time to live my life. Dale Carnegie once said, “If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

Lisa Popeil

Singing Coach

Voiceworks

I didn’t feel less safe before. I have had faith in America’s ability to foil terrorist plots, so I wasn’t particularly anxious when the terror alert was high. And even with the high terror alert, it did not impede any travel plans that I would have wanted to make.

Kirk Rose

Principal

SmithGroup

I’m originally from New York, but since I’ve been out here in L.A. it all seems so distant. Unless it strikes close to home, you really don’t feel it. Although we’re all aware of the war and threat of terrorism, its very unlikely that anyone will strike Los Angeles. I work on the 47th floor of the building, and they’re selling floatation devices and all kinds of stuff because a lot of people worry, but if our number is up, it’s up. You can’t walk around worrying about it.

Lucas Wilson

Director, High-Def Post Production

iO Films

No, it makes no difference at all. I worry, but I definitely don’t feel that the security level warnings from the Department of Homeland Security have much bearing on reality. I think the whole conflict whether it was wrong or right has made our lives as Americans much more unsafe, regardless of the outcome.

Leo Gorcey Jr.

Author

“Me and the Dead End Kid”

I’m more concerned, because now we’ve irreversibly upset the political power balance of the world. The day we walked into Baghdad, the Iraqis were kissing and hugging our troops. Then a week later people were holding rallies saying America get out. We have no idea what the fallout will be. I don’t think we’ve seen the beginning of the aftermath of this. I don’t think that in this country we’ll ever rest easy again after Sept. 11th.

Janet Neman

Senior Managing Director

Charles Dunn Co.

Now that Saddam Hussein is no longer in power, I truly feel the threat of terrorism has decreased in the United States. However, we all still need to be aware of our surroundings and continue to fight for freedom, justice and peace. Unfortunately, due to 9/11, I don’t think Americans will ever feel truly safe again.

No posts to display