February 22, 2003
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What changes have taken place in your life as a result of the increased awareness of terrorism?

Nothing much. My aversion to being in large crowds has increased.

Jane, 63
West Linn, OR USA

There's probably been some stuff done to combat the IRA that I'm not aware of.

Aly, 17
Cardiff UK

No significant changes have taken place in my life since the increased awareness of terrorism. I suppose I give some thought to morbid "what if's" more now than ever before in my life, but I certainly don't dwell on anything in particular. However, I did refuse my daughter an all-expenses-paid plane trip to Florida about a year ago; at the time this felt like the right thing to do.

Fisch, 47
Preston, CT USA

It has not affected me personally. Im just as scared to fly as before, not particularly more.

Tam

I don't know. I notice the differences in economy rather than differences in awareness of terrorism, mostly.

Karen, 23
Ames, IA USA

not many really. i guess i'm a little more pissed at the white house than usual, but that's because of an oil war, not terrorism.

A-Dog, 20
Eugene, OR USA

I am more critical of our government than ever before and I leave at least an extra hour earlier than I have in the past when flying. Other than that there is remarklably little difference to my life.

Felicia, 37
Lowell, MA USA

No changes in the daily life but I'm taking a flight a week from Monday and have to get to Logan Airport about 2-3 hours before takeoff.

Alias Irrelevante

Not much. I may think about it a little more often, but I haven't changed anything drastically in my life. I pretty much figure that a kit that costs hundreds of dollars is not worth it and garbage bags over the windows aren't going to save me either! One day at a time...we'll see.

Tracy, 24
Ocean City, NJ USA

Well, in the first place, it changed where I honeymooned. I was married on Sept. 22, 2001. We were going to Washington, D.C., to do the museums and the Mall, etc., because we only live about an hour and a half from DC. We went to Natural Bridge instead. Other than that it has changed how I look at people. I am more alert when traveling. More suspicious.

Cindy, 41
VA USA

I have made absolutely NO changes in my life as a result of "increased awareness of terrorism". I'm not going to let terrorists change the way I live in any way.

Doug2, 30
Kansas City, KS USA

Not much. Although - don't take this the wrong way - I have a growing distain for people who think that terrorists getting into the United States is Canada's fault. When you pull up to the booth, you talk to American guards (ie. NOT Canadians) that determine if you're fit to enter the country. What super bugs me is like Inside Edition or shows like that when they supposedly do an exposé that reveals how easy it is to walk right from Canada into the U.S. Total bullshit propheganda.

Keri-Jade, 23
Brampton, Ontario CANADA

I am at bit more jumpy about things. I commute to Newark, NJ on the NJ Transit train that goes into NYC Penn Station. Last week, with the terror warning at HIGH, I have noticed that all the garbage cans had been removed from the train stations, platforms and in the subway. This way there nowhere to place for a package with a bomb in it. This week they have hung up clear
plastic bags to put your trash into. There is more security at Penn Station. There are police and dogs on patrol. When the police and their dogs come onto the train to walk through the train, you just cannot help at being a bit nervous and wonder what are they looking for?

My husband works new building construction in Jersey City (where some of the terrorist cells where and what they call the new ground zero because it is only one mile across the wind and the river from NYC) and police have come onto the job and asked them to be aware of anything suspicious, any one delivering materials to the job that they do not know, check out who the
driver is and what is delivered. Let me tell you , when the oil refinery barge blew up in Staten Island yesterday, people where more than a little concerned that is wasn't terrorism. Sometimes I feel like chicken little running around crying, "The sky is falling!!!". It is definitely a scary world out there and it is hard to keep the panic from creeping into your mind.

Janet, 45
E. Brunswick, NJ USA

None, except that I might be more on the lookout for odd behavior.

Judy, 62
Easton, KS USA

We live in Washington DC. The Washington Post printed a list of Personal Preparedness and Bill and I have gone over it. A couple years ago we each bought 72-hour kits and have gotten them out to update. We each work in Gov't facilities and for me, the only visible change is heightened security checks. Bill is an armed security guard and has worked 12-hour days ever since 9/11. His job is Top Secret so he hasn't told me a lot about what goes on at work. I just know he's exhausted when he comes home each night.

Reba, 57
Gaithersburg, MD USA

I haven't changed my routines at all. However, whenever I hear of a fire (like the one in Staten Island yesterday), my first thought is terrorism. I am also very worried about the ways the Bush administration is chipping away at US civil liberties.

Laura, 38
Lowell, MA USA

I live in a rural area which is very unlikely to be the target of even the most humble terrorist. I've spent perhaps a total of 15-20 minutes (spread over several occasions) explaining slowly and clearly to some unsophisticated neighbors that our chances of winning the lottery are better than our chances of being singled out by terrorists.

Jill, 61
Saylorsburg, PA USA

I haven't changed much of anything, really.

Tam

I only see changes when I go to the airport and that's rather infrequently. My every day life hasn't
changed.

Cathie, 53
Novi, MI USA

Makes me aware that with the talk of bioterrism and war, I may not live to have children or grandchildren. I want to sit on a front porch chair next to my husband when I'm 95 and watch my children run around the front yard. Makes ya think that may not happen.

Stephanie, 25
TX USA

I try not to get too scared. When I reach that frenzy mode I just turn off the TV. I works all the time to calm me down,(a drink doesn't hurt either!)

Karen, 23
Ames, IA USA


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