"Soft Targets" as Schelling Points

The connection should be clear, but in case it is not: many soft targets
are Schelling points for terrorist actions.

Putting yourself in the mind of a terrorist or militia crazy or whatever,
where would you attack?

The Olympics, obviously. (And security officials of course see the same
Schelling point, hence the unprecedented security measures and presence.)

Given that most Olympic events are well-guarded, etc., what's the next
target to look at? Crowded public gatherings, where the "message" can still
be delivered and where security measures are problematic.

There are tens of thousands of such soft targets/Schelling points in an
"open society," and it is unreasonable to expect to defend each one of
them. (Costly, too.) And if they are so-defended, the attacker moves to
other targets.

Keep your head down.

--Tim May

Boycott "Big Brother Inside" software!
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed.
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May              | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
tcmay@got.net  408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA  | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Licensed Ontologist         | black markets, collapse of governments.
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."

On Sun, 28 Jul 1996, Timothy C. May wrote:
> Putting yourself in the mind of a terrorist or militia crazy or whatever,
> where would you attack?

     Ok, you asked. 

     Much depends on my goals. 

     If my goal is simply to get my name/cause in the paper, I would hit 
     major sporting events (Superbowl, World series, World Cup, olympics & 
     etc.) I would also hit cause specific targets (If I were a radical 
     tree hugger, I'd hit Werhauser(sp?) corporate offices, Dow Chemical 
     Offices etc.) If I were a black panther, I'd hit police stations, 
     Klan Headquaters, &etc. 

     These are far to elementary, after giving it some thought (well, it has 
been on and off my mind since G. Gordon Liddy published his open letter to the 
president many years ago:

     If my goal was to basically reduce this country to jelly, it would take 
(In my decidedly none professional judgement) about 20 or so men (20 two man
teams would be better, but the more people, the bigger chance of leakage, but
it would make their jobs easier) Anyway: call it 20 teams. 

     Saturday afternoon (preferably mid may) in 20 Walmarts across the 
country 20 stolen cars go boom (really big boom) at about the same time. 

     Sunday Morning Sarin gas introduced into churches.

     Monday Morning, Rush hour:
     In LA, New York, Boston, Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix, Chicago, 
San Francisco, St. Louis, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Albuquerque, 
Las Vegas (is there a rush hour in Las Vegas?) Houston, Cinncinatti(sp?), 
Atlanta, Little Rock, Detriot, & Des moines, cars parked along side of 
the highway (near bridges were possible) blow up. Around noon that day, 
thermite and WP gernades (or home made equivalents) are ignited in the 
buisness districts (or casinos of Las Vegas). 


     The government will react with overwhelming restrictions of personal 
freedom, and the militas will react, the government will clamp down further,
the militias will gain popularity & america will divide itself. 
     
     If I were inclined to such behavior, and had the funding, That is how I 
would do it. 


     Other ideas: Random Shelling of business districts, airports and 
subdivisions.  

  
Petro, Christopher C.
petro@suba.com <prefered for any non-list stuff>
snow@smoke.suba.com