Orlando theme parks add metal detectors

Tekwardo said:

Terrorists don't care about you having to wait a few more seconds to enter a park.

Nonsense. Bin Laden flatly stated that putting us in a constant state of fear was one of their goals. And we did them one better - we're irrationally fearful.

The problem with blindly accepting security - and worse yet, in your case, criticizing those of us who don't blindly accept it - is that because security theater isn't very effective, what happens when something happens despite its use? Our society will once again justify a further erosion of what we're willing to accept for what really amounts to little more than the illusion of safety.

I have overheard numerous conversations from either co-workers, family members or friends that say that they are leery of entering the theme parks because the measly bag check does nothing to thwart someone with a bomb strapped to their chest. Yes the metal detectors may not be 100% effective, but its the perception of safety from a guest's perspective. Additionally, some gun toting loon intending to harm innocent people would perhaps think twice about tucking something away in their under-britches if they knew metal detectors exist at the venue. So yes Tek, I agree with you.

They're making it easier... Instead of the shooting happening on the inside... They are gathering all the people on the outside in a big group just waiting to be mowed down.

If it's security theater, and no one is in fear, how have the terrorists won? What about parks adding these because of gang violence, which is definitely the case? I'm not talking about TSA, which is indeed security theater. But the fact that you're lumping in ALL of what you seem unnecessary security as a result of terrier is ridiculous and insulting. There are tons of things the government does that are ineffective. Case in point, locking down Massachussets and going door to door with guns looking for terrorists.

You're waiting to get wander at Cedar Point has so much less to do with it.

I graduated from a high school that had had a school shooting and we went thru metal detectors, bag checks, and wanting EVERY day. Years before 9/11. Due to thug gang violence. But there were no locked doors anywhere else nor anyone stopping someone from going out during class to their car to get a gun. THAT was security theater. And it surely wasn't due to terrorists. The fact that you're all blaming this on terrorists and radicals is insane. It's not a huge inconvienience and it's not always or even often that this has to do with what you're blaming it on.

I know Carowinds reason was gang violence. I'm sure since that's an issue in SoCal that's likely the reason there. Chicago and Jersey too.

its one thing to legitimately complain about your rights being taken away by the government. Theme parks and sporting events are not a right. If you don't like what's happening, the less you're in line for security checks, the quicker I can get to my favorite coasters.

Nya!

djDaemon said:

Tekwardo said:

Terrorists don't care about you having to wait a few more seconds to enter a park.

Nonsense. Bin Laden flatly stated that putting us in a constant state of fear was one of their goals. And we did them one better - we're irrationally fearful.

Yes, this. By definition, this is what terrorism is. The acts themselves are horrifying, for sure, and while it's not my intention to suggest that the death and destruction is inconsequential (it certainly isn't, especially if it involves people you know), it is at the end of the day the kind of tragedy that is small in scope. Terrorism doesn't exist to inflict widespread harm, it exists to threaten the potential for it anywhere. But again, it's a 1 in 20,000,000 chance. Imagine putting that energy into something like car automation, where you have a 1 in 77 chance of dying by way of auto accident. Or raising money for cancer research, which has a truly frightening 1 in 7 chance of taking your life. Terrorism is a mostly psychological issue.

Tekwardo said:

It's not a huge inconvienience and it's not always or even often that this has to do with what you're blaming it on.

I'm only slightly annoyed at the inconvenience. But I'm ashamed of the acceptance and especially justification of this stuff.

If we weren't so irrationally fearful of terrorism, we would likely turn a more critical eye toward whether or not bag checks and the like are an effective or, more to the point, justifiable deterrent to gang violence.

delan said:

I have overheard numerous conversations from either co-workers, family members or friends that say that they are leery of entering the theme parks because the measly bag check does nothing to thwart someone with a bomb strapped to their chest.

Well, at least Cedar Point has a beach where those people can bury their heads in.

wjere were the complaints before y'all started blaming this on terrorism? That whole blaming terrorism for everything seems to be going both ways here.

I've yet to see people say they want bag checks and metal detectors at parks because of terrorism. I have seen people complain about not enough security at parks when unruly kids or gang violence breaks out.

Like what happened at scarowinds.

This week I've learned that the founding fathers would be embarrassed at how cowardly we are to let bag and metal checks happen, but people who are for having guns as a legal means of protection given by the founding fathers are wrong.

Or... you can do what I do and put something embarrassing (but completely safe) in your bag so that everyone gets extremely uncomfortable. That's how I WIN! ;-)

Am I the only one that thinks the parks, especially the destination resorts in Florida, are in an impossible, no-win situation? Add metal detectors and bag searches and it's decried as "theater", invasive, and inconvenient. If this type of security was not in place and an attack, terrorist or otherwise, happened that could have been stopped with tighter security, then the parks would be vilified for not doing enough and it would devastate their business.

Carrie J. said:

Or... you can do what I do and put something embarrassing (but completely safe) in your bag so that everyone gets extremely uncomfortable. That's how I WIN! ;-)

I don't think anyone thinks the metal detectors actually do anything, but the subsequent question becomes whether we make a big stink on principle or just deal with the minor inconvenience and go along on our merry way. I could see either choice being reasonable.

djDaemon said:

Nonsense. Bin Laden flatly stated that putting us in a constant state of fear was one of their goals. And we did them one better - we're irrationally fearful.

To the point where Barack Obama is speaking on my TV right now with the graphic "Keeping America Safe is Number One Priority" on the bottom third.

I thought slowing the rise of the oceans and making sure the global temperature drops .01 degrees over the next century was the #1 priority.

And golf.

^...LOL...cute!

Disney Fans Surprising Reaction To New Metal Detectors

Showing, yet again, how easily placated the average schmoe is.

Seriously, I had no idea that people were afraid for reals. I always thought it was little more than media talking points. But like, people are legitimately glad these were put in. That's WAY more terrifying than any threat of terrorism.

While I am not under any illusions that metal detectors stop actual terrorism, I do think they will reduce the number of guns accidentally or "accidentally" carried into the parks, which, to me, is a good thing. Is it worth all the effort? I don't know.

Lord Gonchar said:

Seriously, I had no idea that people were afraid for reals. I always thought it was little more than media talking points. But like, people are legitimately glad these were put in. That's WAY more terrifying than any threat of terrorism.

And that's why the politicians pander to the fear-mongering nonsense. They see the disproportionate response, and they swoop in to offer a virtually hyperbolic, chest-thumping promise to save you from all of those bad people (Muslims, Mexicans, Democrats) who are coming to take your life, your job, your virginity, etc. This is why I find it ridiculous that anyone takes sides in US politics, because both sides do the same thing: They appeal to what you're scared of to attract your vote, and it might be from different angles, but it's the exact same damn thing. Both sides believe you can't take care of yourself, and they have the answers.

Tekwardo said:

wjere were the complaints before y'all started blaming this on terrorism? That whole blaming terrorism for everything seems to be going both ways here.

Can't speak for anyone else. I've always blamed things like TSA and security theater on terrorism.

I have seen people complain about not enough security at parks when unruly kids or gang violence breaks out.

Which costumed attendants probing bags at the entrance would do little to stop. The shortcoming in those situations would be a park's security efforts inside the park, it seems to me.