Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

America's New War: Occurrence of False Bomb Threats Greatly Increased

Aired September 28, 2001 - 08:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Since September 11th, Americans have been living in fear because of the threat of more terrorism. Clinical psychologist Mark Siegert joins us now to explain how to dissect a threat, how to know when one is legitimate and when to call a bluff.

That's the toughest determination of all, is it not?

MARK SIEGERT, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, actually, it's really not. It comes from the same motive. That last piece you had was wonderful, which talked about the powerlessness that the Palestinians felt, many of the Afghans have felt, and I think that's really the main motivation of the threats.

ZAHN: But those people are willing to blow themselves up. They don't make a threat.

SIEGERT: That's right. Well, most people who threaten don't do any acts at all. Most who don't threat do. But a lot of the difference really is, is their an organization that sort of guides and structures.

ZAHN: So explain to us the psychology of -- and one day alone, right after these attack in New York City, you had 60 or 70 false bomb threats.

SIEGERT: At least. At least.

ZAHN: Is this just a bunch of wackos out there doing this?

SIEGERT: Well, I think, in a way, the answer is yes. We have a lot of very powerless, depressed lonely people. One of the ways to feel you own some sense of power is to create terror. It's their moment of celebrity. It's their moment of fame. It's their way not to feel lost in this world.

ZAHN: But what are they? Are they watching it on TV, and watching people pouring out of the buildings? What do they get out of it?

SIEGERT: Yes, that's exactly right. They get the sense of their part of it, and they are creating it, and they can watch the power. And here's a chance to feel they've done something. ZAHN: But the problem is, as many police records show, they are very stupid the way they go about it. I mean, one even had his caller ID on the phone, so the police, you know, within 10 minutes of the threat were standing at his doorstep arresting him.

SIEGERT: Yes, it's not a deterrent. It's not a deterrent at all. In fact, in some ways, getting known for it helps, to feel powerful. So yes, I think the issue of having that sense of power, that sense of control, is such an aphrodisiac for these powerless people, they'll do anything.

ZAHN: But clearly, law enforcement agents understanding the same psychology you are talking about. They have to follow up on these bomb threats, even though traditionally, you say people who make these threats generally don't follow through with them.

SIEGERT: Generally, that's not 100 percent. They absolutely have to follow up. There is all kinds of guidelines for keeping someone on the phone, getting somebody else to call the law enforcement agents while you are keeping them on the phone, so they can try to follow through.

ZAHN: So what will stop these people from making these calls?

SIEGERT: I don't think anything will. I think we're seeing an unprecedented level of threats, of false threats going on right now, and I think we've seen them after Columbine. We've seen them after the first world trade center bombing, we saw them after Atlanta, at the Olympic Games. I think we have a lot of people that really want their moment of fame, and their moment of power.

ZAHN: Very, very sad. Dr. Siegert, thank you for your perspective this morning, appreciate it.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com