These things happen, but they are incredibly unlikely to happen to you. They're trumpeted in the media and discussed on HN because they are so outrageous to our sensibilities, not because they are common, everyday occurrences. They're very rare in a country of 300 million - but still too common on the grounds they should never happen.
In reality, you would be much better off and safer visiting the US now than you would have been in the past - especially the 60s and 80s.
In reality, you would be much better off and safer visiting the US now than you would have been in the past - especially the 60s and 80s.