Sources: Major terror attack planned this summer

Living in fear is dumb.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: cerebusPu
crap. i work in DC. live right next to the pentagon.

Same here. I live like 5 minutes from the Pentagon.

 

[halik]

To quote Robin Williams' impression of Rumsfeld "I dont know where, I dont know how, but something aweful's going to happen".

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: lirion
They have to tell us this stuff now because of all the idiots running around, "OMG, Bush knew about 9/11 and didn't do anything!!!111oneone!"

 

[PanzerIV]

Something will happen, it's only a matter of time but I don't live each day in fear because there is nothing I can do about it personally. Living in fear is another form of terrorism and by doing so we let them win by default.

 

[Rumpltzer]

If they didn't "warn" us, then people would all be griping after an attack that "the government knew something and never told us!" Just look at these comissions and hearings on the 911 attack.

The warning is the FBI/government/whoever covering their butt.

 

[johnjbruin]

Anybody else feel giving color-rated warnings is the dumbest idea ever.

 

[StormRider]

I'm not really worried about me that much but am more worried about something happening to my parents.

 

[conjur]

They've used Planes.
They've used Trains.

Beware of Automobiles (specifically, semi-trucks)


Imagine a semi-truck containing a dirty-bomb in a few cities across the country.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: johnjbruin
Anybody else feel giving color-rated warnings is the dumbest idea ever.

Yes, because they'll never lower it to the bottom level EVER, because then if a terrorist attack occurs, then people will cry foul again. They're freaking dumb, and the general public, again, can't do a bloody thing about it. All those levels do is elevate the fear that people should have.

 

[conjur]

U.S. to Release Photos of Possible Attack Planners, Person Says

May 26 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. will release photos of suspected terrorists as it girds against potential al-Qaeda attacks within the U.S. in coming months, according to a government official.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Robert Mueller, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will describe people ``most likely to have information about the attacks or be involved'' and will show photos of some of those people at a press conference at 2 p.m. in Washington, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

``The intelligence we're receiving suggested that there are people in place that want to carry out attacks against the U.S.,'' White House spokesman Scott McClellan told journalists in Washington today. ``Americans should be on a heightened state of awareness.''

McClellan said al-Qaeda's targets are unknown. Large events such as the World War II Memorial dedication in Washington on Saturday, the Group of Eight summit in Sea Island, Georgia June 8- 10, both political parties' nominating conventions and the presidential election in November ``certainly present opportunities for terrorists to carry out their attacks,'' he said.

There are 18,000 potential terrorists at large, and recruitment by groups is accelerating because of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said yesterday in its annual survey.

Reports `Credible'

The information gathered by the U.S. doesn't include a time, place, target or details about the method of attack, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said this morning on Fox News' ``Fox & Friends'' program.

``Several reports, some of which we have deemed credible,'' point to an attack on the U.S. Appearing on NBC's ``Today'' show, Ridge said the stream of threat reports is ``not unlike what we've seen in the past several years.''

The Associated Press said, citing an unidentified intelligence official, said the intelligence indicates that terrorists may have and plan to use a chemical, biological or radiological weapon.

Alert Level

Ridge said there are no plans to raise the nation's terror alert level, currently at ``elevated,'' or yellow, the middle of the five-color threat alert scale.

``There is absolutely nothing specific enough that rises to the level where we would presently, today, as we speak, make the recommendation to the president to raise the threat level,'' he said on Cable News Network's ``American Morning.''

The Homeland Security Department and the FBI alert law enforcement agencies to be on the watch for terrorist attacks when they receive credible intelligence. Last week, U.S. officials warned that suicide bombers may strike within the U.S. and rail agencies were directed to step up security.

The New York City Police Department, in a statement, said there is nothing in the recent reports ``to indicate a specific threat or looming attack against New York City,'' a target of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Still, the statement said, the department ``is taking all necessary precautions'' under the assumption that al-Qaeda still sees the city as a target.

Al-Qaeda Training

As many as 20,000 jihadists, or Muslims recruited to fight a holy war, were trained by al-Qaeda in Afghanistan since 1996, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said.

``Although half of al-Qaeda's 30 senior leaders and perhaps 2,000 rank-and-file members have been killed or captured, a rump leadership is still intact and over 18,000 potential terrorists at large, with recruitment accelerating on account of Iraq,'' the report said. ``Al-Qaeda will keep trying to develop more promising plans for terrorist operations in North America and Europe, ideally involving weapons of mass destruction.''

An al-Qaeda linked group said it carried out attacks on commuter trains in Madrid in March that killed 191 people, citing Spain's involvement with the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

The war in Iraq has increased the risk of terrorism, John Chipman, director of the International Institute, said yesterday.

``The Iraq intervention was always likely in the short term to enhance jihadist recruitment and intensify al-Qaeda's motivation,'' Chipman said in London.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: conjur
They've used Planes.
They've used Trains.

Beware of Automobiles (specifically, semi-trucks)


Imagine a semi-truck containing a dirty-bomb in a few cities across the country.

I don't bother, because it won't be birmingham. Big targets like NY will be the first because it's so tightly knit. Also evacuating it would be hard and maximize casualties for the terrorists. One has to question how much harm these guys can really do, considering not a single attack has occured in 2.5 years since 9/11. You know they want to, but their hands are obviously tied to a significant degree.

Then of course the fact that more will die of auto fatalities, heart disease, cancer, etc. and you see that things need to be kept in perspective.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I figure I don't really have to worry about this stuff too much. I live really close to Oak Ridge National Lab. If a terrorist attack somehow hits that place then I probably won't even notice because I'll be part of the mushroom cloud before I have time to even realize what's happening.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: conjur
They've used Planes.
They've used Trains.

Beware of Automobiles (specifically, semi-trucks)


Imagine a semi-truck containing a dirty-bomb in a few cities across the country.

I don't bother, because it won't be birmingham. Big targets like NY will be the first because it's so tightly knit. Also evacuating it would be hard and maximize casualties for the terrorists. One has to question how much harm these guys can really do, considering not a single attack has occured in 2.5 years since 9/11. You know they want to, but their hands are obviously tied to a significant degree.

Then of course the fact that more will die of auto fatalities, heart disease, cancer, etc. and you see that things need to be kept in perspective.

My guess is they'd hit some place like Des Moines, Dallas, Kansas City...Denver.

Someplace easily gotten to via land and that is probably a bit more lax in security.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: conjur
They've used Planes.
They've used Trains.

Beware of Automobiles (specifically, semi-trucks)


Imagine a semi-truck containing a dirty-bomb in a few cities across the country.

I don't bother, because it won't be birmingham. Big targets like NY will be the first because it's so tightly knit. Also evacuating it would be hard and maximize casualties for the terrorists. One has to question how much harm these guys can really do, considering not a single attack has occured in 2.5 years since 9/11. You know they want to, but their hands are obviously tied to a significant degree.

Then of course the fact that more will die of auto fatalities, heart disease, cancer, etc. and you see that things need to be kept in perspective.

My guess is they'd hit some place like Des Moines, Dallas, Kansas City...Denver.

Someplace easily gotten to via land and that is probably a bit more lax in security.

Nah. I think they plan on infiltrating our government from the inside, by teaching the Koran in schools and have the kids pray to Allah, getting approval for calls to prayer over louderspeakers, and taking God out of pledges and censoring tv and radio of sexual content as much as possible.

Good thing we've been able to thwart their attempts! :thumbsup:

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I don't bother, because it won't be birmingham. Big targets like NY will be the first because it's so tightly knit. Also evacuating it would be hard and maximize casualties for the terrorists. One has to question how much harm these guys can really do, considering not a single attack has occured in 2.5 years since 9/11. You know they want to, but their hands are obviously tied to a significant degree.

I've cracked jokes that they wouldn't want to do anything in my backwoods state either and would target a major city. On the other hand if you want to make an impact, not necessarily of the caliber we saw on 9/11, a small metropolitan area might make a good target. People think "it won't happen here" so they are less vigilant but more importantly they will have less resources and contingency plans enabling the terrorists to maximize their damage. Look to the the attacks in Madrid. They weren't especially catastrophic yet the pyschological impact was huge worldwide.

Addressing your second point they are very patient people. They will wait and plan for just the right time to strike. I don't look at the time frame that has elapsed since 9/11 as security that they aren't waiting for some opportunity to arise. I see it as a "sleeping" period.

 

[SagaLore]

My theory. The "sleeper cells" already in our country, get use to the American life. They start families, get educations and jobs. They watch tv, hang out with friends, celebrate holidays. Then they realize they're fighting for a cause they don't want to be in.

Our biggest threat is immigration. Foreigners come in, and before they have a chance to enjoy living here and change their mind, do the damage.

If I remember correctly, 9/11 almost didn't happen ... weren't there a lot more of those guys that ended up not following through? Or maybe I'm thinking of something else...

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: conjur
They've used Planes.
They've used Trains.

Beware of Automobiles (specifically, semi-trucks)


Imagine a semi-truck containing a dirty-bomb in a few cities across the country.

I don't bother, because it won't be birmingham. Big targets like NY will be the first because it's so tightly knit. Also evacuating it would be hard and maximize casualties for the terrorists. One has to question how much harm these guys can really do, considering not a single attack has occured in 2.5 years since 9/11. You know they want to, but their hands are obviously tied to a significant degree.

Then of course the fact that more will die of auto fatalities, heart disease, cancer, etc. and you see that things need to be kept in perspective.

My guess is they'd hit some place like Des Moines, Dallas, Kansas City...Denver.

Someplace easily gotten to via land and that is probably a bit more lax in security.

why would they do that? not a great statement hitting lame weak non-"BIG" cities in the u.s. (relatively speaking.)

if you wanna make a statement, hit big cities, like they did for 911. nobody cares if springfield mississippi with a population of 5 is hit.

 

[Hammer]

they're just covering their ass in case something happens.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: conjur
They've used Planes.
They've used Trains.

Beware of Automobiles (specifically, semi-trucks)


Imagine a semi-truck containing a dirty-bomb in a few cities across the country.

I don't bother, because it won't be birmingham. Big targets like NY will be the first because it's so tightly knit. Also evacuating it would be hard and maximize casualties for the terrorists. One has to question how much harm these guys can really do, considering not a single attack has occured in 2.5 years since 9/11. You know they want to, but their hands are obviously tied to a significant degree.

Then of course the fact that more will die of auto fatalities, heart disease, cancer, etc. and you see that things need to be kept in perspective.

My guess is they'd hit some place like Des Moines, Dallas, Kansas City...Denver.

Someplace easily gotten to via land and that is probably a bit more lax in security.

why would they do that? not a great statement hitting lame weak non-"BIG" cities in the u.s. (relatively speaking.)

if you wanna make a statement, hit big cities, like they did for 911. nobody cares if springfield mississippi with a population of 5 is hit.

What is terrorism? Striking fear into the citizens. We all expect NYC or LA or DC to be hit. If a place in the heartland is hit, then no one will feel safe. Just look at Skoorb's comments that he's not concerned about Birmingham being hit.

What if it was? Or maybe Charlotte? Or Indianapolis?

We'd all be wondering who could be next.


Notice these are all still rather big cities.

 

[irwincur]

Of course they will try to hit, they want to try to unbalance the election. And contrary to popular belief it could hurt Bush if a few things happen...

Normally an attack would help the incumbant, especially a hard edged president like Bush vs. a soft liberal like Kerry. However, do not forget about the part the press will play - like they did in Spain. It was not the attacks that turned the election in Spain, it was the press coverage. Expect the media to blame the attacks on the war in Iraq, then expect the media to drum up some questionable stories of Iraq, etc... Instant anti-Bush story. It may or may not work, but expect the liberals to pounce on any disaster - after all if it is bad for the country then it is good for them.

This raises the point... Why would we vote for the guy that the terrorists obviously would prefer that we elect. I mean it is no mystery that they would love for us to vote for Kerry, why should we be stupid enough to fullfill their needs? If anything Spain should teach us a lesson, they elect a weak Socialist leader, get promises from the terrorists that they will stop, then find more bombs just weeks later. THESE GUYS DO NOT PLAY FAIR. It makes me sick that people are so stupid and so short sighted that they could most likely pull this coup off twice within a year.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
My theory. The "sleeper cells" already in our country, get use to the American life. They start families, get educations and jobs. They watch tv, hang out with friends, celebrate holidays. Then they realize they're fighting for a cause they don't want to be in.

Our biggest threat is immigration. Foreigners come in, and before they have a chance to enjoy living here and change their mind, do the damage.

If I remember correctly, 9/11 almost didn't happen ... weren't there a lot more of those guys that ended up not following through? Or maybe I'm thinking of something else...

Well, you had 19 guys that had been living it up for a while. They didn't back down.

All it takes is one.

 

[conjur]

Tom Ridge: Oh, nevermind...my bad....don't worry about...nothing to see here



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5061256/

 

[NeoV]

Ridge speaks this morning and says "The chatter isn't any different than it's been since 9/11"...

Then Ashcroft has his press conference, and the story changes......

which is it?



By the way, I think another terrorist attack in this country before the elections would hurt Bush - we spend all this money/time/troops in Iraq, yet we prove to be vulnerable? Bin Laden still operating and directing attacks against us? It would make Bush look terrible. I'm not buying it though - I still say we trot out Osama, dead or alive, before the elections.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The purpose of terrorists is to terrorize people. Just making available some vague plans to cause massive damage is evough to accomplish their purpose. Works every time, doesn't it? At least with some people.

I agree.

I think it's just the media, playing on the fears and ignorance of the public. That's what they do. If the government doesn't release this info, the press might burn them at the stake for not taking action.