Intel Points to Large Coordinated Al Qaeda Attack

Fox News ^ | DEc. 22, 2003 | FoxNews

[FairOpinion]

WASHINGTON

[FairOpinion]

"large numbers of people gather at events ranging from football bowl games to massive New Year's celebrations (search) in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and elsewhere.

U.S. officials said there was specific, corroborated intelligence that Al Qaeda may soon attempt to pull off a coordinated attack in multiple places to cause mass casualties -- an attack that authorities said might eclipse that of Sept. 11, 2001 "

[WackyKat]

U.S. officials said there was specific, corroborated intelligence that Al Qaeda may soon attempt to pull off a coordinated attack in multiple places to cause mass casualties -- an attack that authorities said might eclipse that of Sept. 11, 2001

I think the most likely scenario is multiple, similtaneous suicide bombings at malls, sports stadiums and other crowded places across the country

[FairOpinion]

Suicide bombings could be part of it, but they wouldn't "eclipse" the 9-11 attacks.

I think they are concerned about something much more massive.

[applemac_g4]

I agree. What worries me a little is the low yield of the typical suicide bombing compared to 9-11. 9-11 was 3000 or so lives, a very successful suicide bombing claims maybe 30-50 victims lives. So you'd either have to have hundreds of such attacks coordinated at the same time...

...or they really do have nukes in their possession, in the US, and ready to go.

[what's up]

Dirty bomb?

I hope not!

[11B3]

Increase our personal awareness of our surroundings, OK. Worry about this? Nope. Just like 'early November's attack' that never happened, and all the rest before that. I fail to see why the Feds are giving OBL so much credit - this BS comes around at every holiday now.

Granted, they could easily pull off a mass casualty attack. Given two or three cells of three other people each (with no more training than US military basic) anyone could pull this off. But will they? This crying wolf has the possible effect of scaring us to sleep.

[Orangedog]

"Our government is doing everything we can to protect our country," President Bush said.

Closing the Southern border and attempting to patrol the northern one would be a good start.

[Orangedog]

Some of the intelligence information gathered indicates that Al Qaeda is seeking again to use planes as weapons, he said.

They won't hijacking any more passenger jets. Here's how that would go if they tried that again:

[AQ hijacker, pulls box cutter]"Open the cockpit door, infidels!"

[Passengers...laughter]

[AQ]"Why are you infidels laughing?!

[Passenger closest to AQ hijacker]"We're all just thinking about how funny you're gonna look walkin around with that box cutter shoved up your ass."

...then the beatings begin.

[thoughtomator]

You know... it just occurred to me... maybe the reason for the terror alerts, or some of them at least, and things like Ridge's amnesty suggestion (check out how he worded it), are aimed in part at gaining political momentum for closing our border. If we look at Ridge's statement as opening the discussion, there has been a lot of opposition to amnesty and very little in support of it - that could be a political basis under which to move further.

[FairOpinion]

Apparently you missed this article:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1045202/posts

"Authorities raised the terrorist threat assessment over the weekend after new intelligence indicated that operatives of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida terror network, possibly trained and licensed to fly passenger jets, may now be pilots for some foreign airlines, ideally positioning them to carry out suicide attacks, U.S. officials told NBC News on Monday.

Reinforced cockpit doors intended to thwart hijackers after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks would now protect any terrorist pilot at the controls, the officials said on condition of anonymity."

[jimbo123]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/12/22/threat.level/index.html

A government official said numerous people have been blocked from entering the country at various locations since December 1 but would not give specifics.

Another U.S. official said a handful of foreign flight crew members had been stopped in recent days.

The United States is working with airlines and foreign governments to improve their security postures, officials said.

There is concern about Mexico and Canada because of their contiguous airspace with the United States.

[nevergore]

"They won't hijacking any more passenger jets."

You're right, they'll own the pilot....Probably an international originated flight with an Al Queda pilot at the controls.....Into a Bowl Game? The parabolic shape of most stadiums would contain the blast and direct it inward...40K to 50K people would be instantly incinerated on national television...

This is the way these b*sturds think...

NeverGore :^)

[nevergore]

"They won't hijacking any more passenger jets."

You're right, they'll own the pilot....Probably an international originated flight with an Al Queda pilot at the controls.....Into a Bowl Game? The parabolic shape of most stadiums would contain the blast and direct it inward...40K to 50K people would be instantly incinerated on national television...

This is the way these b*sturds think...

NeverGore :^)

[scott7278]

"I think the most likely scenario is multiple, similtaneous suicide bombings at malls, sports stadiums and other crowded places across the country."

Hey now, let me enjoy an upcoming bowl game w/o thinking about that (LOL).

To be honest, it has crossed my mind. But if I alter my plans or stay home, the terrorists win.

[Fledermaus]

Amen.

[FairOpinion]

I am afraid you are right, and your scenario is quite plausible. I think many people have a hard time believing that there are human beings who think the way the terrorists do -- but on the other hand they resigned from the human race.

Another article:

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/7554171.htm

U.S. Says al-Qaida Studying Aviation Net

"For instance, U.S. officials have been discreetly working with their counterparts in Canada and Mexico on improved security measures after intelligence indicated al-Qaida might use in an attack an international airliner that simply passes over U.S. soil, the officials said.

"The information clearly shows they care about getting ahold of airplanes with large fuel supplies in areas with lots of people, and to do it in a way that comes in below our radar screen," said one senior U.S. official with access to intelligence, speaking only on condition of anonymity."

[hobson]

I remember reading about some missing 747's back in the summer. I wonder if they were located. hmmmm. Does anyone else remember that story?

[manic4organic]

"Authorities raised the terrorist threat assessment over the weekend after new intelligence indicated that operatives of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida terror network, possibly trained and licensed to fly passenger jets, may now be pilots for some foreign airlines, ideally positioning them to carry out suicide attacks, U.S. officials told NBC News on Monday.

Reinforced cockpit doors intended to thwart hijackers after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks would now protect any terrorist pilot at the controls, the officials said on condition of anonymity."

I don't think much would protect a terrorist pilot from a sidewinder. This is all scare tactics that you can basically do nothing about. Be aware. Finish your Christmas shopping.

[FairOpinion]

But remember, the terrorist pilots are perfectly willing to die, if they can take a lot of "infidels" with them/

It would be a terrible choice for a US pilot to have to shoot down a civilian airliner -- even to save thousands of other lives.

I don't even want to think of the Dem propaganda machine screaming about the children who were on the plane, whom "Bush killed".

[cherry]

I blame Clintoon for all of this......shucking and jiving and stealing and lying thru out his 8 years in office....

he lined his pockets and his friends...

he placed idiotic anti-American judges in position...

he killed our military and our clandestine force....

he pandered to every hoodlum on the face of the earth just so he could garner some more campaign cash or piece of a**....

and we let him do it...all of it....

we couldn't even stop the toon, how are we going to stop an unseen foreign terrorist group...

I will hate Perot for my entire life....