[mhking]

Targetting a low-yield device at a shopping mall is stupid. Why use a low-yield nuclear device on such target?

To scare the hell out of everyone. A mall is a "soft" target that would carry plenty of collateral damage - nearly all civilian; and at this time of year, mostly women and children.

Their intent is to scare the hell out of everyone. That is one way to do it.

[LADYAK]

State of Alaska Situation
· Governor Frank Murkowski today raised Alaska’s Homeland Security Threat Level to Orange-High to coincide with the National Level. The U.S. Intelligence
Community has received a substantial increase in the volume of threat related intelligence reports. ~These credible sources suggest the possibility of attacks against the
United States to include Alaska around the holiday season and beyond. Threats include attacks against commercial aviation and nationally recognized critical
infrastructure in the chemical and energy production sectors.

· The FBI is looking for information about an individual who chartered a flight from Fairbanks to Allakaket. The individual, Noreem ZAMAN, was a possible match
with a known alias, Zaman MUHAMMAD. According to the Fairbanks FBI, the known alias, Zaman MUHAMMAD, had raised suspicions due to a recent request
to charter an aircraft from Fairbanks to Allakaket.~ The flight to Allakaket passes near the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.~ Zaman MUHAMMAD and his travel companion
did not show for the chartered flight.~ The charter company alerted the Fairbanks FBI of the irregularity.~ Other charter services and air carriers have been notified of
the two individuals. ~Anyone with information about Noreem ZAMAN can notify the FBI Anchorage office at 907-276-4441.

[Nexus]

A " Just in" story on CNN just stated that an ongoing terror related investigation in Los Angeles has been stepped up. People have been rounded up on unrelated charges, just to get them off the street. Unnamed sources claim they are "running against a ticking clock". I think they said something like "now the biggest investigation in the history of LA".

Anyone here this, or have more info???

[MediaMole]

One local mall has been blanketed with cops in response to a specific threat. I can only assume others are getting similar treatment nationally.

Also, per scanner, CAP is up in the midwest.

[bonesmccoy]

If these people are looking for the cost to terrorize, the mall has very LOW return on investment. The cost of one of these weapons is extremely high. The target zone is not very rich compared to the economic and strategic impact of a hit on a real resource.

Consumer goods are not a target, despite the wishes of the Simon Mall and Galleria people.

[JustPiper]

Went to the HIP today and traffic in the parking alone was an hour and they have these silly little security chumps and all I could think is My God, if something went off in this lot alone, we're talking a few thousand dead!