Superbowl XL - Is this the target Al Qaeda has been waiting for? "the American Hiroshima?” (VANITY)

1/26/06 | ErickS

[flutters]

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[sheik yerbouty]

Mace Neufeld was the producer, and he folded like a cheap suit..

[Quilla]

I consider your commentary to be one of the most interesting and noteworthy of the day. Add to that the comments of repubzilla in posts 80 and 85 and we have a viable scenario on our hands. Frankly, I wish this thread hadn't been relegated to Blogs/Personal as your theory needs publicity.

[jw777]

oh, man. come on!

[1curiousmind]

Thanks for the comment. And I too make wisecracks about it from time to time. It doesn't seem real that we are even discussing this scenario. But it is our reality. I just came across the testimony of Sam Nunn last summer before the 9/11 commission regarding the Threat of a Nuclear Attack. They aren't very reassuring.

"We believe we have to heighten awareness if we want to reduce the risk to our citizens and the world...We believe seing the danger is the first step to improving security; and that public understanding is essential if these challenges are to get on and stay on the front burner for policymakers.....In measuring the adequacy of our response to today's nuclear threats, on the scale of 1-10 I would give us about a 3..."

http://nti.org/c_press/testimony_nunn911commission_062705.pdf

The question is how do you help 65,000 football fans understand the real danger that they might be in, help prepare them to respond if something does happen, help inform them of the possible terrorists like El Shukrijumah so they might help spot him if he is in the area, without ruining the spirit of the whole event? Like another comment said, if they cause us to live in fear, they've won.

[KylaStarr]

>>If an attack happens in Detroit during the Superbowl, it hits at multiple fronts. First, it would be broadcasted live. Second, it hits at something (Superbowl) very American. And third, if the attack is large enough, it hits American automobile industry.<<

Adding on to your thought... fourth, it would hit the entertainment industry. I've not kept up with the half time performers so other than the Rolling Stones, I don't know who all will be performing but I imagine quite a few headliners. Big hit for entertainment?

[angelsonmyside]

1curiousmind

You brought up some eye opening facts that I was unaware of and I thank you for posting this. Actually I have been concerned ever since 9/11 that a Super Bowl could be a target. I pray it is not the case but with these crazed terrorist you never know what is in their minds.

As far as the student at OKU, I always wondered why it was announced so suddenly that it was a suicide and attention was shifted away from the incident just as quickly.

[1curiousmind]

>>If an attack happens in Detroit during the Superbowl, it hits at multiple fronts. First, it would be broadcasted live. Second, it hits at something (Superbowl) very American. And third, if the attack is large enough, it hits American automobile industry.<<

"Adding on to your thought... fourth, it would hit the entertainment industry. I've not kept up with the half time performers so other than the Rolling Stones, I don't know who all will be performing but I imagine quite a few headliners. Big hit for entertainment?"

Both of you are right. And the obvious, the death toll would make 9/11 look like nothing. Although any sports event would be a devastating blow...the Superbowl carries with it that sense of invincibility that the Trade Towers conveyed.

[Philistone]

I take it deadly seriously. I even posted a similar thread days ago (which ended up down the memory hole).

The Super Bowl would be a super target, granted.

I don't happen to be one of those who believe that by talking about it, we are "giving terrorists ideas" (the event would have been planned long ago).

I just don't happen to think that a dirty bomb exploded in Pluckistan would have the desired effect (why piss off the Canucks to attack the US?). Besides, the radiation effects two miles upwind would be minimal.

Possiblities:

Truck bomb. Used to devestating effect in OK City, Lebanon, Tanzania, etc. But also the most difficult to do (Ain't gonna be no unauthorized trucks within 3 miles of Ford Field).

Backpack bomb: OK, extremely difficult to detect (especially when you have 60,000 people waiting in line to go through security). But so it kills 80 people? Not really worth Osama's time, I would think.

Nerve gas: Could be deadly within the confines of an enclosed stadium. Would have to be several people involved (getting a large container through security would (I hope) be difficult, getting several smaller containers through, easier.) I call this one a possible. Do they have nerve gas? Other kinds of chemical agents? Don't know.

Biological agents: The easiest. Find 20 people, infect them with Ebola and give them tickets. But the effects would not be seen on prime time (which is what makes the Super Bowl an inviting target). Not much point in having a prime time audience for your terrror attack if the effects won't be seen for days later.

Plane crash: I ASSUME that Plucky authorities are working with the US to shoot down any unauthorized plane that gets within 50 miles of Detroit. I assume it. I don't know for sure that it's true.

I do agree that the bin Laden message was a precursor to an attack, and that the Super Bowl is an inviting target.

What we don't know is whether the people he was sending the message to are still operational (I assume that communications have been VERY limited to ensure that we don't intercept them).

It could also have simply been a "message in a bottle"... "Hey, if any of you guys are still out there, now would be a good time to attack!" (Again, sending human couriers back and forth between Canada and the Afghan-Paki border does not make for detailed communications).

My $.02...

[WestCoastGal]

Or, another thought....since many will be watching TV that day they hit someplace else. We all know they usually go back to complete unfinished business and we all know where those places are. I think if they have the ability to hit, they want a BIG audience.

I don't know the answer, it's maddening at times. You've also seen the [unconfirmed] rumors about muslims being told to get away from the westcoast. Who knows?

[1curiousmind]

Your welcome and thanks for the comment. I imagine that anyone who has been in a large stadium since 9/11 has thought to themselves at one time or another how such a venue makes so much sense as a target. What none of us knows is whether or not attempts have already been thwarted. My guess is yes. And yes, that UO incident was bizarre. It appears that law enforcement played dumb in order to follow the roommate back to the cell. Which could explain the 3 Algerians being arrested...but who knows??

[WestCoastGal]

RR you were just at the Bronco game :( how was the security?

[1curiousmind]

Sorry, I did a search before posting but didn't find your thread. A couple of comments....there will be thousands of Americans in the stadium but also in Canada (or in between) so a bomb (nuclear, conventional, or with a chemical component) would be effective anywhere in the vicinity. BTW I read elsewhere that a chemical mixing truck and trailer was stolen from KY/TN and that truckers have been alerted to be on the lookout for a man who has been asking strange questions of chemical and fuel truck drivers. And lastly, the Canadian govt announced a few months ago that there were indications that Al Qaeda might be trying to obtain the deadly strain of the Bird Flu for use as a terrorist weapon. Good night!! Where does it end?!

[Philistone]

We may, of course, be going about this the wrong way (forgive my having worked in PR for awhile and thus learning to think outside the box about media coverage). Attacking the Super Bowl itself may not be as important as the fact that 100 million Americans will have their TVs turned on and tuned to one channel.

Osama is smart enough (and watches enough CNN) to realize that the networks would cut away to any terrorist attack anywhere in the US - taking 100 million viewers with them.

He may (repeat "may") also be smart enough to realize that a good part of the anti-terrorist resources of the US are going to be focused on Detroit. Might be a good time to attack Chicago... or Miami... or...

[kimosabe31]

bump

[cubreporter]

I think YOU think the steelers are bad. NOT the steelers themselves!!!

[1curiousmind]

An interesting thread just added by someone:

Canadian jets muster to protect Super Bowl


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1565666/posts?page=1

[clawrence3]

At the risk of "tipping off" the enemy:

Future Super Bowl Locations


Super Bowl XLI, South Florida -- Feb. 4, 2007 (CBS)
Super Bowl XLI will be the record-tying (New Orleans) ninth Super Bowl played in the Miami area. Super Bowl XLI will be the fourth Super Bowl played at Dolphins Stadium. The other five Miami Super Bowls were played at the Orange Bowl.


Super Bowl II -- Green Bay 33, Oakland 14
Super Bowl III -- N.Y. Jets 16, Baltimore 7
Super Bowl V -- Baltimore 16, Dallas 13
Super Bowl X -- Pittsburgh 21, Dallas 17
Super Bowl XIII -- Pittsburgh 35, Dallas 31
Super Bowl XXIII -- San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16
Super Bowl XXIX -- San Francisco 49, San Diego 26
Super Bowl XXXIII -- Denver 34, Atlanta 19
Super Bowl XLII, Glendale, Ariz. -- Feb. 3, 2008 (FOX)
Super Bowl XLII will be played in a new stadium that is currently under construction in Glendale, Ariz. The site of the 2008 Super Bowl was decided at the owners' meetings in Chicago on Oct. 29-30, 2003.


Super Bowl XXX -- Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17
Super Bowl XLIII, Tampa, Fla. -- Feb. 1, 2009 (NBC)
Super Bowl XLIII will be the fourth Super Bowl in Tampa, and the first one since 2001, when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34-7, in Super Bowl XXXV. The first Super Bowl in Tampa was held in 1984, when the Los Angeles Raiders beat the Washington Redskins, 38-9, in Super Bowl XVIII.


Super Bowl XVIII -- L.A. Raiders 38, Washington 9
Super Bowl XXV -- N.Y. Giants 20, Buffalo 19
Super Bowl XXXV -- Baltimore 34, N.Y. Giants 7
Super Bowl XLIV, South Florida -- TBA, 2010 (CBS)
The Super Bowl will return to the Miami area in 2010, when it will surpass New Orleans for the most Super Bowls. It will be the fifth Super Bowl played at Dolphins Stadium.

http://www.superbowl.com/features/futuresites

[clawrence3]

On balance, I agree - more publicity (even of our weaknesses to some extent) so we can work to make things more secure, rather than trying to hide info that is already available through Google.

[clawrence3]

U.S. government restrictions on air and river traffic as well: "DETROIT (Jan. 26, 2006) -- Federal authorities announced restrictions on air and river traffic during the Super Bowl.

A temporary flight restriction will be in effect within a 30-mile radius of Ford Field on game day, Feb. 5, from 4 p.m. ET until midnight, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Scheduled commercial and cargo flights will be allowed in and out of Detroit Metropolitan Airport in the suburb of Romulus, and general aviation will be allowed to use some local airports, but traffic will be restricted at Detroit City Airport, the FAA said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard said it will enforce a security zone along the Detroit waterfront of the Detroit River that will be off limits to all vessels from 8 a.m. on Jan. 31 until 8 a.m. on Feb. 6. The zone covers 1 mile from Joe Louis Arena to north of the Renaissance Center and extends 300 yards from shore.

Authorities will monitor and board vessels that come close to the security zone on the river, which separates Detroit from Windsor, Ontario.

The Coast Guard is coordinating local, federal and Canadian maritime security efforts around the Super Bowl."

http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9190135

(Did you also notice that thread # ending in 666?)