[LoudRepublicangirl]

I think the Department of Homeland Security is just trying to let the American public know that they are concerned and that it's up to each individual American to decide from that how he or she will react. I believe prior to 9/11 there was increased chatter and since we did not have a department set up for such warnings people did not know that there was even the possibility of something. I really don't know why some people are trying to kill the messenger. If you don't want to take heed, fine, go about your business. If you want to avoid large populated areas because you are concerned that's up to you. They are just trying to let us make informed decisions.

[TexKat]

Statement By U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge

December 21 - Today, The United States Government raised the national threat level from an Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack - or from Code Yellow to Code Orange. We know from experience that the increased security that is implemented when we raise the threat level, along with increased vigilance, can help disrupt or deter terrorist attacks.

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 homeland around the holiday season and beyond.

In addition to knowing that homeland security professionals at all levels are working to keep our communities safe, we ask individual Americans to do a few additional things during this time of heightened alert. I have said it before - and I am saying it again - homeland security begins at home. Never has that been more true. Your awareness and vigilance can help tremendously, so please use your common sense and report suspicious packages, vehicles, or activities to local law enforcement.

Finally - no matter your faith or culture - now is the time of year for important celebrations. So, I encourage you to continue with your holiday plans. Gather with your family and friends and enjoy the spirit of this season. There is no doubt that we have a lot to be thankful for - not the least of which the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world. It is a country that will not be bent by terror. It is a country that will not be broken by fear. But instead, we are a country blessed with a population marked by goodwill and great resolve. We will show the terrorists both this holiday season - goodwill toward our fellow men, readiness and resolve to protect our families and our freedom.

[FairOpinion]

LayoutGuru2 just posted a picture on a long on going thread about terror info picked up from various sources, including jihadi message boards.

Here is the link to the post by LG2: LG2 post in "Al Qaeda again threatens New York, Washington and Los Angeles" thread

LG2: "Daleel has upload a new home page picture for his group. The second pic below is one that I resized and gamma-corrected."

[dawn53]

I'm all for making folks aware of increased level of threat.

I would think the terrorists would not only want to attack us, but also to run the economy into the pits.

If they were going to attack, why not right after Thanksgiving before the Christmas shopping began.

At this point, shopping has mostly been completed.

Of course, I realize, there are lots of other sectors of the economy that would be affected by a terrorist attack, but I am suprised that since 9/11 the especially vulnerable and easy target of retail Christmas shopping hasn't been targeted.

One suicide bomber in one mall on the day after Thanksgiving would have been all it took to put a serious dent in retail shopping, IMHO.

[ElkGroveDan]

Time to start hoarding scotch tape and wrapping paper.

[b4its2late]

Vey series. Running around like a chicken with my head cut off.....

[TomGuy]

Seattle news conference regarding the raising of the terrorist alert:

[COEXERJ145]

Great, now it will be almost impossible to do any plane spotting over the holidays. It is bad enough when the terror alert is Yellow but when it goes to Orange, airport employees and police go into Gestapo mode.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Ridge to raise Terror Alert, news conf. 1:30 pm Eastern

CNN reporting:

Director of Home Land Security, Tom Ridge has just learned from intelligence sources that our country is being invaded by millions of people entering our country illegally. Ridges states he was just informed of this event and that he had no idea these millions were creating nationwide fraud, epic crime, choking off our social services, taking jobs, and causing taxes to go up to the point where it was crippling many American citizens...

CNN reports further that Tom Ridge has announced that actions will be taken immediately.

[TomGuy]

NYC conference:



Rita on FoxNews just said her sources say the "threat" is the in operational phase, meaning it has already gone beyond the planning phase.
-----
Stay alert!

So far, I've seen statements by officials in Philly, NYC (now), Seattle.

[BurbankKarl]

I am comfortable that LA "had a meeting" and considered opening the EOC..! I guess when you are broke, you can't protect the public!

[JustPiper]

We have had an ongoing thread since 11-3-03...we had threat info and then some , alot of info we've been following thanx to Cindy,LayoutGuru2;FairOpinion;Calpernia and many more Freepers who should be thanked for keeping us updated through translations and investigation:

Al Qaeda again threatens New York, Washington and Los Angeles

You will see some mindboggling info and pictures at this thread!

[sarcasm]

The latest intelligence information about the al Qaeda efforts to penetrate foreign airports and airlines flying into this country had come in about 48 hours before and was soon deemed "credible," officials said. That information came from "a reliable source that has been corroborated by other things we know," one official said. The officials decided to take action upon combining this new information about possible air attacks with a variety of other recent intelligence showing that al Qaeda terrorists around the globe were saying in telephone calls and e-mails that they expected a series of synchronized attacks in this country around the holiday season, officials said.

"The extremists were expecting a very near-term attack in the United States," one Homeland Security official said. The government picked up "so many credible threats" that officials concluded they had to take action, he added.

[FairOpinion]

Tinfoil or not -- some of you may be interested in the latest info from Steve Quayle's website:


It's chilling.

http://www.stevequayle.com/


DATE : 12-21 ongoing
LOCATION: New York City;Los Angeles; Washington, DC.; Chicago

ATTACK TYPE: Stolen cargo planes loaded with WMD. Concern for radio controlled, large model aircraft containing biologicals. Additionally, female suicide bombers in cities previously noted, targeting large gatherings like sports events, malls, etc.

TARGET : New York City;Los Angeles; Washington, DC.; Chicago

INTEL SOURCEDoD sources, massive Internet chatter, al-Qaeda detainees under interrogation and pronouncements from high-ranking Jihad officials

ATTACK PROBABILITY:Extremely High

National Terror Alert Threat Level Raised to Orange

COMMENT: DoD sources have indicated FOUR 5-man teams in possession of cargo aircraft headed for previously noted targets: the White House, the Pentagon and speculation of the NY Stock Exchange. Additionally, US counter-terrorism units are specifically concerned with radio-controlled model aircraft being used as a platform to disperse biologicals over target cities. Several U.S. military gunships were spotted chasing RC aircraft on Dec. 20. In the last 48 hours, actual photographs of suitcase nukes have shown up on "disappearing" Jihad websites. Developing. . .


AND his earlier threat assessment:

12-8 to
1-1-04
New York City


Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. NYC — weapons-grade anthrax dispersed from NYC skyscrapers

Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. — "A" bombs New York City


Las Vegas strip
The White House
US and British intel, plus al-Qaeda deep operational "plants" High
COMMENT: Based on current intelligence, it appears that the attack on NYC will be weapons-grade anthrax dispersed to intentionally disrupt the city to a maximum degree. Las Vegas: it is stated specifically that a major cable network will be tipped off to cover this explosion. Casualties are expected to be enormous forcing people to flee from the attacked cities. D.C. is continually singled out as a recipient of a suitcase nuke (fission weapon), not a radiological nuke (dirty bomb). Another American city is being targeted though not specifically named. Based on previous intel, it appears that Los Angeles is the most likely candidate.
12-8 to
1-1-04
Britain dirty bomb House of Parliament US and British intel, plus al-Qaeda deep operational "plants" High
COMMENT: It appears that this attack will be concurrent with attacks on the U.S. Other countries slated for attack in major cities are Japan, China and Russia. Terrorists are referring to "survival of the fittest". These events will bring about retaliation on specific Muslim nations leading to WW3.

And previous ones from his site:

[dagnabbit]

Should be pretty hard for Al Qaeda to pull off anything here after the post 9-11 deportation of all muslim aliens, and with new muslims barred from entering the USA. </common sense wishful thinking)

[B-Chan]

In Time of Emergency

[risk]

Tom Ridge is a class act. President Bush has asked Americans to reach higher, and he's recruited some amazing individuals to help his cabinet lead the way. I listened to part of this speech and I knew we were getting the very best in security (given our current budget constraints and political realities) from Tom's staff.