[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

[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.

[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.

[MissAmericanPie]

"Our government is doing everything we can to protect our country," President Bush said. "American citizens need to go about their lives, but as they do so, they need to know that governments at all levels are working as hard as we possibly can to protect the American citizens."

If there is another attack, that baloon is going to turn out to be made of lead. I feel pretty sure that crossing their fingers is not really a good enough plan for a Homeland Security agency costing 34 bil. They no longer demand passangers lists from international flights, the borders are still open, visas are still given away like soap cupons.

Another big attack will no doubt be a political career killer.

[Prime Choice]

Here's a little bit of intel to toss right back to al Qaeda...

[Agnes Heep]

Somehow I doubt that they'll act against us anytime soon. If they do, it won't be with the support of a sponsoring nation.

[texastoo]

The borders are wide open. Our streets and highways were clogged today with cars from Mexico. Bumper to bumper.

[Lucky2]

I'm considering these threats as the real deal and frankly I'm a bit nervous. I'm just glad that President Bush is in charge not algore or one of the 9 dwarfs.

[holdmuhbeer]

i don't think it'll happen. al queda is devastated, they're just playing psychological warfare now.