Posted on 12/25/2003 3:42:34 PM PST by varina davis
Disaster Teams Said Ready for Terrorism
December 25, 2003 05:16 PM EST
WASHINGTON - Disaster teams are ready to respond to any strike by the al-Qaida terrorist network and special equipment is monitoring the air for biological agents in some 30 cities, the Bush administration said Thursday.
Four days after the nation went to a high Code Orange status and turned up its vigilance against terrorism, the threat had not diminished. "Credible reporting suggests al-Qaida continues to desire to attack American interests," said Brian Roehrkasse, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.
"People have their antennas up," he said.
President Bush was spending Christmas at his mountaintop retreat at Camp David, Md., where he received updates from senior advisers and military aides, said White House spokesman Jim Morrell.
The increased threat level triggered activation of the disaster teams, composed of government experts from different agencies.
The teams would:
-Provide expert advice and support to the on-scene commander if there's a threat, or an incident involving weapons of mass destruction.
-Respond to any release of radiation with advice and air monitoring equipment.
-Provide medical personnel to assist state and local medical authorities.
Besides the contingency teams, Homeland Security officials have stepped up their vigilance in searching for evidence of a biological attack.
The agency previously modified air pollution monitoring equipment in 30 cities to pick up any biological agents and provide test results in 12-to-24 hours.
With the latest threat, officials took several dozen units from the government's inventory and installed them in some of the same cities. The cities were not identified for security reasons.
U.S. officials were conferring with other governments in an effort to prevent suspected terrorists from boarding airplanes heading to the United States.
"We're concerned about flights originating from international countries including Mexico and others," said a national security official, insisting on anonymity.
U.S. officials were closely monitoring the situation in France, where six Air France flights between Paris and Los Angeles were canceled Wednesday and Thursday.
French investigators questioned seven men pointed out by U.S. intelligence but found no evidence they planned to use a Los Angeles-bound jet to launch terror attacks against the United States, French authorities said Thursday.
U.S. intelligence officials told their French counterparts that members of al-Qaida would try to board the planes over Christmas, said a French judicial official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
as usual! ;-)
NordP
I have been busy (as usual), Something has just clicked.
Assume al-Qaeda HAS acquired tactical (suitcase) nukes. Assume NEST (Nuclear Emergency Search Teams) has clandestine surveillance set up in most major metropolitan areas. You know, BIG cities. BIG targets
So, not being stupid, AQ decides to "nuke" some Mashed Potato Falls, out of the way, podunk town. One where NEST monitoring is not likely. One where beer drinking is a major crime wave. At the top end, maybe Des Moines, IA. (Demo primary heaven). In any case, it would have to have a population in excess of 10K. It HAS to have the potential to provide bodycount in excess of 9/11.
It has to be in the "heartland", and be able to provide a long residual effect.
I am reminded of UBL's words from Feb. that he will martyr himself in the "belly of the Eagle".
Whether he is dead or not is irrelevent. IF (notice it is a big IF), AQ has a tactical nuke, IF AQ was successful in getting it through the border (Mexico most likely), IF they vaporize a rural community, ALL they have to do is intimate that UBL personally delivered the device.
'Voila, instant Islamic martyr.
If he is currently dead, then he is thought of as an Islamic hero, not wormfood in an Afghani cave. If he IS still alive, He can go into deep hiding, emerging in a couple of years.
Of course the question begs, why a rural podunk town?? Easy. To demonstrate that NO ONE is safe. Not anywhere not anytime.
Recent offical activity has me a bit concerned. I am not a tin-foiler by nature, but, this time they have my attention.
Semper Fi
dogfight is to cockpit
as firefight is to foxhole
I would highly recommend a book called "Life After Doomsday" by Bruce Clayton. I believe you can get it from Amazon, etc. Practical info from shelter to food and defense. Written in the late 70's I believe or early 80's but well referenced and easy to read. Lots of expedient info for little advance warning.
Oops! Found my copy!
Paladin Press ISBN: 0-87364-175-2
Nonstop Mexico City to Paris
Nonstop Toronto to LAX (Sears Tower at Chicago)
Glad to hear you're joining up.
Since your FR profile page doesn't indicate your home state, you'll have to pick from the list here.
-archy-/-
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.