Flights Cut on Fear of al Qaeda Attacks (NEW info: WMD use on planes planned by AQ)

Washington Post ^ | FEb. 1, 2004 | Sara Kehaulani Goo and Dana Priest

[FairOpinion]

Intelligence indicating that al Qaeda terrorists are seeking to release a chemical or biological agent aboard an airliner, or transport a radiological device in cargo, prompted the cancellation of six international flights scheduled for today and tomorrow, senior administration officials familiar with the reports said yesterday.

The possibilities, as described by three intelligence officials, include releasing an undetectable biological agent such as smallpox or anthrax aboard a plane that passengers would then unknowingly spread; releasing a chemical agent to debilitate the passengers and crew so the plane could be hijacked, and sneaking a radiological device aboard a plane inside a piece of luggage.

Small amounts of chemical, biological or radiological material would be difficult to detect.

[Mercat]

"He was a landscaper, but only worked on established lawns."

I live in a neighborhood of established lawns and any night with temps above 35 degrees, there are bunnies all over the place.

[FairOpinion]

Thanks, Donna. Yes, I know that anthrax is not conagious. The article made a misleading, or at least unclear statement. That was what g35x pointed out.

Here is the quote from the article -- in their effort to include everything in one paragraphs, they sacrifices accuracy.

"The possibilities, as described by three intelligence officials, include releasing an undetectable biological agent, such as smallpox virus or anthrax spores, aboard a plane that passengers would then unknowingly spread; releasing a chemical agent to debilitate the passengers and crew so the plane could be hijacked, and sneaking a radiological device aboard a plane inside a piece of luggage. "

[FairOpinion]

"IIRC there was something about increased cardiac events in people who had been vaccinated? (Or maybe I hallucinated that) "

===

You remember correctly.

But I question that, because smallpox vaccine used to be mandatory for some 30-40 years, and people didn't suffer any adverse effects.

[Ethyl]

Thanks Ethyl. I wasn't asking, though...someone else did and I pointed out that I think airports have stayed at orange. I agree about the naysayers, too.

But I do think the airlines have remained at orange since before Christmas.

Yea, I know that you didn't post that, but I had seen it so many times that I just had to answer. You are correct, the airlines have remained at Orange. Which is a good thing, at least they are vigilent.

[twntaipan]

Probably civet cat. I hear Matha's Vineyard natives have a taste for Cantonese delicacies (NOT).

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Ok, I am going to bed now. I am sooo tired. I am not reading the posts accurately anymore. I see now that g35x was responding to the article. Sorry to both of you. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ for me, right now.

[BiffWondercat]

By my last account we had a few thousand left. Even one is enough to cause mass chaos. I grew up in the time that 'duck and cover' became more like 'contort and kiss it goodbye'. I think they called it MAD.

It was a rash and stupid statement. Zot's and flames justly due for my lunacy.

Quite simply, we already have our hands full with emergent epidemics/pandemics, we don't need any help from ideological/politically preverted researchers.

My 'Joke' is ICMBs - International Corporate Masters of Business! Sell your livestock and buy stock!(If I should be ZOTted there it is!)

[CyberAnt]

Well .. I think you're asking the wrong people .. last time I looked Ed Gillespie was head of the RNC .. and the President is really the head of the Republicans. Perhaps they can help you!!

[Cold Heart]

I recently saw an ad on TV asking for volunteers to test a new small pox vaccine. Sorry, I forgot which station, I do a lot of channel surfing.

[pgkdan]

That's a cheery little site you've linked to...now I'm totally creeped out. Do you remember back around Christmas when we were under the Orange Alert, there was one of those collage images posted with OBL's mug and in the upper left corner there was a football stadium that seemed to be afire. Do you remember that? Have you seen it posted anywhere lately?

[Dolphy]

There you go again, wanting somebody else to pay because somebody got sick??

What are you talking about? Workers' Compensation is insurance for people who get sick or hurt at work, it has nothing to do with lawsuits except in the cases of disputed claims. Or are you saying that all employees should provide their own health insurance, including for injuries or diseases contracted at the workplace?

[Dolphy]

I live in a neighborhood of established lawns and any night with temps above 35 degrees, there are bunnies all over the place.

I think the disease can be contracted from dead rabbits a person comes in contact with. If someone is working in fields or in an area of new homes it's more likely that he could unknowingly come in contact with a rabbit's remains.

[japaneseghost]

Most people don't realize that smallpox nearly wiped out the German population exactly 300 years ago - it seems to work worst on whites and Semites (Jews & Arabs) while the recent influenzas kill Asians first. Just reality.

I've had 2 smallpox vaccines in my lifetime.

I'd be more afraid of whatever Asian bird-flu is coming up next. There must be a damn good reason why the WHO is so upset about it.

[bootless]

Welllll, the Dems are oh-for-two:

algore endorsing Howard the Duck right before he became a real screaming meemie, and

John F'in Kerry stating that the terror threat right before this!

Good work, guys. Better start getting working on that penicillin thing. Might be a breakthrough.

[Indie]

I'd think it would spread much slower than in the old days but maybe I'm wrong :)

Exponentially faster. Better transport, more people.

[dmzTahoe]

Maybe someone can help answer these questions:

1. If they have info someone is going to be on a specific flight, why cancel the flight? Why not wait and find the suspect redhanded?

2. Are the terrorists so stupid that they can't figure out to use another set of flights, different airlines and different ports?

3. If in fact the threats are real and we have specific details, we must have some deeply placed infiltrators in the terrorist network, or else they would surprise us with other flights. Correct?

Just trying to make sense of this, as my daughter and wife will be flying to London in the summer.

[Fee]

If I was going to spread germs in US, I would infect the homeless people. Since most are on drugs or booze, they would not take care of themselves until it is too late. In the meantime they would wonder the city spreading it to the commuters and city residents.

[Dolphy]

Rabbit dung in the grass?

I don't know, maybe. I think fleas or ticks can also pass it on. So it's possible that it was contracted in any number of ways, his was the only case in the area for years.

[Indie]

Seems to me that biologicals are a more insidious attack and wouldn't make for splashy media footage. Nuclear or perhaps chemical would fit that bill better IMO

I think it would be wise to assume ALL OF THE ABOVE.

[tubavil]

It is. Major prep. in Seattle.