Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread 5

CNN ^ | March 12, 2004

[thecabal]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- This week's deadly train bombings in Spain will not lead to a rise in the U.S. color-coded terror threat alert system, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman said Friday.

"Based on the current intelligence, we have no specific indicators that terrorist groups are considering such an attack in the U.S. in the near term," said department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse.

[freeperfromnj]

France and China? That's very unusual. I feel that there is so much evil wheeling and dealing going on in the shadows. I know this has always been a global war on terror, but I feel that it's starting to veer off to a whole other level. I can't put my finger on it but I sense that the Islamists are trying to start a full scale world war.

[jerseygirl]

Not to digress, but this also showed up on the Gertz file. (It makes me wonder if the Chicoms might attack Taiwan while we are preoccupied with terrorist threats):

From Bill Gertz's website:

www.gertzfile.com/gertzfi...eRing.html
Chinese interference

Niu Qingbao, an aggressive advocate of communist China at Bejing's embassy in Washington, has sent an e-mail to Senate aides urging them to warn their bosses against supporting Taiwan's upcoming referendum.

At issue, is a "Dear Colleague" letter circulating in the House that calls on lawmakers to go on record supporting the island's March 10 voter referendum. The referendum calls for peaceful means to settle the China-Taiwan issue.

"We believe that you, the people of Taiwan have consistently demonstrated your passion for human rights, transparency, and the democratic process," states the letter sponsored by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, California Republican, and Rep. Peter Deutsch, Florida Democrat. Addressed to the people of Taiwan, the letter adds, "Your 23 million citizens have earned the right to decide for yourselves the issues affecting your well-being and security."

The Senate Republican Policy Committee is circulating the House letter in hopes of starting a similar message in the Senate. An aide said that interference by Mr. Qingbao is helping to spark interest.

Mr. Qingbao's e-mail to Senate aides said, in part, "I have learnt with grave concern that Congressmen Peter Deutsch and Dana Rohrabacher have issued a public statement in support of the 'referendum' advocated by [President] Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan and are soliciting co-signature of other members. "As experts on foreign affairs, you know only too well that this 'referendum' has nothing to do with democracy and everything to do with abusing democracy as a cover for Chen's pursuit of 'Taiwan independence' and getting himself re-elected on the very day of March 20.

"I thank you for your attention and hope you will advise your senator against cosigning this open statement should it come to your attention."

Washington and Beijing adhere to the "one-China" policy, refusing to recognize Taiwan's independence. But President Bush has said the United States will come to the island's aid if China invades.

[jerseygirl]

I feel that way too. It's like a global chessgame. Alliances shifting. Why would France be "exercising" with China? Have the French assessed that it is in their best interest to ally with the Chinese? If so, why?

[freeperfromnj]

Fox News Alert: They have the Ohio sniper in custody

[nw_arizona_granny]

MILF

That I have found.

Thank you, next time that I see it, I will know who they are.

MILF

http://www.luwaran.com

[freeperfromnj]

You actually digressed in the direction I find myself going.

[jerseygirl]

Another odd thing I've been thinking about recently. Saudi Arabia recently signed a long-term oil deal with Russia, and, if I remember correctly, is considering doing the same with China.

I almost get the feeling that these "traditional allies" KNOW something devastating is going to happen to the US - and they want to preserve their self-interests.

[TexKat]

Fox News Alert

Suspect in custody: Ohio snipper, Charles McCoy Jr. 29 years old. Drives a Chevy Metro.

[jerseygirl]

AT LAST! Great news, Texcat!

[Revel]

That is an old post that I reposted per request.

[Domestic Church]

"It's time for some preemptive strikes"

I understand the logic of this but it still blows me away to try and discuss it. I hope what ever we do, it can be quick enough and strategic enough. I hope it isn't nuke but something more advanced that changes the entire paradigm to our favor as we had to do in WWII. Preemption is a really wild card to play. It could end up being 52 pick up.

[Rushmore Rocks]

A good friend of ours, who teaches geo-political theory (whatever that is) has voiced concern for many years about an alliance of China and Russia against the West.

A frightening thought!

That army could go for weeks fueled by nothing but rice, beets, and cabbage!

[Velveeta]

Hurray!

[Rushmore Rocks]

Sorry....I should pay closer attention.

Too many hours today with a teething grandson, a cranky
87 year old father, and a mother who is really P.O.'d at him.
(my father...not my grandson.)

I'm caring for a grandchild and elderly parents. Am I what they call the "sandwich generation"?

[nw_arizona_granny]

I am not sure who said it, but would bet on daleel.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Sounds like the Haarp will do everything, except dishes.

The Oil Companies were using something of this nature, 25 years ago to map the oil deposits in the Black Mountains north of Hwy 68.

This info was from the BLM Geologist, in person.

I had seen the small airplane with hoses or pipes hanging out and there were printed reports of the way it worked.

Too far over my education, for me to understand more than the basics.

Now George Mussar I took out to the mountains, when he was in his 80's, he had dowsed most of Mohave County for oil and used a "special" branch, with an oil soaked cloth on the end.

Dowsing I can understand.

You do have to wonder if Haarp plays a part in the Elks disease and Yellowstone eruptions?

[knak]

Elk Leave Area Plagued by Mystery Deaths

[jerseygirl]

:) What is your take about France & China cozying up, and the Saudi's signing long term oil deals with Russia.

[TexKat]

Putin brushes off U.S. criticism of one-sided campaign, claims victory for second four-year term

By BURT HERMAN

Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW (AP) -- President Vladimir Putin on Monday promised Russians more of the stability and order that helped him win his landslide re-election, and pledged to open up the political stage to divergent voices after a campaign criticized as unfair and one-sided.

The head of Russia's Central Election officially declared Putin the winner early Monday, saying he won a second, four-year term with 71.2 percent of Sunday's vote.

"I think I have worked hard all those years, and I worked honestly. People must have felt it,'' Putin said, appearing before reporters at his Red Square election headquarters tieless, wearing a black sweater under a black blazer. "I promise you that for the next four years, I will work in the same mode.''

The former KGB agent is credited by many Russians with bringing stability to this nation after the social and political upheavals brought on by the collapse of the Soviet Union. He has been helped by high world prices for oil, Russia's main export commodity and the engine driving its economy. Putin's image as a disciplined, sober, hard-working official also appealed to Russians after his predecessor Boris Yeltsin's health troubles and reported alcohol abuse.

Putin's closest challenger was Communist Nikolai Kharitonov, who had 13.7 percent of the vote with 99.2 percent of the precincts reporting, said Central Election Commission chief Alexander Veshnyakov. Four other candidates shared the remaining votes. Election officials said 64.3 percent of the registered voters cast ballots, surpassing the 50 percent required for the election to be valid.

Putin's convincing victory -- considerably higher than the 52.5 percent of the vote he received in 2000 -- further tightens his grip on power.

His first term saw a crackdown on the independent media, a tight leash put on the often unruly governors, the election of an obedient parliament in December, the weakening of opposition parties and the nation's top posts filled with Putin loyalists and former security officials.

During the campaign, Putin's opposition challengers complained that state-controlled media's lavish coverage of the incumbent gave them little opportunity to get their message to voters. They also charged that regional government officials, apparently eager to curry favor with the Kremlin, hampered their campaign appearances.

In Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States "was concerned about a level of authoritarianism creeping back in the society.''

"We don't hesitate to point out to President Putin that he should use the popularity that he has to broaden the political dialogue and not use his popularity to throttle political dialogue and openness in the society,'' Powell told ABC TV.

That set off an angry rebuke from the Cabinet chief of staff and a calmer retort from Putin, who said the 2000 Florida election fiasco in the United States showed the weaknesses of the world's oldest democracy.

Some "see the splinter in another's eye and ignore the log in his own,'' Putin said. Russia will consider the criticism and "if we think there is something to think about, will draw the corresponding conclusions,'' he said.

Putin promised that during his second, four-year term "all the democratic achievements will be guaranteed.''

He said his government would work to develop the multiparty system, ensure further economic growth and strengthen civil society and media freedom.

"We must create conditions to develop parties of every orientation so that the country's political stage can hear all voices -- from small and big parties,'' he said.

Putin promised to modernize the country, pledging to ensure economic growth in order to improve the welfare of the nation's 144 million people, one-fifth of whom live below the poverty line.

Many voters said they backed Putin not because their lives had significantly improved under him, but because they were familiar with the incumbent and hesitant to bring in someone new and the risk of fresh instability.

Opposition observers and human rights groups alleged violations during the voting, including pre-marked ballots and pressure on students and soldiers.

The Central Election Commission, however, said the campaign passed without any significant breaches of election law.

Despite minimal voter traffic at polling places in cities in Chechnya, election officials claimed turnout in the war-torn region reached nearly 90 percent and that nearly 93 percent voted for Putin, who rose to prominence by launching the latest war there as Russia's prime minister in 1999.

AP-ES-03-15-04 0320EST

[jerseygirl]

On "Rumor Mill News" there are all kinds of strange ideas about what paralyzed the elk.

Yet in a Denver paper on the subject, a vet. wrote in and said that magnesium deficiency does cause paralysis in elk, and that the female and their young have a higher requirement for magnesium. He suggested supplementing their diets.