AP: Terrorists Planning Summer Attack

AP via Yahoo News ^ | Curt Anderson

[Dog Gone]

Excellent questions. The only possible reason I can think of for "officially declaring war" is that it could trigger some of the rules of war, including how neutral nations should observe blockades, etc.

None of that applies to an enemy that no country officially endorses and that holds no political or government office.

Under our Constitution the President must seek congressional approval for military action. He did. He got it. Calling it "war" may provide some warm fuzzies for people who think we're not taking it seriously enough, but I don't think anyone in the Bush Administration considers it a laughing matter.

[SheLion]

We probably will get hit again.

Shawn Hannity just said that he believes that 9-11 was just a preview of what's to come. :(

[1066AD]

Doesn't a declaration of war require a country to be named ? No.

OK, so a simple declaration that we're at war is enough ?

[alnick]

That makes perfect sense. I hate it, but it makes sense.

[max_rpf]

In keeping with the Dr. Evil like mentality of UBL... 6/11?

[oceanview]

look, you can attack me if you want. I actually agree with you on the border security thing in general (regarding immigration).

but my only point is - it won't solve the problem we are talking about here, that's all I am saying.

[Ciexyz]

Are the schools prepared to protect the children in case of a chemical attack? The media has made fun on the disaster drills that the schools conducted in the late 50's and early 60's, when kids knelt under their desks with their hands over their heads. (I remember those drills.)

This is something the schools should consider. Having gas masks available in each room if needed. Don't laugh -- it could become a sad reality for us. Look at Israel, their Jewish homes are equipped with gas masks.

[SheLion]

FNC just announced that further testing confirmed that it was indeed sarin in that roadside bomb in Iraq.

I heard that as well.

[Amerigomag]

but the attack will not come from thousands of terrorists, it will come from a small team. 5 teams of 4 men with nerve gas in NY, DC, Dallas, LA

No terrorist will attack LA or any population center in California. An attack on LA, San Francisco or Sacramento would simply not create terror.

Can you imagine the terror that wouldn't result from the following headline:
"LA Attacked: Thousands of Hollywood Liberals and Illegal Aliens Killed"

[bondjamesbond]

Bring it on, Freaks...

[steneca]

very scary....

[Clint Williams]

If we are Hit again, we can Only Hope that our "Leaders" will spend some time "Sympathizing with" the "Muslim Community", for the "Accidental Annihilation of "Mecca & Medina" due to "Thermonuclear Accidents;"--No Doubt the "Fault of" "Islamic Radicals."

Personally, Doc, if we are hit again with such, I will only hope that our anti-Americans will truly come forward with such. Then we can figure the best course of action...

[MEG33]

Long thread here on terror attack alert.

[CWOJackson]

To many variables; too many possible agents and too many means of attack (inhalation, skin contact, etc).

The means of protection is a full bio/chem suit like out troops used in Iraq; large, heavy, expensive, smelly and very uncomfortable.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Note to everyone in LA: although they claim otherwise, the LAPD have their heads up their butts with regard to anti-terrorism.

[SheLion]

BTW Later in the news cast I heard someone else say we may see the alert level go up tomorrow morning I think.

eXe, I don't see how they CAN'T raise the terror alert, now that this is all over the news. Surely, it will go up!

[Joe Hadenuf]

No terrorist will attack LA or any population center in California

I tend to agree. They could easily take a small town of 5 or 10 thousands, and literally hold the town hostage or just kill most everyone in the town. The could take an entire large mall hostage with little effort and hold it tight with just 50 or 100 terrorist. What do the big malls hold now at peak shopping periods? 10,000 people? More? Unfortunately, it would be easy.

[BenLurkin]

Ok. Thanks!

[ride the whirlwind]

The FBI also has already created a special task force that is focused solely on dealing with this summer's threat. The task force, whose existence until recently was classified, is intended to ensure that no valuable bits of information or intelligence fall through the cracks — as happened repeatedly before the Sept. 11 attacks.

Separately, Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Michael Garcia told reporters Tuesday that some 2,300 of its agents are being deployed to assist in security for the high-profile events scheduled this summer in the United States. These include as many as 20 agents each day working with the Secret Service to protect the campaigns of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate.

I think these two paragraphs are quite interesting. Preemption - it's a good thing.