Posted on 05/25/2004 4:52:15 PM PDT by Wolfstar
17 minutes ago (at time of posting) The intelligence does not include a time, place or method of attack but is among the most disturbing received by the government since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to a senior federal counterterrorism official who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday.
Of most concern, the official said, is that terrorists may possess and use a chemical, biological or radiological weapon that could cause much more damage and casualties than a conventional bomb.
"There is clearly a steady drumbeat of information that they are going to attack and hit us hard," said the official, who described the intelligence as highly credible.
The official declined to provide any specifics about the sources of the information but said there was an unusually high level of corroboration.
Despite that, the official said there was no immediate plan to raise the nation's terrorism threat level from yellow, or elevated, to orange, or high. The threat level has been at yellow — midpoint on the five-color scale — since January.
Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller plan a news conference Wednesday to outline an intensive effort by law enforcement, intelligence and homeland security officials to detect and disrupt any potential plots. And the FBI plans to dispatch a bulletin to some 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies warning of the threat.
Beginning with Saturday's dedication of the new World War II Memorial in Washington, the summer presents a number of high-profile targets in the United States. They include the G-8 summit in Georgia next month that will attract top officials from some of America's closest allies, the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July and the Republican National Convention in August in New York.
The FBI and Homeland Security Department also are concerned about so-called soft targets such as shopping malls anywhere in the United States that offer a far less protected environment than a political convention hall.
U.S. authorities repeatedly have said al-Qaida is determined to mount an attack on U.S. soil, in part to announce to the world that it remains capable of doing so despite the money and effort that has gone into homeland security in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.
There also is concern terrorists might try to mount an attack to coincide with the November election. The political fallout from the March 11 train bombings in Spain taught al-Qaida that an attack timed to an election can have a major impact. Spain's former ruling party was ousted in the voting that followed the bombing, which killed 191 and injured more than 2,000.
The official did not say how many suspected al-Qaida or other terrorist operatives are believed in the country, whether they made their way into the United States recently or have been here for some time. The FBI has warned in the past that Islamic extremist groups may attempt to recruit non-Middle Easterners or women for attacks because they would be less likely to arouse suspicion.
Special security attention already is being focused to the nation's rail, subway and bus lines. The FBI last week sent out an intelligence bulletin to law enforcement agencies urging vigilance against suicide bombers, who have been used by terror groups worldwide to devastating effect but not so far in the United States.
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 (news - web sites) and Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), the Democratic presidential candidate.
Garcia said his agency also is working to "tighten the investigative system" to ensure that terrorists do not enter the United States by way of human smuggling operations or through the vast, largely unprotected border with Canada.
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.
Shawn Hannity just said that he believes that 9-11 was just a preview of what's to come. :(
OK, so a simple declaration that we're at war is enough ?
That makes perfect sense. I hate it, but it makes sense.
In keeping with the Dr. Evil like mentality of UBL... 6/11?
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.
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.
I heard that as well.
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"
Bring it on, Freaks...
very scary....
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...
Long thread here on terror attack alert.
The means of protection is a full bio/chem suit like out troops used in Iraq; large, heavy, expensive, smelly and very uncomfortable.
Note to everyone in LA: although they claim otherwise, the LAPD have their heads up their butts with regard to anti-terrorism.
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!
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.
Ok. Thanks!
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.
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