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.
heh !
Gee thanks! I never would have thought of that on my own. Since I have been around this place for awhile I know there are folks here who know a lot more than I do and would be willing to share.
I'm just glad that we can count on France, Germany, Russia, Spain and Canada to be there for us if there's another devastating attack.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahaha
I've heard rumors there are also some radical Palestinians groups on the KU campus in Lawrence, Kansas ... this from a student that went there ... the groups in Kansas City, Missouri and Columbia, Missouri are shown in the video "Jihad in America - Terrorists Among Us" in 1989 and 1990 meeting in Kansas City, Missouri and Lawrence, Kansas ...
stay sharp ...
Sometimes its cathartic to say something like that.
Sue me.
If government admits that is no longer capable of protecting its citizenry, then the citizens are free to protect themselves.
Middle Easterners Streaming Into Texas:
The HoustonChronicle.com ^ | August 14, 2002 | Edward Hegstrom
Middle Easterners streaming to Texas
By EDWARD HEGSTROM Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle
Texas has one of the nation's fastest-growing Middle Eastern populations, and most of the state's immigrants live in Houston, according to a study based on census data.
Researchers at the Center for Immigration Studies say Texas' Middle Eastern population more than doubled in the last decade, to just over 100,000, including more than 52,000 in Greater Houston.
"...A real suitcase nuke with a nominal yield of .5 to 5 kilotons could be devastating. Hit Wall Street with one of those and it's 'adios' economy..."
In addition to the economy, the residents and office workers of Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan won't be having such a great day. Brooklyn has significant population density. If the wind is blowing towards the west, it would create problems for Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and Bergen County.
~ Blue Jays ~
The terrorists must feel encouraged with so much dissent going on. They probably figure that killing Americans before the election will yield a similar result as in Spain.
Huh ? What in the world is this?
Click here or on the pic to
see al-Qaeda et al at 'work'
WARNING!: Not for the queasy!
(Nevermind! This site's been shut down!)Bullseye! I'm sure they are encouraged by the talk from their supporters fat teddy, Nancy Pelosi, et al .....
Hey Jose, why all dem Middle Easterners coming to Houston, Tx........ By the way keep sending those dollars..... Love that Kali money
But I'm equally sure that these arses will be turned back !!!
[Expletive deleted] !!!
OMG! That's a wonderful graphic, Meek. Really good, LOL!!!
Just a ps, Wolfstar. After posting a bit earlier, here's another link too. http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2974796
Amen.
I strongly urge all of the FReepers to read Vince Flynn's latest novel, "Memorial Day".
After hearing Rush touting the book, I went to Borders and bought it last week.
I't all about a planned nuke attack on Wash. DC and what "real terrorist hunters" do to the terrorists. No panties on the head, just gunshots to the head.
Check it out.
I don't have time to go thru all the posts so if someone has already posted this, sorry, but I think we can rule out July. Why would they want to attack their support base.
Nothing to fear but fear itself.
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