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.
Well, on second thought, Hollyweird might be the safest place to live right now. Think about it: with all the hate and Bush Bashing coming from our 'entertainers (?)' .
I am not sure if they realize that they are aiding and abetting our enemy. Or maybe they do. Who knows. I just know I am sick to death of them. (The Hollyweirds).
Let me guess. One week before July 4 the threat level will increase. On Sept 20, it will go down. On Nov 1, it will go up. On Jan 20, it will go down. And so on.....
Funny, how you have to point this out to someone that used the word, "Conservative" in their moniker!
LOL!
Well, we all have to remain vigilante, regardless. What makes me suspicious is this: either the authorities do not want to create "mass panic," or else the media is running away with this to make news. I'm always suspicious.
I think they have already been unleashed. Just looking at the headlines here at FR today, spanky the clown child pedophile, Boston box cutter crowd attacker, SF Police Porno Flick the headlines here today are freaky.
Yes, Howling would stand their and tell you that. Straight faced. LOL!
I've never seen such of group of hypocrites in all my life. If the idiot Clinton would have pulled some of this sheet these people would literally meltdown.
Seems that they almost have to continue warnings for liability reasons.
Something goes wrong and everyone is caught up in "Why did you not warn us hearings"
Damned if they do, damned if they don't.
Exactly. It's either the authorites do not want to create mass panic, or else the media is running away with this because it's "news." Who knows.
I can't wait for the news conference. I'm glad Ashcroft is giving one!!!
""I believe you compared it to being in a "prison". ""
I did. Where? Where did I compare border control to "prison." You have the word -prison- in quotations so I assume you think I made the connotation.
You and Joe are two peas in pod, he does the same thing, that is, you all set up remarks, meanings, inferences, quotations, etc...that were never made and then you go on to make you brilliant pointy-headed rebuttles.
Border control is a nice theory, filled with beautiful flowers and rainbows to make us all feel good about it's security potential. It will always remain a feel-good theory.
Oh, and btw, your math is somewhat derelict and I quote:
"Joe Hadenuf is 1000%"
A person can only be 100% right. Maybe you and Joe can get our borders 1000% protected though.
Thank you for that.
The big difference between myself and them is I don't worship politicians of either party, and I'll speak the truth.
Some of these folks are so blinded by their political parties, and their favorite candidates, there opinions are moot, biased, and in all reality, don't matter. They have a major conflict of interest if you will.
He's been down there since 1993---he's my "baby".
The indy 500. Although it is now a minor-league event, there will still be 400K people there. I went to the race once in the 80's and it was actually scary how many people were there. Also a lot of politicians and VIPs tend to show up.
I mentioned this possibility a couple of years ago and people just laughed. It makes a lot of sense as a target tho, because of the chaotic atmosphere, noise and everything would serve as cover.
Yes yes, but there is nothing we can do. We are helpless to protect ourselves. The borders are to big. If we try to secure our borders it will make someone mad. How can we be free if we secure our borders? We are all immigrants so we cannot implement real immigration reform. It's impossible to do so lets just forget it.
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.
Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!
Shuk had a South Florida dirty bomb connection.
Aafia is anthrax.
Ross Getman's anthrax site has lots on Aafia. I thought she was arrested in Pakistan.
One week of mall holocaust and they will be screaming for Islamic heads on a platter.
BUMP
My "baby" is living in Denver. I just hate the miles between us. :(
And I know how you feel...........
My daughter is in the air now,flying home from Denver,for a long holiday weekend.She lands about 2:30.
I hated seeing her move out there,but I loved visiting Denver last fall. A new place for me, and I loved it.
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