Ashcroft Terrorist News Conference

5.26.04 | Joe Hadenuf

[Joe Hadenuf]

Anyone watching this. I didn't see it posted.

[Brad’s Gramma]

He always has been. He and his female counterpart...the beast.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I agree. I think it is instructive, (if one is fortunately to live near federal employees such as DIA, or CIA, who would have an access to the inner sanctum), to see if they are making any irregular preparations, such as sending family members out of DC/New York City, stockpiling, etc. Listening to local police scanners is also very instructive at this time.

You are right. Human nature kicks in and it is "every man for himself and his immediate family", particularly those with a higher access than the rest of us. They will not tell the rest of us for sure.

[AFPhys]

Perhaps they didn't initiate the "Civilian Defense Corps" because they didn't have anybody bring that up. It is the first I've heard of it, myself. I'll have to look it up. I agree it would be good to provide civilians an outlet.

In this area, the Homeland Security dept has, in the last couple months, been advertising asking for volunteers for EMT-like duties. Those with such training are of immediate value, and others may apply for lower skill positions. The thing is, it definitely takes time to get these types of programs up and running. I think it is being done to some degree, but perhaps what you suggest would be more extensive.

[AFPhys]

I'm not one to go a-hunting, either, but I certainly will keep a look for those whose pictures are being broadcast. I'm really a lousy one for that type of vision, though - they all look alike to me - LOL... - and I'm not just talking about one particular race - person could be blonde & blue-eye, I can mistake 'em all... and have!

I've not heard rumors of indications the terrorists to kill millions, but I've no doubt that that is their desire.

MEG: thanks for keeping our President and our protectors constantly at the forefront of our prayer life.

Darlin': you KNOW they have something more if they are willing to risk air time and ask for help. Personally, I won't be at all surprised to find something in the news as early as this weekend.

Peach: you're right. This does boil down to a question of trust, and in all honesty, even if the 'Toon were president, I would be giving him my trust and prayers and believe even his administration would do their best for our country in this situation.

LJag: I was going to make a pertinent reply to you, but then I looked at your profile page and whatever it was flew out of my head... LOL... Is that your picture on the bottom ... or the one in the middle?
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[Iron Matron]

We have way more sleeper cells in this country already than most of us could ever imagine, at least according to Steven Emerson.

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I could not possibly agree more.

I'm not the paranoid type, but I AM vigilant and suspicious by nature (and upbringing, but that's another story). I'm also smart enough to know an enemy and a war when I see one. I BELIEVE there are those who wish all americans dead, and who will actively try to do just that.

I watched a movie once with sidney portier and river phoenix "little nikkita", it was about russian spys - sleeper cells. Of course, the liberal spin to the movie placed them as totally americanized and patriotic to the USA, ("we're people just like you, who love our kids and seek a good life" type BS). They were portrayed as "unwilling" agents.

Muslimes, are not "unwilling" agents. Those that fall for the idea still being put out by Hollywood that they are "just like us" are simply fooling themselves and placing their families and lives in danger.

[Lady Jag]

Just goes to show I'm not the only one who gets mixed up with faces...as I get older my hind brain must record face-types and everyone looks familiar.

Actually, they're all of me on my home page. Starting from the bottom that's me about to graduate from univeriisty with my chemistry degree.

The middle photo illustrates my experimentation and the top one shows the fortunate results.

However, I hesitate to apply the formulation to further human subjects until the transformation can be made less traumatic.

[AFPhys]

ROTFL ... You must have been a beautiful baby ...

Did your mom take pre-natal vitamins? Or was it just the ruffage?
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[El Gato]

AQ wants to hit America hard and they think they will be ready this summer.

Time for the militia to lock and load boys and girls. In Texas, the militia is basically all able bodied citizens, male and female, save certain public officials. Federal law has it all able bodied males plus female members of the National Guard.

[El Gato]

"powerful symbols of our society" - events that fill most of us with hope & pride ... inspire terrorists.

They are going to attack a NASCAR race? Heaven help them, 'cause the folks at the track sure as hell won't. :)

[El Gato]

Surprise, Surprise. They all look middle eastern to me. Oh! my bad. That would be profiling.

Actually the Pakistani woman could be most anything, depending on hair and makeup, but would be most convincing as of Indian, Burmese, Thai, etc background. The guy with the beard could pass as a Jewish Rabbi, and the darker guys could pass as American blacks, with some changes to hair and clothing. The guy at bottom middle is "everyman" and would not stand out in a crowd, or even walking alone.

Only one guy would have trouble passing as anything besides a middle eastern muslim, although if his english is good enough, he could pass himself off as an American of Lebanese Christian ancestory, like Danny Thomas, or "Max Klinger" (of MASH). A couple of the others could be Latinos of various sorts.

These are very scary individuals.

[El Gato]

One of the caucasians looks like he could pass for a westerner

That's because he is, if you are refering to this guy

[Lady Jag]

ROTFL ... You must have been a beautiful baby ... Did your mom take pre-natal vitamins? Or was it just the ruffage?

I don't know about that but I can tell you my Ma had humungous eggs!

[El Gato]

Are you saying that terrorists haven't crossed the unprotected southern border?

Most of the 9-11 terrorists came in over the even more unprotected Northern border.

[Wolfstar]

The Civil (or Civilian) Defense Corps (not sure of the official title) was used in WWII. I think it was dismantled in the mid-1950's. In WWII, civilians were used as coast watchers, air raid wardens, that sort of thing. I think there might have been a similar program during WWI, but am not sure. In any case, local, state and federal police agencies combined do not have enough personnel to cover all possible targets in this vast country. A modern version of the civilian coast watchers and such could mobilize a lot more eyes and ears.

[El Gato]

Can we shoot them if we find them, or do we have to turn them in? :)

You can make a citizens arrest. They might resist. Several of them are described as armed and dangerous, so we need to be as well.

[El Gato]

I've thought he must be ex-something or other. But maybe not.

He's a former something alright, a former insurance agent, who just happens to be a good storyteller, and is smart enough to talk to the real experts about the technical details, although he still gets them wrong on occasion.

[El Gato]

One thing I do wish the administration had considered early on is to reinstitute the Civil Defense Corps — in part to take at least some burden off local authorities, and in part to help counter media negativity by giving an outlet to civilians who want to participate in the defense of our country.

That's not going to happen. Look at the way they treated the armed airline pilots issue. They had to be dragged kicking and screaming by the Congress to allow any pilots to be armed, and then made it as burdensome on the pilots as possible, so that not very many would go through the program.

[macrahanish #1]

I think some of this info came from Brandon Mayfield. Has anyone seen him since his release? I'd bet he's in protective custody. The dots are getting connected. Madrid, the imam arrested in London today, Fort Lewis, the all points bulletin for the seven muslims, and Bly, Oregon.

[HiJinx]

I'm not familiar with the entry methods of the 9/11 19, but I live here on the US/Mexico border and know full well what's going on down here.

That, and the physical proof I offered, are the reasons for my comment.

I am not qualified to comment on the Northern border and tend not to comment on things of which I am ignorant.

[Miss Marple]

I saw Brandon Mayfield interviewed on Greta's show on Fox. She pointed out the uniqueness of the FBI giving him a public apology.

Things that make you go hmmmmm.