Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Eleven

WND ^ | 6/24/04 | N/A

[JustPiper]

Picture credit: TheCabal

"I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat"

LINK TO THREAD TEN

Iran seeks swap of Brits for suicide attackers

Report says 40 Revolutionary Guard 'volunteers' held by UK

Iran apprehended British military personnel and Navy vessels earlier this week in order to secure release of 40 "suicide operations volunteers" held by the UK, according to an Iranian Revolutionary Guard source.

The source told the London Arabic-language daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that the British Army command in Iraq received the demand from the Revolutionary Guard, reported the Middle East Media Research Institute.

According to the source, the content of the message was very simple: "Release our comrades, whom you are holding, and we will release your soldiers."

To Read this entire article

We are the "Stotters" who make ourselves aware of the enemy who wishes to do us harm

[Myrddin]

The probability of an attempt (1.00 - 0.05) = 95%.
Probability that DHS will fail a 100% interdiction (1.00 - 0.25) = 75%

Probability that they will attempt AND DHS will fail is the combination (0.95 * 0.75) = 71.25%.

The is using a micrometer to measure a t*rd. :-)
Back to work here.

[ExSoldier]

My gold broker says that gold could hit $800-$850 and gold is currently at what? Just a shade over $400? We might have a ways to go.

[milkncookies]

There is no Texas number, it forwards from Saudi to his phone....allegedly. : >)

[Honestly]

It sounds like our guys rule and makes me very proud to be an American.

[ExSoldier]

Whups. Sorry. I'm a social studies teacher. Not a math teacher. I was constantly telling this to my daughter when she was in grade school (She's getting married in two weeks ~sigh~) and I would say: "Go talk to your grandfather, HE'S the nuclear physicist!"

[milkncookies]

Now if your broker could only give you a time frame.

[WestCoastGal]

Well said, as you saw I was ticked off after reading that as well.

I won't go into it again since I think I've exceeded my freeping bandwidth today. ;-)

[mfccinsd]

I started with this one because it was in the Cuba and Terrorism section and had to do with bacterial developments/weapons, etc. I didn't find a specific date, though, and as I read it, it was obviously relatively dated (in the scheme of things we tend to read) but the facts in it are sobering, if it is as this person claims.

Castro and Bacterialogical Development. Fact or Fiction? http://www.amigospais-guaracabuya.org/oagmc001.php

Since the beginning of the decade of the 80's, Castro and his forces in certain fields, have been investigating bacterial, biological and chemicals, establishing the centers of Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Tropical Medicine of Immunology, Something of Lab Animals, the Biocen, the Finlay Institute, the Academy of Sciences, the Oceanagraphic Insitute, the Center for Biologic Prepaprations, and the Center of Neurosciences, like a small "facotry" or Center of "Thinking." These centers have been found to be scattered about Havana, with the concentration of them in Orange Stream, Bejucal, Playa (beach), old Miaram and East Havana.

Numerous engineers and Cuban scicentists have receieved education and training in the former Soviet Union, East Germany, Romania, China, North Korea, Vietnam, as well as Iran and Iraq. Since 1992 there has been an intense (close) cooperation with Vietnam, Russia and China.

Since 1991, Castro has invested approximately $1,600 million in equipment, instruments, and materials for these Centers, with minimal commercial application, since they have only commercialized certain productions, like vaccines for meningitas, hepatitis, and other products, with a commerical value of only $40 million, produced only sporadically, with sales to Chile, Brazil and Argentina. Products are of poor quality which is why sales to them are not repeated. This is not paralled with the quality of equipmented that Cuban engineers and scientists that work in this field. (I was trying to translate literally but get the meaning, but this part was strange...I think what the author is trying to say is that the quality of the work and what is produced is poor, but that it's not because a lack of training or money invested...but that it's not really going towards what Castro is trying to make it look like it is going to.)

The biotechnology, biologic, chemical efforts pertaining to the development of biochemical weapons is being directed by Cuban engineers and scienticists and stops members of Minfar and Minit (I have no clue what those groups or are so hopefully that makes sense to someone else). All those these departments work in forming a community, it's said that it's like a group development the investigation of certain types, that it is not neccessariliy a final product of bacteriologic, but there are other products developed by other departments.

One example is the development of a toxin paralyzing the nervous system, developed by marine investigations, which were conducted without [them] knowing the final use, with scientific help from Japan. This product, we are informed, is already done, ready to be used. Another example is when, in conjuction with the Cuban Institute of Oceanography and the Academy of Scicnes, they discovered (realized) an experiment that consisted of sending messages in bottles from the Cuban coasts. They would return a message when they got the bottle, communicating with the Academy of Sciences, because it was a scientific marine study. From this, after more than two years of study, it was determined that place on the Cuban coast most feasible to send floating objects that would arrive at the coasts of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas more quickly and in the greatest quantities.

We should not forget that in a bacterologic or chemical war, that is through rockets nor through sophisticated methods. Bottles, containers, boxes, etc. could all carry sufficient deadly substances to cause injury or the death of millions of people in a determined area. Bacterial or chemical products, toxins, etc. that have been transported in briefcases would be able to cause death, for example, to 50,000 people or more.

Cuba works, also, in the technological knowledge like "binary," where two chemicals, not toxins when alone, form an agent or toxic substances when mixing together. Nearly all use agricultural chemicals and that are mre difficult to identify as agents that can be used for these things. This is part of the certain lethal class known as Novichok. We should not forget that the Russians have been the mentors of the Cubans in this field for many years and have continued being so.

Cuba has acquired in Milan, Iltay, various centifuges of 10,000 RPM, with high enough capacity, alone, to be able to be used with lethal chemicals. Cuba, apparently, has also developed the A-232, made of chemicals, both agricultural and industrial, that are not deadly until mixed. Similar to this, like the A-234, there are some toxins like XV, that are more difficult to detect, that are easier to fabricate (reproduce?).

The britanica magazine of defense (?that makes no sense to me), Janes reported in April 1997, that Russais had a new variation of the toxin Anthrax, totally resistent to antibiotics. At the same time informed that the Russian military had developed three new substances against nerves (I think meaning that cause nerve damage or nerve agents).

Included, exisiting infirmaties that had disappeared are being reintroduced, like Viruela (Small Pox), where they are culures of them, diseminating them in various countries, are able to cause disasterous effects, especially in children. Actually there are 7 million vaccines against this disease in the US. That is because Small Pox doesn't exist they don't keep making it. Combinations of the cultures of illnesses are of increasing danger, and are the substances that Cuba is able to develop.

Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, has declared that Iraq possess sufficient Anthrax to "kill all the men, women and children in the world." Castro and Saddam Hussein have maintained friendly relations and numerous Cuban scientists and doctors have visited Iraq. Also we must remember that in this year Florida has suffered ____ considerably in their harvests. The citric cancer is Xanthomonas citrii. (Perhaps that's meaning they were doing something to the orange harvests that particular year?) These bacterias are well known, and can be developed in labs, with a rapid propegation in this country. Naturally, or Castro? (meaning is it Nature or because of Castro?)

This aspect of biologic/chemical development can present a potentially serious thread against the security of the US, and even against the Cuban people as well. Member countries of the treaty against these types of weapons/arms, cannot request an inspection of other member countries, without needs of tests, to the UN, who must comply with the mandate. (meaning that UN member countries can't request inspections of another member country without tests showing why they need inspections, but if it is done, the UN must comply) This is already the hour (time) that Cuba should be inspected.

[MamaDearest]

Unfortunately we have put ourselves in a position of not being able to cut the umbilical cord to the Saudi's.

Back a few years ago we were able to purchase station wagons and small cars that got 35-40 mpg consistently. Anyone remember the Honda MPG that was advertised specifically for HIGH GASOLINE MILEAGE? Now they cater to Expeditions, Suburbans and Hummers. All those SUVs out there (I know I am offending some of you and some of you actually NEED them for various purposes) get hideous mileage and yet they are the most popular things on the road. No one can criticize our government for its ties to the Saudis when those who purchase gas-guzzlers are themselves sucking at the Saudi nipple (whew - sorry, but that's what it is folks!)

I am not an eco-nut, but I am concerned about the economic implications should our oil supply be cut off or drastically reduced. Are you ready if Uncle Sam does cut off oil from the Saudis? If you think gas prices were bad recently, wait'll that happens! By the way, recent reports show the hybrids to get about half of the EPA mileage on the sticker. Not only that, but they charge additional dealer markup because they are in demand. Nothing like taking advantage of the American consumer now is there?

[ExSoldier]

Great. Just Great. I live in South Florida. ~sigh~

[tmp02]

I heard that target before too(800-850). It is based on historical data saying that we are way past due to 600-800. But there are many arguments that could change that target of 800. It may be possible that if there is any major attack, the government could take all US gold from its citizens no matter what the worth and then make gold illegal. Anyway, without too much discussion, i think that it will continue to go up since there is a lot of uncertainty in the market...the safe place to be is gold. Even if there was no threat, gold still looks like a good place. There are some, me included, that says that the market is still looking at further problems in the future and will possible go below the October low - there are still a lot of excesses in the market even when Greenspan dumped money into the market for Y2K. Anyway, this who thing is going to be interesting...

[WestCoastGal]

I do remember those cars!! Where are they now?

I am not ready if they cut off our oil. I drive a Suburban and I cannot afford a new car, soooooooo.... I'm stuck.

Yes, gas prices are killing me. I try to limit my driving and do all errands to and from work etc. No fun trips for the WCG. ;-(

[Myrddin]

The probability theory shoved down your throat in a genetics class is fairly exacting. Ditto for the statistical analysis techniques. It turned out to be useful later on in life when I was asked to perform quality analysis of voice recognition engines and CDMA data networks.

You must be exceptionally busy with a wedding pending in 2 weeks. I have 3 sons, so prospects of a wedding are less stressful.

[ExSoldier]

My gold is in numismatic coins. $10 Liberties mostly. About 6 grand worth (initial investment). My broker says that the value has, in the last two years, roughly doubled.

Have you ever heard of a supposed gold to oil correlation? That gold should maintain price parity with oil, so that if the balance were currently equal, gold should be at about $550 right NOW.

[Cindy]

Smiling....

No.

[ExSoldier]

"You must be exceptionally busy with a wedding pending in 2 weeks. "

Well, the kid has a wedding planner and my wife is involved too so they're busy. Me? I'm the typical daddy and now I guess, new Father-in-Law. I just stand around looking helpless. It seems to work. I'm just waiting to get both kids back out to the range to brush up her skills and try and bring him up to a par with her so I can give them their new .357 magnum Ruger SP101. Well, it's technically been hers since she was about 17. She used to love to go shooting, but it's been years since she has actually put rounds downrange. But, we live in uncertain times and a fallen world. She knows that and wants the gun.

[Cindy]

If this person wants to have adult contact; then he/she/it will supply a valid phone number and an address would be nice and we'll be glad to send all the info to the authorities.

Still smiling....

[mfccinsd]

The next one:

http://www.amigospais-guaracabuya.org/oagmc039.php

Bacteriologic Terrorism by Manuel Cereijo

What is biologic terrorism? Biologic terrorism, or bioterrorism involves the use of biologic agents on the part of those perpetrators to further or obtain their political objectives. The biological agents are pathogens or toxins. The pathogens are microorganisms that cause illnesses or diseases. The most common are bacillus anthracis, that causes Anthrax, the Yersinia pestis that cause the Plague, and the virus Small Pox.

The toxins, contrary to pathogenic agents, who are living microorganisms, they are poisonous chemicals derived from living organisms. The most well known of these is botulina (botchulism?), a bacterium, from which is derived Ricin, which is extracted from a vegetable seed.

A group or terrorist nation/country that has decided to use biological weapons does so motivated by two reasons. First, the chemical agents can be used for special objectives. For example, if you want to be able to incapacitate a large number of people without the possibility of death. Or if you want to cause economic damage, like destroying agriculture or harvests (citric ? cancer, for example) or the fauna. Above all, they are able to think of the damage that can be caused naturally, eliminating suspicion.

The second serious reason is if you want to cause death and sickness in great numbers. This method is more dangerous and more concerning. The biological weapons are relatively more deadly than thermonuclear weapons. For example, 100 kilos of Anthrax dispersed in Washington would be able to cause 3 million deaths. In contrast, a nuclear megaton would be able to cause approximately 1.5 million deaths.

Sure, a biologic agent, is only able to be used as a weapon if it is disseminated appropriately. That is to say, the objective is to infest a greater number of people at one time. The grater threat is the biologic agent that is able to be introduced/dispersed in an aerosol 'cloud' or form. "This form of dissemination, not only able to infect an extensive area, but it has been verified that many disease are deadly when contracted this way."

Luckily, aerosol dissemination, fortunately, has less effectiveness with the elimination of the danger of virulence or many pathogenic agents scattered like this. Without borders This is not the case of Anthrax or Small Pox. Other important factors relate to biological pathogens whose effects are not able to seen for two or three days, making it more difficult to find an appropriate treatment, especially without the identification of from where or when it came (was contracted).

Various countries recognized as countries that are members of terrorist nations are also suspects in having biological weapons. Among those are: Cuban, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Syria and Sudan. Unfortunately, little of the activities of these countries in this "camp" are known, except for Iraq, which we should be able to know from UNSCOM efforts.

Whichever countries are in the pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology, even only to a middle extent, are many times also able to produce or develop biological weapons. That is to say, if you have the technology to create/produce vaccines, medicines, drugs, pharmaceuticals, or centers of genetic engineering, they also possess the technology to fabricate/produce biological weapons or are able to use biological weapons. Cuba possesses these industries and research centers of in both numbers and qualities, to be able to produce these agents.

The dissemination of these arms in a terrorist attack is relatively simple. The effectiveness depends mostly on the method and atmospheric conditions. Completely disguising the development of biological weapons, camouflaged as a biotechologic industry or pharmaceutical industry would be very easy.

One has advanced over the last years in the prevention and responses to a bioterrorist attack. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to do. Indicators of this sort of attack do not usually exist in advance. We need to be sure that the federal, state, and local authorities improve their systems of prevention and detection of illnesses/deseases, and with the identification and monitoring of the countries most likely to be part of these types of activities.

[mfccinsd]

I'll translate more if people want more translated from this Cuba stuff (or the site it came from that Honestly's article posted) if you guys want...but if it doesn't seem pertinent I won't spend the time on it...so let me know thumbs up or down!

[ExSoldier]

I drive a kia minivan that gets about the same mileage as your Suburban. I DO iwsh I had a 4x4 Suburban and I wish they'd bring back the diesel Suburban in 4x4. My wife is planning on getting the new extended Saturn VUE as a hybrid when it comes out next year or the year after. The minivan is dogmobile #1 with the first Newfoundland dog almost three years old and waiting for another newfie to get born by our breeder. Two such pups requires a big vehicle. But if I didn't need such a vehicle this is what I'd have:

COMMUTER CARS

But THIS is the ultimate "ROAD WARRIOR" vehicle:

SPORTSMOBILE I actually toured their factory in Austin, Texas. They offer diesel models and are 100% custom made to your specs! Look around the site some. Off road they could be on a par with Hummer, I kid you not. And you can get RV insurance which is less....AND a 15 year loan as a second home. Really!