Bin Laden directing latest threat

CNN ^ | 07.10.04

[Dr. Marten]

Officials: Bin Laden guiding plots against U.S.

Ridge: Terrorists' aim is to influence presidential vote

Friday, July 9, 2004 Posted: 0225 GMT (1025 HKT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A plot to carry out a large-scale terror attack against the United States in the near future is being directed by Osama bin Laden and other top al Qaeda members, senior

intelligence officials said Thursday.

 

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge

[ASA Vet]

CNN: WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A plot to carry out a large-scale terror attack against the
United States in the near future is being directed by Osama bin Laden
and other top al Qaeda members, senior

intelligence officials said Thursday.

Is this the quote they based it on?

"This type of plotting, this type of operational activity, is being done with the direct
direction and authorization of that senior leadership,"
said one official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

That so called direct quote didn't specify any name. Senior leadership is the top living dog.

Any CNN reported quote from an official who speaks on condition of anonymity is suspect and most likely made.

Here's one for CNN.

[ASA Vet]

and most likely made up.

[Starve The Beast]

I honestly believe that bin Laden is as dead as Elvis.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Bin Laden can kiss my royal Irish ass!

[ASA Vet]

Over 2 1/2 years.

[POA2]

I for a long time have thought UBL is dead as well -

But I must admit, lately my brain has been overriding my gut feeling (that he is dead)...and I'm starting to believe that perhaps he is alive -

When you look at the situation...that Al Zawahiri is most surly alive (from all accounts)...yet he hasn't put out a video either...in 2 1/2 years)....Either has Omar -

Then you look at where Al Zawahiri seems to be ekking out a living at - the Pakistan side of the border region - An area where US troops have not gone into - Expect for "hot pursuits".....and also (I'd assume) some small sniper/recon teams -

But the chances of UBL/Zawahiri walking by one of our sniper teams is extremely remote - especially when you look at the region they are most likely in -

We are talking extreme, rugged mountain type conditions. At very high elevations....places where troops can't easily get in....or out....or stay very long -

I really believe for us to get Al Zawahiri (and find out about UBL)....we are going to have to say to hell with the Pakistan border...and send in a thousand or so Special operations type forces for 90 days or more.....this along with having Pakistan troops cutting off any escape routes.

[jocon307]

"Bin Laden can kiss my royal Irish ass!"

Amen!

[dubyaweluvya]

Tom Ridge isn't the only one warning us. If you read translations of Islamic radical chat lines, they are being warned to prepare for war here. Specifically, the warning says, "prepare for at least one month's food and water." I'm listening to all sources of information regarding what could come our way. I have gallons of water for every family member and more for the pets. We are adding to our pantry with canned foods and emergency supplies like flashlights and candles. Just in case.

[Mike Bates]

[geopyg]

"prepare for at least one month's food and water."

Not sure if I have a month's worth of water (although I do have a hand-pump filter good for 200+ gallons). Reminds me to refill the water jugs (at least 35 gallons) with fresh water. Batteries, food and candles and lamp-oil I'm good for.

My wife wife thinks I'm a bit weird, but is thankful I'm watching out for the family. Of course if it's not the terrorists it's the earthquake, windstorm, or ice-storm that might upset life for awhile. (I surely enjoy power-outages and the excuse to smell up the house with lamp oil!).

[Terp]

If you read translations of Islamic radical chat lines

Were can you find this information? I curious!

[Starve The Beast]

You make some good arguments, particularly about Al Zawahiri not making any video tapes either. But bin Laden was a real camera-hog before 9/11, and as Christopher Hitchens put it, it's hard to believe that a guy who loved the camera so much would just stop.

It's been suggested that he's alive but not well. If his skin were so pallid or jaundiced, he might not want to look ill in front of his troops. Maybe.

But we do know that he had health problems, the kind that are pretty difficult to treat in a cave. Consider this: Whenever he dies, his people will bury him with super-secrecy, so that everybody still thinks he's alive, or a mysterious figurehead, or whatever. Since we certainly won't know about it, there's no way of knowing whether it's happened yet or not.

On you last point - storming that area with our best boys - we could not agree more.

[POA2]

I also agree....that one would think UBL would have put out a least one definite video proving he is alive (just for his followers to see) - however, Al Zawahiri hasn't done this.....and he is alive - so is Omar -

Perhaps we are trying to put an "American type attitude" on to them or onto their "would be" behavior (if he was alive) - The fact is...if he is alive....he is probably so overly concerned about him "staying" alive....that he doesn't want to give one clue about his whereabouts - therefore no videos -

I would also just reiterate....that when you look at the type of rugged conditions (brutal conditions) on the Pakistan side of the border - we will play hell locating anyone in that region - without great "on the ground" Intel before going in -

The fact is.....Pakistan needs to have 30,000 troops (or more) up in that region...flushing them out - at the same time we need to blanket that area with "teams" of shooters (SOF) and hope we catch them running -

Zawahiri is alive....(surly) and that scum bag needs to be put in the ground....it grows frustrating more each week he lives.......(and only more so if UBL is out there as well).

I know what you are saying about if he dies.....they will bury him and we will never know - but I don't think secrets keep that well...if they were the case...it would leak out IMO -

However, my only other guy feeling...is we got him back in Nov of 2001....and we know it....but for security type reasons....we haven't released that info - (perhaps the President doesn't even know....only a select few in the CIA and Military) - but that might be a little far reaching ....