Posted on 07/15/2004 10:28:27 PM PDT by churchillbuff
Washington - Warnings that terrorists are plotting "something big" against the United States are based on "very, very solid" information, the CIA's acting director said on Wednesday, likening the threat reports to those that preceded the September 11, 2001 attacks.
John McLaughlin, the acting CIA director, noted in an interview with National Public Radio that the US had ample warning of an attack before the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington but no specifics on the timing and targets.
"But we did have conviction that something big was coming at us. We have that same conviction now," he said.
"And the reason I say that it is serious is that I think the information I've seen is very, very solid. We have very little doubt about the information we have in terms of its sourcing and its authenticity," he said.
McLaughlin would not comment on the specificity of the intelligence this time, but said the agency has developed much more intelligence on al-Qaeda and its intentions since September 11.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned last week that "credible reports" indicate al-Qaeda plans to carry out a large scale attack in the US to disrupt the elections.
Ridge said precise knowledge of the time, place and method of attack was lacking, but security is being stepped up at the sites of the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions this summer.
The Democratic Party's national convention is to be held in Boston July 26-29, while President George Bush's Republican Party is to hold its convention in New York August 30-September 2, ahead of the November 2 US presidential election.
Asked whether Americans should cancel vacation plans or stay away from Boston and New York during the conventions, McLaughlin said people should go about their business.
"But citizens themselves need to keep their eyes open and be alert," he said
I digressed. I couldn't help but notice the classical allusion.
Yes, the terrorturds have to go the way of Carthage. We need a modern day Cato.
You know - it could be that we ARE in different times now. This will be the norm so we will have to get used to it.
Many of us lived through the cold war nuclear threat and have plenty of practice in living under a threat. I suggest the younger ones just suck it up and get with the program.
We will be getting these reports whether they come true or not for 2 reasons. We have the right to be made aware that something is out of the ordinary even though they don't know what it is.
And, the second, if they don't tell us what they are hearing - they will be impeached as not advising the public.
Now - any can complain because they are tired or it - complain because it is merely scare tactics - complain that it is political - but we will get the warnings because our government employees are not going to be the next sacrificial scapegoat when a democrat chooses to spend taxpayer money trying to get something on the Bush administration.
Yes, we have to be ready for everything. God only knows specifically what the heck the bad guys have got cooking.
- Ceteris Paribus -
Why? Where is Michael Moore at this time, where is he going, or what pleasurable past time could he be involved with at this time? ; )
Yeah - just like invading a rattlesnake nest and getting the biggest snake. Sometimes the other snakes take a bite too. So guess we should just leave them be and let them come and get us at night while we sleep.
Haven't you been paying attention? The Dems have left us no alternative. Reliable people have said "something" is going to happen. If they (the feds) KNEW what and where, then they would just deal with it.
Apparently, they DON'T know. But there will be MAJOR hell to pay if something happens, Bush KNEW "something" was going to happen, and they said nothing...just like right before 9-11.
What other choice do they have? It is imperative that Bush and Co. have as much credibility on this as they can get. If an attack occurs on Aug 1, and Bush knew something was going to happen and said nothing, then the election is LOST. No one would trust him.
I think you need to go change your underwear, Mac. Taken over by Islam? Please.
Well, then, sir...raise the level.
Could you elaborate? Have you seen terrorist websites or something?
Looks like they got ahold of one of them, named Khan. At least he's listed as "located."
I already told you weeks ago how we are safer. Allow me repeat a few of the reasons:
- The presense of US military in Saudi Arabia so angered bin Laden that in 1996 he declared war on us because of it. The military has been removed from that area.
- Iran agreed to inspections of its nuclear facilities.
- India and Pakistan almost came to a nuclear war. They are now talking.
- The Pakistani scientist, A.Q. Kahn, was exposed for selling nuclear secrets.
- Libya has given up its WMD programs.
All these occurred shortly after Saddam Hussein was captured.
Thanks. You checking the FBI website?
I'm with you, Nutcracker. You are absolutely right. To reveal the specificities puts our information sources at high risk. While there may be, say, 3 specific data bits -- there may be more that comes in from other contacts and locations which may indicate, combined with first data, the scope, if not "how many are involved". Furthermore, it is important to not reveal this data as it will implicate organizations, businesses, who heretofore have not been "noticed". Sure, it can be nervewracking for "we the people"; however, I wager it is far more nervewracking for those working the intel data -- wanting so badly to get at the data, to prevent another assault. People specifically need to STAY on about their business; otherwise, how would they notice what is "amiss" or "out of the ordinary
Both very astute observations and I agree it total with both. The hair pulling must be enormous in the intelligence community.
Gerald Flury predicted this years ago. Apparently he was right.
Here's a question. Because of what has been changed since 9/11, it is thought that 9/11 could not happen now, the same scale, etc......in fact we knew the exact people who did 9/11 hours after it was done...the way we are now tracking such people 9/11 per se couldn't happen...so what could happen that is so big? That our radically enhanced tracking wouldn't be able to zero in on better? How can there BE some big, huge thing going absolutely unthwarted? We've had so many such warnings about July 4, and anniversary of 9/11, etc. etc. and none of it has ever happened......so how, now, with the FBI and CIA looking at every human in America every day, could something all that large scale on our territory happen? I figure some American embassy somewhere or something remote will be hit big perhaps, but how could they hide all this stuff and give us all this chatter and warning and us not be able to do anything about it or even know the location or timing of it? I can only imagine that they are covering ahead of time just in CASE it slips through so they can say SEE we told you we were TRACKING IT......but the likelihood is not great, unless I'm missing something here. Anybody care to educate me?
guys, church is a troll - don't waste your energy
Worth reading, I'd take the thread story seriously.
--Boot Hill
It would be tough to get in there but the media would sure be a lure for a terrorist trying to maximize the news coverage of our losses. But then, for coverage the Athens games are also a good lure.
Al Qaeda always seemed to prefer to strike what it had failed to get before, though.
Most of me hopes that
IF
we are nuked
that at least we destroy major installations in Iran as well as Syria.
Perhaps it is time for Damascus to meet it's Biblically predicted demise.
But the way is fraught with hazards regardless.
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