Ominous drop in 'chatter' by terrorists

The Straits Times ^ | August 8, 2004 | Unsigned

[Smokin' Joe]

The really sad part is that over the past decade or so, Americans who express an interest in owning firearms, storing enough supplies and or equipment to get through a crisis, and gaining the skills necessary to utilize those supplies and equipment to help defend and maintain their communities have been branded as crackpots at best, and 'domestic' terrorists at worst.

These aren't roaring young lions, but old folks, some with military service backgrounds, many without, whether they were 4F or reached draft age after Vietnam. These people are aware of the stakes, and also recognise that those who would brand them anti-American are generally the threat to America.

Winning hearts and minds is not important to our enemies, but poisoning them sure is.

[Dianna]

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[DoctorZIn]

This article has been posted to DoctorZin’s New News Blog!

[Kozak]

'They have nothing to stop a small craft with RPG (rocket-propelled grenades) etc, except their Seals' stinger missiles,' said an entry in the document.

Except for fighter's, helicopters, rapid fire 5 inch guns and 50 cal machineguns. This is a CARRIER BATTLE GROUP they are talking about. If it floats, swims or fly's it's DEAD.

[PLMerite]

"Time to modify the phalanx systems to depress enough to take out small craft. BRRRRRP! and fish food!"

Exactly. There's a reason the 23mm cannons on the Soviet ZSU-23/4 anti-aircraft gun depress below horizontal.

Okay, for them it was crowd control, but...

[newzjunkey]

On Sept. 2 President George W. Bush is expected to address the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden.

I still can't get over the insanity of not stopping the subway trains while he's speaking since the subway runs right under MSG! He seems to like to taunt. These insecurity measures I've read about seem more like a suicide pact.

(Uh oh, I've found my tin foil hat. Definitely time for bed.)

[Former Proud Canadian]

Look how perfectly faded his jeans are. I wonder how the butler got that look.

[traumer]

Bump the danger level to RED and head for the mountains !?

[El Gato]

Time to modify the phalanx systems to depress enough to take out small craft. BRRRRRP! and fish food!

Pretty sure they already can. Besides which Stingers would not be much good against small craft and RPGs. The Carriers escorts are bound to have deck guns as well. One airburst from a 5" or 176mm and you get shredded terrorists.

Here's the appropriate armament from a Perry Class Frigate for example :

1 76mm OTO DP, 1 20mm Phalanx CIWS, 2 triple 12.75 inch 2 25mm Bushmaster low-angle, 2-4 12.7mm MG

(12.7mm = .50 BMG! those alone would do the job against anybody trying to get into RPG range. ) That 25 mm Bushmaster is, IIRC, the same weapon that arms the Bradley fighting vehicles.

And of course the Carrier herself mounts F/A-18s, armed with 20mm Vulcan cannon. I'm sure those Hornet drivers would love a little straffing practice.

[El Gato]

Bump the danger level to RED and head for the mountains !?

The mountains or the desert would not seem the appropriate places to escape terrorists who have trained in Hindu Kush area (Afghanistan/Pakistan) and who may be from places like Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, etc, etc, etc. Maybe the deep woods of the lower rockies would bother them, since trees would surely be a mystery to them. Or we could chase them across the Great Plains, and harvest them like so much wheat or corn (might even be able to devise an armored combine with a special head to do the job :) )

[Smokin' Joe]

Never underestimate all those farmers and others out here who are proficient with a scoped rifle. Whitetail at 200-300 yards is no problem.