Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Twenty-Two

[nwctwx]

Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Thread Twenty-Two (Index)

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Google News : Google Images : News Hotlinks

The Threat Matrix

The title refers to a daily report given to the president of the United States detailing the most serious terrorist threats against the country. To tackle those threats, the government has formed a top-notch task force to infiltrate the terror cells and cut off the danger.

"Every morning, the president receives a list of the top ten terrorist threats - this list is known as the threat matrix."

We here at FR are trying to be in conjunction with the daily reports around the world that involve threats. We try to provide a storehouse of information that takes hours of research.

YOU be the judge and get informed!

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Connect these dots, now
Full Story

"We should have secured the Mexican border."

That could be the pitiful lament we hear from negligent U.S. officials if Al Qaeda pulls off an attack on the United States using weapons of mass destruction smuggled across our southern frontier.

Were that horrendous event to happen, leaders in the administration and Congress would be justly hit with the same question that was perhaps unjustly cast at them and their predecessors after the unprecedented Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: Why didn't they connect the dots?

Related:
Bordering on Nukes?
'Bin Laden has fatwa for nuclear attack'
Jihadists Anticipate Imminent Nuclear Strike Against U.S.

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

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Threat Matrix "TM'er" Tips	Link to Thread Twenty-One "Code Red Implications: Code Red - Stay Home and Await Word." From Tm'er and Freeper ~MamaDearest~	Cindy's Links of Interest
TM Code of Conduct		ExSoldier's Invaluable Tips
TM's 'Be on the Lookout'		Godzilla's Summaries
Threat Matrix Book List		Arabic Image Links

[freeperfromnj]

Authorities track mystery odor across Philadelphia

11/18/2004, 6:05 p.m. ET
By DAVID B. CARUSO
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A mysterious invisible cloud of bad smelling ... something, wafted across Philadelphia on Thursday, leaving sour faces and perplexed officials in its wake.

Emergency dispatchers began receiving the first of hundreds of 911 calls about the strong odor shortly past 2 p.m., first from the southern tip of South Philadelphia, then farther north as the scent drifted on the wind.

Transit officials, fearful of a gas leak, evacuated the city's Broad Street subway line in South Philadelphia for about 45 minutes.

Television news crews chased the stink as it moved, interviewing city folk who had a hard time describing whatever it was they were smelling. Some said it was like propane. Others said it was more like sulfur.

Meanwhile, authorities collected air samples, phoned nearby refineries and checked the pressure of natural gas lines, trying to figure out if there had been some sort of industrial mishap.

"We don't know what it is. But we've gathered enough samples to know that it's not toxic. It's just offensive," mayoral spokeswoman Barbara Grant said at about 4 p.m.

Investigators were still puzzled in the early evening, although a police spokesman said authorities were checking out a theory that it was related to dust released as a substance was transferred between two train cars.

The odor had largely dissipated by 5 p.m., but not before authorities had collected complaints from city neighborhoods several miles up the Delaware River and across the water in Camden, N.J.

"We don't have any reports that it made anyone sick," said Fire Department Battalion Chief Willie Williams. "I'm just glad it's moving north out of the city."

[freeperfromnj]

Fuel Tanker Explosion, Spill Closes Major N.Y. Road

UPDATED: 12:20 PM EST November 18, 2004

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. -- A section of Route 9A in northern Westchester was closed Thursday morning as officials cleaned up fuel from a huge tanker explosion Wednesday night.....

http://www.wnbc.com/news/3928440/detail.html

[freeperfromnj]

Synagogue aide shot to death in Belgium

11/18/2004, 6:38 p.m. ET
By RAF CASERT
The Associated Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — An Orthodox Jew died Thursday after being shot in the head outside his home in one of Western Europe's most visible Jewish communities, the target of several recent attacks........

http://www.nj.com/newsflash/topstories/index.ssf?/base/international-9/1100780944177300.xml&storylist=

[Cindy]

and another article...

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=24&story_id=14124&name=Jewish+man%2C+father+of+three%2C+shot+dead+in+Antwerp

"Jewish man, father of three, shot dead in Antwerp"

18 November 2004

BRUSSELS

[freeperfromnj]

What are the odds the religion of peace is involved?

[CJ Wolf]

I don't know but when I used to drive to my grandmas, we had to pass by this area. First we all accused dad of farting then the stink would stick around for way to longa time and my dad would tell us we were getting close cause he could smelladelphia.

[appalachian_dweller]

setting placemark

'nite everyone.

[freeperfromnj]

My dad would tell us the same thing when we drove along the Jersey turnpike.

[Cindy]

We'll see what the investigation turns up.

[Cindy]

Is there a paper mill in that area?

[CJ Wolf]

OK cindy any specific reason why you would ask that question?

[lahargis]

Paper mills stink. At least, the one I used to drive by all the time did. :-)

[Mossad1967]

US Underestimates bin Laden, says Former CIA Official By Gary Thomas
Washington
17 November 2004
http://www.voanews.com/english/2004-11-17-voa73.cfm

The man who once headed the Central Intelligence Agency unit tracking Osama bin Laden says the United States needs to develop a sharper understanding of the terrorist leader and his appeal in the Islamic world.

Osama bin Laden is usually portrayed in official U.S. pronouncements as a mad terrorist bent on attacking the United States out of hatred for American values of freedom and democracy.

Michael Scheuer
But Michael Scheuer, who spent much of his 22-year career at the CIA tracking bin Laden, says such characterizations do little to fostering a true understanding of the terrorist leader.

"Any individual who continues to tell the American people that Osama bin Laden is simply a more lethal than usual gangster, or that he only represents the lunatic fringe of the Muslim world, or that this war has nothing to do with religion, as long as they keep spouting that sort of analysis, they will be giving the American people the wrong idea," said Mr. Scheuer.

In a lengthy VOA interview, Mr. Scheuer says the reality of bin Laden is far more complex. Bin Laden's grudge, says the former CIA analyst, is not with the American lifestyle, but with official U.S. policies.

"Bin Laden dislikes our society, without question. But his power, and his genius, if you will, comes from focusing on a specific set of United States policies that are widely viewed as antithetical to Muslim interests across the world," he explained.

Osama bin Laden
Mr. Scheuer says bin Laden and his followers are angry over U.S. support for both Israel and autocratic governments in the Arab world. Understanding that motivation, he says, is key to defeating al-Qaida and its allies.

"We're clearly engaged, if not in a war against Islam, in a war against a substantial number of Muslims who are mad at us for policy reasons," he continued. "It's a war that's not going to end any time soon. And we really need to at least appreciate the motivation behind it before we're going to be able to cope with it and ultimately defeat it."

Mr. Scheuer not only tracked bin Laden at the spy agency, but anonymously authored two books, published with official CIA clearance, on bin Laden and the war on terrorism. He says al-Qaida is really closer to an insurgent organization than the typical terrorist group.

"We really need to just accept the fact that it's not a traditional terror group," he emphasized. "It's a foe that's large, talented, modern, and professional. And as long as we underestimate it, many more Americans are going to die than would be necessary."

Although there have been no attacks on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001, Mr. Scheuer believes one is on the horizon. He thinks that another videotape of Osama bin Laden will soon surface with a warning of such an attack.


"He thinks that another videotape of Osama bin Laden will soon surface with a warning of such an attack."

This is interesting.
Could it be the expected tape that Aljazeera is holding back from us?
What do you guys think?

[Domestic Church]

Here are a few dots to connect...Russia selling arms to China:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1283386/posts

[Cindy]

Ditto.

[Cindy]

Thank you DC.

[CJ Wolf]

Whew...you just freaked me out. My grandma used to live on Paper Mill Road.

[Cindy]

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=52&story_id=14032&name=Anger+over+call+for+Muslim+public+holiday+

"Anger over call for Muslim public holiday"


17 November 2004


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "BERLIN - German opposition and government members reacted with anger Wednesday to calls by the Greens party - which serve in Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's coalition - for establishing a Muslim holiday in the country.

Bavarian state Premier Edmund Stoiber, a member of the Christian Social Union, slammed the idea as "sending out a totally wrong signal.""

[DAVEY CROCKETT]

Bush sees spread of nukes as top threat


By Ken Guggenheim
Associated Press
November 18, 2004


WASHINGTON -- The single greatest danger facing humanity, President Bush says, is the threat of nuclear weapons falling into terrorist hands.

So in the next four years, Bush looks to work with other nations to prevent countries from developing nuclear weapons, to secure and dismantle existing weapons and stop black-market trafficking of nuclear materials

http://www.indystar.com/articles/5/195639-8135-010.html

[Cindy]

Well now, if you ever visited your Grandma; then you know that smell.