I recently finished the book Infiltration - linked at the start of the thread. There were many chapters devoted to this very idea... the top secret Language center of the FBI is mostly foreigners (especially the Arabic department). It doesn't make sense to me to try to fight a war with people who may be sympathetic to the enemy at the front lines for protecting the homeland. The reasons are many, obviously. Number 1 in that area remains that very few people born in America are fluent in Arabic.
Even as far as the paper trails, etc... I do believe we are wasting talent in the WOT. There are many people who would be willing to help out, TMers amongst them. Many such folks would make good 'helpers,' and would likely do the work for free... as you stated. So much of defeating terrorism goes hand in hand with making sure all the pieces are gathered, much of this info is not even classified... as we have seen here.
We seem to do a darn good job following things here on TM. Over the past 1.5yrs, it seems as if we have been keeping up quite well. It's been interesting to see how often something has been posted here long before it ever surfaces in the mainstream American news.
Sorry I broke the rules, but this could be important:
From Mutterings:
http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/
Report: Warning Letter Delivered to U.S. Ambassador in the U.K.
by Sean Osbrne, Military Affairs Expert & Senior Analyst
6 June 2005: The following letter was recently published on a “member only” Islamic terrorist website where the poster purported that it had been delivered to the U.S. Ambassador’s office in London. It is signed – and apparently written – by Islamic leader Shaykh Abdul Monem Halimah Abubaseer Al-Tartousi who leads the Islamic Conservatory Centre, which has long been considered a front organization of al Qaeda, and al-Tartousi as Osama bin Laden’s mouthpiece in the U.K. Despite it's date, it was only recently posted to that website to the reception of cheers and calls for another 9/11-style attack on America.
In the month following the Islamic terrorist attacks on 9/11, the leader of this Islamic Centre was charged with complicity in the assassination of Afghan opposition leader Ahmed Shah Massood.
This letter constitutes a viable, direct threat issued once again by al Qaeda, conforming to the Islamist Qur'anic requirement that warning be given prior to the enemies of Islam prior to launching an attack. This particular warning is targeting one or more major American cities with total destruction. (British spelling left intact).
To the U.S Ambassador in the U.K:
No doubt you have learnt how your soldiers and interrogators at the camps of Guantanamo Bay have dived even deeper in their excessive underestimation of Muslims faith and sanctities by violating and dishonouring the Noble Qur 'an. Unless it proved otherwise, this kind of degrading behaviour, as we believe cannot take place without it being sanctioned and authorized by the power in Washington.
Hence, the power in Washington as well as president George Bush are fully responsible for all actions perpetrated by their officials in Guantanamo Bay, Abu-ghraib prison in Iraq and other places. These irresponsible acts will rather cause harm and widens the gap between Muslims (excluding their governments) on one side, and the American administration with their oppressive policy towards Islam and Muslims on the other side.
Be informed that survival and continuity of nations are based upon justice. Whereas, tyranny, aggression and arrogance will surely lead to destruction as well as punishment of God in this life and the Hereafter. God said: (And how many a city have we destroyed that was insolent in its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is we who were the inheritors. And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until he had sent to their Mothers [i.e principle city] a Messenger reciting to them our verses. And we would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers) surah: 28, verse: 58-59.
(And those cities we destroy them when they wronged, and we made for their destruction an appointed time) Surah 18, verse: 59. (And when we intend to destroy a city, we command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word [i.e.: deserved decree] comes into effect upon it, and we destroy it with [complete] destruction) Surah 17, verse: 16.
Allah ' s way is that oppression and transgression always lead to destruction.
If you claim that you do not fear Allah ' s revenge because you have more power, we say that Allah is more powerful than you. He cannot be defeated, therefore let not your power deceive you, you have an example in people of Aad [a vanished nation] when Allah said: (As for Aad, they were arrogant upon the earth without right and said: “Who is greater than us strength?” Did they not consider that Allah who created them was greater than them in strength? But they were rejecting our signs) Surah 41, verse:114.
So do not be deceived by Allah ' s forbearance and do not feel secure from the plan of Allah. Allah said: (Then did they feel secure from the plan of Allah? But no one feels secure from the plan of Allah except the losing people) Surah: 7, verse: 99
Finally, we urge you to apologize sincerely, punish the transgressors and not to allow this kind of action to happen again.
On behalf of the organizers:
Islamic conservatory centre in London
Shaykh: Abdul Monem Halimah Abubaseer Altartousi
20th May 2005
You're totally correct about that Ian. The Minutemen are comprised of ex-law enforcement personnel and other professional and exemplary people. They are talked about in a derogatory manner and not given the credit they are due. So many of us, right here on TM, have year upon year of experience tracing people, legal, law enforcement, etc. and could do so much to help keep our country safe.
SNIP: The real troubling aspect of this sad situation is the seeming lack of trust in the very people who volunteer for the dangerous work of protecting our freedoms overseas or stateside. Every Iraqi household is permitted to have one AK-47 assault rifle to help protect their family from terrorist and criminal attacks. [Note to the anti-gun left: these are real assault rifles, selectable to fully automatic, not the “sporter” semi-auto knock-offs that make you apoplectic when in the hands of an American householder.] Yet, our volunteer US citizen contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq are expected to abide by a set of arcane regulations drafted by inside-the-beltway JAG officers prohibiting them from carrying firearms for protection.
You are so right on all.
I have a book for you to read. I promise you will be glad you read it! This book really upset me, I would read a few chapters then lay it down then read some more put it down.
"The Camp of the Saints.
Published for the first time in 1973, Camp of the Saints is a novel that anticipates a situation which seems plausible today and foresees a threat that no longer seems unbelievable to anyone it describes the peaceful invasion of France, and then of the West, by a third world burgeoned into multitudes. At all levels — global consciousness, governments, societies, and especially every person within himself — the question is asked belatedly what's to be done?
It has been out of print I see it is back...hmmmmmm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1881780074/103-0146718-4230244?v=glance
I had to order it from the following link about 5 years ago. The Social Contact Press deals in books of this nature and if you buy from them you will get on the get on the black list of books. Books they don't want us to read.
They also have a quarterly journal that comes out. Most of the time it is over my head LOL but I know you would learn a lot from this.
~snip~From website...
MILITANT ISLAM AND THE WEST
Posted: 4.12.05
Now available: the Winter issue of The Social Contract journal in which Guest Editor Brenda Walker assembles articles urging America to take jihad more seriously.
~snip~
Immigrant numbers and immigration policies rank high in the activities and concerns of The Social Contract enterprises. We favor immigration, but at much lower, more traditional levels. We are in favor of fewer admissions in order to reduce the rate of America's population growth, protect jobs, preserve the environment, and foster assimilation.
http://www.thesocialcontract.com/index.html
Let me know if anyone reads it. Never mind if you read it you will want to tell me! smiles