Oh, they definitely had the intent. And someday AQ will find a bunch of dummies who get lucky and actually carry it off - unless we're right on top of them. I kept hearing lib hearing callers to Rush (well, Roger Hedgecock) say this wasn't a big deal because the guys were stupid. Does their IQ realy matter if they manage to kill you or your family? Most criminals are low-IQ, too, but that doesn't stop them from inflicting harm and death.
I think a lot of this stuff I am hearing is like the press' reaction to the WMD info - scoff and minimize it.
I have not seen or read anything yet in the media (for the most part) so I don't know what is being reported or how. I have read the indictment though and the case presented in the indictment does make these guys out as total imcompetants. So if the press is saying these guys couldn't light a backyard bbq on fire it is not an unreasonable inference from the facts described in the indictment. I am curious to physically see what these clowns look like and I am glad they got caught but this is not a case of breaking up a major terror cell that was sponsered and supported by bin laden.