CNN has already dismissed the Miami 7 as wannabes and "not real terrorists" in an obvious attempt to deflect any political gains the Whitehouse might get for providing some actual security. The big story for the Times today was of course not the big arrests in Miami, but the outing of yet another clandestine anti terror program. After all, only dead Americans make for interesting news stories.
I read that story and thought, "The old, 'nothing to see here, move along' story."
Despicable.
Well if the "wannabes" had been going blow up CNN headquarters in Atlanta, maybe they would not be quite so dismissive.
Having read the indictment, this group of wannabes don't seem like they have the ability to tie their own shoes. But in the days to come we will see if they were a valid threat or not.
The deputy director, USAG said, "They were charged under statute 2939(A), as opposed to 2939(B), which names various terrorist organizations (hezbolla, al qaeda, etc.). Statute 2939(A) gives us the authority to charge people with conspiracy to aid terrorist organizations not specifically named in 2939(B)."
I consider that a shot across the bow of the MSM.
From Will Bunch's Attytood blog in The Philly Inquirer: " . . . and now they' ve busted another "terror cell" in Miami which we can guarantee will ultimately prove to be not what it seems to be.
Yes, and that was the general theme of today's press conference with Tony Snow. Just remember: to the media, if it looks like the Bush admin is being effective in rooting out the bad guys, that's a Bad Thing for Democrats. I've already heard one 'Rat telling an interviewer that these were just "misguided youths" and not "real" terrorists.