Prosecutor: Mackinac Bridge was target (plan for cell phones)

The Saginaw News ^ | JUSTIN ENGEL08/12/06

[SE Mom]

Tuscola County prosecutors filed terrorism-related charges Saturday against three men who they say bought dozens of cell phones Friday in Caro in a globally coordinated plot involving the Mackinac Bridge.

They charged brothers Adham Abdelhamid Othman, 21, and Louai Abdelhamied Othman, 23, along with their cousin, Maruan Awad Muhareb, 18, with identical counts of collecting material to support terrorist acts and surveillance of a vulnerable target with intent to committ terrorism.

[Suzy Quzy]

They are Muslims....doesn't matter if they are citizens.

[CindyDawg]

What would be the harm in starting school the day after labor day, this year, like we used to?

[Hot Tabasco]

That's a scary thought.

I've been over the bridge several times and the only drive scarier is a narrow mountain rd. with no guard rails.

The wind really blows up there plus you have the swaying of the bridge to contend with which turns the trip into a real nail biter........

[standingfirm]

,

I grew up in MI and lived in both the UP and lower peninsula. I have been over the Mackinac bridge many times. It would be a prime regional target for terrorism. With these Caro, MI guys with the 1000 cell phones, it just makes me wonder if local cells have now been officially activated. How many cells are planning stuff nationally, that haven't been found out yet.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

How 'bout an analogy with the Merchant Marine service?

[patriciaruth]

Interesting. Thanks for the theory/information.

[Deo volente]

They have that empty, dead look in their eyes. Truly chilling and demonic.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

"I can prove who I am and my credentials, can you?"

of course you COULD. But you never do so when challenged, which is usually when you let your mouth override your butt. (I read a lot here, and have a good memory)

"Pettifogger" is what you are, pal. (one of your favorite words, as many are aware) Your off the cuff and wild "guarantee" that way more than 10 tons would be necessary is what you have pettifogged on this particular time.

[fanfan]

Or from funneled tsunami aid?

[fanfan]

[Niuhuru]

Kind of like the Tet Offensive. Attack everything and anything. I don't think it would limited to juust bombs; there could be Muslims out there shooting civilians too. Something like this may actually happen too. I sometimes wonder if we are just in the eye of the storm, like something more is coming.

[Niuhuru]

The same dead eyes I see in the face of every terrorist and criminal.

[fso301]

My understanding is that lithium batteries are internally fused to prevent explosion from a short circuit.

Thanks, I've opened NiMH cellphone battery packs and noticed a small amount of circuitry neccessary to qualify the battery as a "smart battery", If the "internal" fusing is part of one of these tiny circuit boards, bypassing it is no problem. I guess the question is, "What's the benefit?".

If a short circuited lithium ion battery explodes with 10% (I have no idea how much energy we're talking about) of the energy of TNT, daisy chaining lithium ion batterys into a larger explosive charge would be a waste of time. On the other hand, if it has 60% of the energy of TNT...

[Buffalo Head]

Yes I do and yes I did. It is clear that you don't understand the key goal of terrorism which is to instill terror into potential victims.

The body count, or lack thereof, in a particular event is moot as long as sufficient terror is created by the event.

[Faith-Hope]

"Between Michigan and Oklahoma homegrown college terrorist we don't need to import any more."


We need to send the imported ones that are here in the USA back home. (NOW)

[GarySpFc]

"I can prove who I am and my credentials, can you?"

of course you COULD. But you never do so when challenged, which is usually when you let your mouth override your butt. (I read a lot here, and have a good memory)
"Pettifogger" is what you are, pal. (one of your favorite words, as many are aware) Your off the cuff and wild "guarantee" that way more than 10 tons would be necessary is what you have pettifogged on this particular time.

Firstly, I have previously published a link to my website proving I am Special Forces.
Secondly, I have have provided proof of my credentials as a former member of the Special Forces to the two individuals above, and I will let them respond to your insult.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

the way-more-ten-ton guarantee, you pettifogger, LOL.

ya keep avoiding THAT one, expert!

[GarySpFc]

I suspect Steel Wolf will be able to provide confirmation that bridge would be extremely difficult to bring down, and 10 tons of HE almost certainly would not do it.

[GarySpFc]

"Pettifogger" is what you are, pal. (one of your favorite words, as many are aware) Your off the cuff and wild "guarantee" that way more than 10 tons would be necessary is what you have pettifogged on this particular time.

You obviously do not know the meaning of pettifogging. I was very clear 10 tons of HE would not bring down that bridge.

[GarySpFc]

When I say bring down the Mackanic Bridge, I am referring to a complete destrution which would be either one of the two towers or both of the main cables.