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'Today' Doesn't Tell Us Mackinac Bridge Suspects Arab-Americans
Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 08/14/2006 5:55:16 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest

by Mark Finkelstein

August 14, 2006

Maruan Awad Muhareb. Adham Abdelhamid Othman. Louai Abdelhamied Othman.

Now you know the names of the three suspects arrested over the weekend, suspected in a plot to blow up the Mackinac Bridge, which connects Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas.

You wouldn't have known either their names or backgrounds had you relied on the Today show this morning for the information. According to the wife of one of the suspects, the men's families come from Jerusalem.

According to NBC reporter Janet Shamlian, who narrated a segment on the situation, those facing terrorism charges are "three Texas men." For all Today told us, the suspects could have been Bubba and the Boys, perhaps upset that the Detroit Tigers are leading the Texas Rangers in the American League.

The three are, of course, innocent until proven guilty. Perhaps it was just a misuderstanding, and they were buying cell phones not to use as detonators, but - as they claim - to resell at a profit back in Texas. Nevertheless, without the information on their backgrounds, Today gave us much less than half the story.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events; US: Michigan; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: arabamericans; arrests; crushislam; deceit; islam; islamicfascists; islamisevil; janetshamlian; jihadinamerica; mackinac; mackinacbrige; msm; muslim; muslims; nbc; nbcnews; newsblackout; politicalcorrectness; todayshow; trop; wot
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To: Ironfocus
The types of phones sold by the prepaid providers are normally not multiband, they are US specific, or, they are network/sim-locked.

Thanks. As I understand it there is at least one cheap Nokia cell phone (about $30) sold by tracfone that, for a very small fee, can be un-sim-locked. But I'm not an expert in this area.

I would venture that it easier for anyone with bad intentions to buy cellphones off e-bay, no tracking or limits, and any technology you would need.

Easy to buy off ebay, but traceable, in most cases? Are cash transactions even permitted by ebay? (Which is not to say they don't happen, permitted or not.)

At a WalMart a terrorist can simply plunk down his cash, and his purchase is then untraceable. Unless a surveillance camera happens to catch his face. Or a sales clerk remembers it.

81 posted on 08/14/2006 10:13:28 AM PDT by shhrubbery! (Max Boot: Joe Wilson has sold more whoppers than Burger King)
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To: Mo1

It was repeated just a few minutes ago..........there never was a threat, and there is not a threat now.


82 posted on 08/14/2006 10:27:42 AM PDT by joe fonebone (Time to bring back tar and feathering.)
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To: shhrubbery!

Yes, you can sim unlock phones, some by just entering a pin code. With others you need to flash them.

You can easily buy untraceable off e-bay, with either prepaid debit cards, or shelf companies, which is how most terrorist funding works in any case.


83 posted on 08/14/2006 10:28:34 AM PDT by Ironfocus (Love, faith, honor, integrity, duty......)
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To: m1aspringfield
they look like Mexicans to me

I spent a decade in West Los Angeles.

These guys would fit in well as "undocumented".
Or with legal residents and citizens with parentage from Mexico and
points south.
84 posted on 08/14/2006 10:34:52 AM PDT by VOA
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To: Ironfocus

How long do you think it will be before Tracphones and their like are stashed behind the pharmacy counter with the decongestants? I really resent having to sign my name and present ID just to buy supposedly OTC allergy medication, so why should I be treated worse than terrorists?


85 posted on 08/14/2006 10:41:08 AM PDT by Kieri (A Grafted Branch (Rom. 11))
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

I aggree...
Has to be for the Walkover...

Annual Bridge Walk
http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9618_11016-22029--,00.html


86 posted on 08/14/2006 10:43:34 AM PDT by tcrlaf (Terrorism-You Reap What You Appease........)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Over the last few days, I have had my sat radio on to Fox news....it is interesting to listen only to the audio....these media folks, are totally out to lunch, their elevators, don't reach the top floor....they have nothing to say, let along report...they repeat the same nonsense, many times over...they are IMHO, a total waste of electrical power...in frustration, I tuned them out....


87 posted on 08/14/2006 10:51:46 AM PDT by thinking
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To: Kieri

I don't know how long it will be. I can see that it won't be long until you have to register your prepaid phone. It is already law in Australia, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Thailand.


88 posted on 08/14/2006 10:58:08 AM PDT by Ironfocus (Love, faith, honor, integrity, duty......)
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To: shhrubbery!

Our cell phones do not work abroad.

I'm not sure that's true. I've heard you can buy country-specific SIM cards that can be installed in tracfones for use outside the US. Anybody know?

##########################

I know the answer to this. GSM phones, in Europe, Asia, US, and Canada are designed to store all user specific info in a replaceable chip. Howsomeever, the vendors in the US and Canada lock the phone so it won't work with a replaced chip, vendor lock-in you know. I know of no Cingular customer who was given their unlock code. T-Mobile does give out the unlock codes if you're paid up. Handy for travellers to Europe. T-Mobile phones can be used abroad with a new chip. Don't know Virgin's policy.

CDMA phones are vendor specific, the world over. There is a proposal to put user info on a chip, it has not been implemented.

Tracfone never gives out the unlock codes for their GSM phones, their US purchased phones are utterly useless in Europe and Canada. Tracfone can barely communicate legitimate activation codes, I speak as a customer.

And you're not going to saw the surface mounted chips off any motherboard, let alone a cellphone mb.


89 posted on 08/14/2006 2:52:46 PM PDT by spudsmaki
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To: NavyCanDo

IRS. Good suggestion. These islammy zombies don't know nothin 'bout meanness until they meet de IRS. Dey all goin' to jail if de IRS card be played on dem.


90 posted on 08/14/2006 3:13:27 PM PDT by mathurine (ua)
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To: m1aspringfield

cheez, don't you know swedes when ya see them?


91 posted on 08/14/2006 4:45:32 PM PDT by Marysecretary (Thank you, Lord, for FOUR MORE YEARS!!!)
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To: spudsmaki
Thanks for your reply. I have a relative moving to the UK, so we're trying to research this.

As for 'Tracfone never gives out the unlock codes for their GSM phones, their US purchased phones are utterly useless in Europe and Canada,' it's my understanding there are websites that offer to un-SIM-lock certain Nokia phones (such as are offered by Tracfone), for example, for a small fee.

IOW, I don't think you have to go through Tracfone to do it. But I haven't tried it yet and don't know if this info is correct.

Tracfone can barely communicate legitimate activation codes, I speak as a customer.

Heh, I know what you mean. Trying to deal with tracfone's customer service is an exercise in outrage and frustration.

I think they purposely put an echo on all customer service lines so you can hardly communicate at all.

92 posted on 08/15/2006 8:54:53 AM PDT by shhrubbery! (Max Boot: Joe Wilson has sold more whoppers than Burger King)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

would you please add me to your ping list?


93 posted on 08/16/2006 5:21:56 AM PDT by jurroppi1
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