“how in the world did they talk over the phone knowning they were being
looked at and NOT think the phone was tapped? DUH!”
I would not totally discount the possibility that the arrested guys
are allied with real radical Islamic terrorists (Al-Queda, et al.),
but may have acted as “red herrings”.
That is, act suspiciously, drain FBI/domestic law enforcement resources
and keep their eyes/ears off the real functioning terror group.
Being a diversion to keep our anti-terrorists from pursuing the
real terrorists...that would not be a shocker.
but in my line of work, the simplest explanation is usually the right one. criminals are stupid and are unable to keep their mouths shut.
they eventually seek help from people who are not as interested in criminal activity as they are.
informants are everywhere. i've arrested people for tiny little charges and they are ready to give up their mother to get out of a night in jail.
it is very difficult to plan/carry out a terror plot in todays NYC for these and many other reasons.
Or testing our system.