Intelligence Averts Another Attack

Wall Street Journal ^ | October 1, 2009 | MICHAEL B. MUKASEY

[La Lydia]

Why do Democrats in Congress want to change key laws that have helped to discover terrorist plots? One would think that the arrests of Najibullah Zazi...and of two others charged with planning to blow up buildings in Dallas, Texas, and Springfield, Ill.—would generate support for the intelligence-gathering tools that protect this country from Muslim fanatics. In Mr. Zazi's case, the government has already confirmed the value of these tools: It has filed a notice of its intent to use information gathered under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which was specifically written to help combat terrorists and spies.

Nevertheless, there is a rear-guard action in Congress to make it more difficult to gather, use and protect intelligence—the only weapon that can prevent an attack rather than simply punish one after the fact. The USA Patriot Act, enacted in the aftermath of 9/11, is a case in point.

This law has a series of provisions that will expire unless Congress renews them. Up for renewal this year is a provision that permits investigators to maintain surveillance of sophisticated terrorists who change cell phones frequently to evade detection...

...some congressional Democrats want to impose requirements that would diminish their effectiveness, or add burdens to existing authorizations that would retard rather than advance our ability to gather intelligence....

The same proposed legislation would make it harder to obtain a real-time record of incoming and outgoing call in national security cases...

While the changes may sound benign, they turn the concept of an investigation on its head, requiring the government to submit proof at the outset of an investigation while facts are still being sought...

[La Lydia]

Democrats trying to set the stage for another attack.

[RAO1125]

Until they start naming the enemy, I was always incredibly wary of giving the intelligence services these kind of powers. Considering the abuse that has been admitted (let alone what we don’t know) one has to question if it is truly worth it. Would someone like Zazi have been caught without the Patriot Act? Probably, considering the sloppy and amateur way he went about trying to concoct the attack. It’s not like the first WTC bombing or 9/11 was unforeseen by any means.

[Right_Handed_Writer]

It’s the LACK of intelligence that will cause the next one.

[RC2]

“It’s the LACK of intelligence” in Washington that will cause the next attack.

[EternalVigilance]

The words “enemies, foreign and domestic” immediately spring to mind.

What an interesting phrase.

Gosh. Think what it might mean if the oath of office made before God and man actually meant something to these people.

[Cindy]

A very small sample of what I have viewed recently ON THE INTERNET:

TERRAPLEXIC.org/Current-Intelligence: "WHEN IDEOLOGUES (PLAN TO) ATTACK" by Marisa Urgo (SNIPPET: "Today, the FBI arrested for a second time Tarek Mehanna, a 27 year old Massachusetts man. This time Mehanna was arrested on various terrorism-related charges associated with a plot to attack shopping malls. Mehanna's plot appears to have been more "aspirational" rather than operational. However, the Mehanna arrest is significant, because he was a member of a prominent circle of young Salafist-Jihadists living in the United States. His blog was primarily dedicated to Salafist-Jihadist thought, and it was regularly linked back on by other members of the circle. Those members remain very active online, blogging and sharing jihadi media. They are for the most part the virtual epicenter of Salafist-Jihadism in the United States.") (October 22, 2009) (Read More...)

SHABELLE.net: Mogadishu - "HARAKAT AL-SHABAB MUJAHIDEEN VOW THEY WILL DEFLECT THE FIGHTING TO KAMPALA AND BUJUMURA" by Hassan Osman (Posted October 23, 2009, 2:01 pm) (Read More...)

NATION.co.ke (REUTERS): Mogadishu - "ISLAMISTS THREATEN TO STRIKE BURUNDI, UGANDA" (October 23, 2009) (Read More...)

MEFORUM.org - MIDDLE EAST QUARTERLY: "THE STRATEGIC CHALLENGE OF SOMALI'S AL-SHABAAB DIMENSIONS OF JIHAD" by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross (SNIPPET: "Today, Al-Shabaab is a capable fighting force that implements a strict version of Shari'a in key areas of Somalia. Its range is enhanced by training camps from which many Western Muslims have graduated. This has made Al-Shabaab a significant security concern to several countries, including the United States. Terrorist training. Given the relationship noted above between Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda, which includes ideological affinity and interlocking leadership, there are worries about Al-Shabaab's connections to transnational terrorism.") (Fall 2009) (Read More...)

FORBES.com: "ARMAGEDDON TIME When it comes to Iran, the U.S. may be facing a cataclysm." by Peter Robinson (SNIPPET: "The second observation: The Iranians have no interest in running a bluff. Once able to produce nuclear weapons, they will almost certainly do so.") (October 23, 2009, 12:01 am EDT) Read More...)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch No. 2605: "IRANIAN SUPREME NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: 'Circumstances May Arise Under Which Iran Will Require Uranium Enriched to 63%'" (October 19, 2009) (Read More...)

BOSTON HERALD.com: "OFFICIALS SAY MALLS REMAIN VULNERABLE" by Donna Goodison (October 22, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AAP): "AUSTRALIA: ISLAMIC CLERIC HARASSES FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN WITH HARANGUING PHONE CALLS AND LETTERS" (SNIPPET: "...Sheikh Haron..." SNIPPET: "He was granted bail...") (October 22, 2009) (Read More...)

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YNET NEWS.com (AP): "SENATE OKs MOVE OF GITMO PRISONERS TO US FOR TRIAL" (SNIPPET: "The plan to permit terror suspects held at the facility to be shipped to US soil to face trial passed the US Senate by a 79-19 vote as part of a larger $44.1 billion budget bill for the Homeland Security Department.") (Published October 21, 2009, 00:35) (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: Joint Terrorism Task Force Headquarters New York, New York - "REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCE STAFF MEMBERS" (SPEECH SNIPPET: "Of course, we all know that we're facing a determined adversary. They are resourceful, they are resilient, they are still plotting, as we have become all too aware. No one can ever promise that there won't be another attack on America's soil.") (October 20, 2009) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch No. 2608: "Urdu-Language Pakistani Weekly Preaches Martyrdom: 'These Are the Times for Jihad and Martyrdom... If the Muslims Know How to Die -- More Than That, They Know How To Kill'; 'Obama Should Stop Being the Patron of the Jews and Abandon the Dream of Making Muslims Liberal'" (October 20, 2009) (Read More...)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: IRNA (Iran), October 17, 2009"): "IRANIAN HACKER: WE WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE REGIME" (Posted October 18, 2009) (Read More...)

DEFENSElink.mil (AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE): Washington - "ADMIRAL CITES NEED TO PREPARE FOR ALL THREATS" by Gerry J. Gilmore (October 19, 2009) (Read More...)

DEFENSElink.mil (AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE): Virginia Beach, VA - "MILITARY NEEDS NEW STRATEGY FOR PRESENT, FUTURE THREATS, GENERAL SAYS" (May 12, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (SUN): "U.K. JIHADIST PREACHER ANJEM CHOUDARY CALLS ON QUEEN TO CONVERT TO ISLAM" (October 19, 2009) (Read More...)

English.CHOSUN.com: "N.KOREAN HACKERS INFILTRATED S. KOREAN MILITARY NETWORKS" (SNIPPET: "The NIER official said, "It looks like around 2,000 national secrets have been stolen, including the names of around 700 companies or state-run entities that manufacture toxic chemicals and some 1,350 types of such chemicals."") (October 19, 2009) (Read More...)

UBIWAR.com - blog: "NORTH KOREA FINGERED AGAIN IN HACKING 'REVELATIONS'" by Tim Stevens (October 18, 2009) (Read More...)

AINA.org: "TALIBAN IN PAKISTAN WARNS CHRISTIAN LEADERS TO CONVERT TO ISLAM OR FACE DIRE CONSEQUENCES" (Posted October 16, 2009, 22:47) (Read More...)

LONG WAR JOURNAL.org: "GERMAN AL QAEDA LEADER SANCTIONED BY US TREASURY" by Bill Roggio (SNIPPET: "...Bekkay Harrach...") (October 15, 2009, 1:28 pm) (Read More...)

WASHINGTON TIMES.com: "U.S. TROOP FUNDS DIVERTED TO PET PROJECTS" by Shaun Waterman (SNIPPET: "Senators diverted $2.6 billion in funds in a defense spending bill to pet projects largely at the expense of accounts that pay for fuel, ammunition and training for U.S. troops, including those fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to an analysis.") (October 15, 2009) (Read More...)

INVESTORS.com - IBD Editorials: "SELLING CHINA THE ROPE TO HANG US" (October 16, 2009, 7:54 pm) (Read More...)

WASHINGTON TIMES.com - Exclusive: "OBAMA LOOSENS MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROLS TO CHINA" (October 15, 2009) (Read More...)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "CAIR'S INNER WORKINGS EXPOSED" by Daniel Pipes (Posted October 15, 2009) (Read More...)

HUMAN EVENTS.com: "CAIR TRIES TO PLANT MUSLIM INTERNS ON KEY HILL STAFFS" by Jed Babbin (SNIPPET: "The CAIR memo says, in part: "We will focus on influencing congressmen responsible for policy that directly impacts the American Muslim community. (For example, the judiciary, intelligence, and homeland security committees.) We will develop national initiatives such as a lobby day and placing Muslim interns in Congressional offices."") (October 14, 2009) (Read More...)

FOX NEWS.com: "GOP LAWMAKERS ACCUSE MUSLIM ADVOCACY GROUP CAIR OF PLANTING SPIES ON CAPITOL HILL Four congressmen are asking for an investigation into the Council on American Islamic Relations after discovering an internal memo noting the group's strategy." (October 14, 2009) (Read More...)

JOHN SHADEGG.house.gov - News Release: Washington - "SHADEGG, MYRICK, BROUN, FRANKS CALL FOR CAIR INVESTIGATIONS" (October 14, 2009) (Read More...)

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JPOST.com - JERUSALEM POST: "KUWAITI PAPER: SYRIA TRANSFERRED 1/4 OF ITS MISSILE ARSENAL TO HIZBULLAH" (SNIPPET: "Iranian and Syrian officers were reportedly training the Hizbullah operatives in using the new missiles and in operating early warning systems intended to alert the group of Israeli jets.") (Updated October 15, 2009, 16:04) (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "WELL, IF IT ISN'T AMERICA'S SECOND BEST CYBER SHAHEED..." (October 12, 2009)

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EXPRESS.co.uk - UK NEWS: "NOW MUSLIMS DEMAND: GIVE US FULL SHARIA LAW" by Martyn Brown (SNIPPET: "The fanatical group Islam4UK has - announced plans to hold a potentially - incendiary rally in London later this month." SNIPPET: "Plans for the demonstration have been - delivered to the Metropolitan Police and could see up to 5,000 extremists marching to demand the controversial system." SNIPPET: "The group declared: "We hereby request all Muslims in the United Kingdom, in Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow and all other places to join us and collectively declare that as submitters to Almighty Allah, we have had enough of democracy and man-made law and the depravity of the British culture. "On this day we will call for a complete upheaval of the British ruling system its members and legislature, and demand the full implementation of Shari'ah in Britain.") (October 15, 2009) (Read More...)

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IOL.co.za: "PLOT TO BOMB U.S. BUILDINGS, DISRUPT WORLD CUP" by Makhudu Sefara and Peter Fabricuius (SNIPPET: "US embassy spokeswoman Sharon Hudson-Dean said: "We don't comment on intelligence matters." An NIA official said yesterday: "This is classified information. If you publish it, this will jeopardise an operation already under way".") (October 11, 2009, 09:58 am) (Read More...)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: ISNA (Iran), October 10, 2009"): "IRAN: IF VIENNA TALKS FAIL, WE WILL ENRICH URANIUM TO A LEVEL OF 20%" (Posted October 11, 2009) (Read More...)

JPOST.com - JERUSALEM POST: "'Iran will blow up the heart of Israel'" (Updated October 10, 2009, 1:03) (Read More...)

TRUTHUSA.com: A Look at Iran (Read More...)

OSAC.gov - Warden Message: "POSSIBLE ATACKS IN COLOMBIA" (October 9, 2009) (Read More...)

US DOJ.gov/opa - Press Release: Washington - "UNITED STATES TRANSFERS TWO GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEES TO KUWAIT AND BELGIUM" (SNIPPET: "Khalid Abdullah Mishal al Mutairi, a native of Kuwait, was transferred to the Government of Kuwait. On July 29, 2009, a federal court ruled that al Mutairi may no longer be detained under the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) and ordered the government to release him from detention at Guantanamo Bay. Another detainee was transferred from Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Belgium. Pursuant to a request from the Government of Belgium, the identity of this individual is being withheld for privacy reasons.") (October 9, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHADICA.com - blog: "Abu'l-Walid is Back... with the Taliban (and not al-Qaida)" by Vahid Brown (October 9, 2009) (Read More...)

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THE AUSTRALIAN.com.au: "AFGHAN FOREIGNER KIDNAP ORDER BY AL-QA'IDA LEADER MUSTAFA HAMID" by Sally Neighbour (SNIPPET: "The directive has been issued by veteran al-Qa'ida adviser Mustafa Hamid, also known as Abu Walid al-Masri, who was married to Australian Rabiah Hutchinson in Afghanistan in 2001. Hamid has been detained in Iran since 2003 but remains an influential figure in the militant movement and has maintained contact with his followers through jihadist websites, despite his imprisonment.") (September 16, 2009) (Read More...)

House.gov - News Release: "MYRICK LAUNCHES NATIONAL SECURITY AND COUNTER-TERRORISM AGENDA" (October 8, 2009) (Read More...)

Myrick.House.gov/wakeup: "REP. SUE MYRICK'S 'WAKE UP AMERICA' 2.0 AGENDA" (Read More...)

ISRAPUNDIT.com - blog: "RevolutionMuslim.com Calls on Allah to Kill Jews" by Bill Levinson (October 8, 2009) (Read More...)

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COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "NEFA BACKGROUNDER: ABDULLAH AL-FAISAL: EXTREMIST IDEOLOGUE WITH INFLUENCE IN THE WEST" by Madeleine Gruen (SNIPPET: "Al-Faisal has been credited with providing spiritual mentorship to men connected with terrorist acts and major plots including 7/7 London transit bombers Mohammed Sidique Khan and Germaine Lindsay and James Ujaama, an American who conspired to establish a jihad training camp in Bly, Oregon.") (October 7, 2009) (Read More...)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: Fars, Iran, October 6, 2009"): "IRAN TO LAUNCH THIRD RESEARCH ROCKET" (October 6, 2009) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch No. 2579: "AHWAZI ORGANIZATION: Iran is Planning to Attack the Gulf Countries; Iran is Producing Chemical Weapons and Burying the Waste in Ahwaz" (October 6, 2009 (Read More...))

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Link (pdf)

PRESS TV.ir: "CHINA TRACES NERVE GAS BACK TO NORTH KOREA" (October 9, 2009, 2:42 GMT) (Read More...)

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KOREA TIMES.co.kr: "N. KOREA HAS 13 TYPES OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS" by Jung Sung-ki" (SNIPPET: "The North is believed to be one of the world's largest possessors of chemical and biological weapons. South Korea suspects the communist neighbor has up to 5,000 tons of chemical agents.") (October 5, 2009, 21:51) (Read More...)

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COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: 'VIDEO: GERMAN AND AMERICAN MILITANTS TRAINING FOR TERROR IN PAKISTAN" by Evan Kohlmann (October 9, 2009) (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "FURQON.COM: A SITE OF THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF UZBEKISTAN" (SNIPPET: "This site is distributing a new video from the IMU, featuring the "German" jihadi Abu Askar...") (October 5, 2009) (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "VOLUME OF THREAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY EQUAL LIKELIHOOD OF ATTACK Which is a good thing considering the volume of threats vis-a-vis Germany." (October 5, 2009) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch No. 2576: "NEW THREAT MESSAGE WARNS: AL-QAEDA WILL ATTACK GERMANY ON A SUNDAY IN OCTOBER" (October 4, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (NYT, October 3, 2009): "REPORT: IRAN HAS DATA NECESSARY TO MAKE A NUCLEAR BOMB" (Posted October 4, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AFP, October 1, 2009): Ottawa - "IRAN TRYING TO GET NUCLEAR MATERIALS VIA CANADA" (October 3, 2009) (Read More...)

FOX NEWS.com: "FBI DIRECTOR: AL QAEDA-LINKED SOMALI GROUP COULD ATTACK U.S." by Catherine Herridge (October 2, 2009) (Read More...)

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JIHAD WATCH.org (TULSA WORLD, October 1, 2009): "EX-MUSLIM RECEIVES DEATH THREATS AFTER PUBLISHING ARTICLE CRITICAL OF ISLAM -- IN TULSA" (October 2, 2009) (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "THERE'S JUST NO NICE WAY TO SAY IT..." (October 2, 2009) (Read More...)

FREEREPUBLIC.com - Discussion Forum (DAWN.com): "SENIOR SAUDI PRINCE LIGHTLY INJURED IN SUICIDE ATTACK" (August 28, 2009) (Read More...)

!@#$% (October 2, 2009)

!@#$% (October 2, 2009)

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RIGHT SIDE NEWS.com: "MEXICO: EMERGENCE OF AN UNEXPECTED THREAT" by Scott Stewart (September 30, 2009) (Read More...)

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INATODAY.com - INTERNATIONAL NEWS ANALYSIS TODAY: "SPY THREAT: CATCH AND RELEASE -- A Veteran Counterintelligence Officer Warns America" by Toby Westerman (September 30, 2009) (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: "Briefing Room" (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: "Issues" (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: "Presidential Actions" (Note: Includes Executive Orders, Proclamations, & Memos) (Read More...)

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT