What U.S. Intelligence Knew About the Underpants Bomber (they knew the father turned him in)

MSNBC ^ | 12/28/2009 | Mark Hosenball/Newsweek

[tobyhill]

If you’ve been wondering how alleged failed transatlantic underpants bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was able to board a plane for the U.S. after his father had warned of his terrorist sympathies, you need to understand the different data bases of suspected terrorists, and how they operate. The only entry in the US intelligence community’s principal electronic data base of suspected terrorists mentioning Abdulmutallab was based on a visit by the suspect’s father to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigera, according to two U.S. national security officials. Here is a chronology of what happened:

Abdulmutallab’s father, wealthy Nigerian banker Dr. Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, spoke in person with officials at the Embassy in the Nigerian capital on November 19, said the officials, who asked for anonymity when discussing an ongoing investigation. During this meeting the senior Mutallab informed Embassy officials that he was worried that his son had become involved with Islamic extremists; he specifically expressed concern that his son had either visited, or otherwise been in contact with, militants based in Yemen. Following the meeting, the officials said, the father’s information was circulated within the Embassy, including to representatives from US intelligence agencies stationed there. The next day, November 20, the Embassy sent a cable to Washington, reporting what Alhaji Mutallab had said.

[a fool in paradise]

He didn’t have a passport.
He paid cash for an expensive ticket.

But don’t profile him. It might result in a legal backlash.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Abdulmutallab’s father, wealthy Nigerian banker Dr. Alhaji Umaru Mutallab...

I think I am dealing with his father on a financial transaction of large magnitude.......

[Indy Pendance]

Mark Steyn is filling in for Rush, his humour (british spelling because of his undocumented status) is fantastic, calls him the panty bomber.

[kruss3]

The article seems to confirm that a wannabe terrorist would need to file a notarized affidavit of intent to bomb an airplane before anyone in our pathetic government would be empowered to interfere with his right to fly.

[InterceptPoint]

DON'T MISS THIS PARAGRAPH. It has Obama's fingerprints all over it.

"The TIDE data base is the government’s most comprehensive compilation of intelligence on known terrorism suspects. But, according to officials, it’s also often very raw information which lacks the kind of legal substance which US officials believe is required before such intelligence is used to restrict an individual’s travel, for example by putting them on a “no fly list” or special screening list maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center, a separate inter-agency unit run by the FBI."

[bert]

.....who asked for anonymity when discussing an ongoing investigation.....

Which apparently was ignored to protect the rights of the son

There must be proof before any action to thwart criminal action on an airplane..... it’s in the EO

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Reminds me of a song...

Rag nuts roasting on a PETN fire.

[newheart]

Thanks to Richard Reid we have to take off our shoes to go through security at the airport. By the same irrational logic, the most likely response of TSA to this latest attempt will be to require us to remove our underwear before we get on the plane. Soon enough, al Qaeda will have us flying naked.

[Voter62vb]

Rag nuts roasting on a PETN fire.
Obama turning up his nose.

[SmokingJoe]

“Soon enough, al Qaeda will have us flying naked.”

When? :)

[Voter62vb]

Rag nuts roasting on a PETN fire.
Obama turning up his nose.
Janet Napol publishing the width of a wire
And folks now have to shed their clothes
everybody knows...

Al Qaida sponsored underwear
Will help your seat glow hot and bright
Jihad tots with their AKs all in tow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight!

They know Obama will teach us all today
the things the US needs to know (not pray!)
And every Jihad op will spy to see if
The Airlines accept the Visa of this guy!?

Although its been said many times, many ways
It’s obama; we’re screwed!

[CDFingers]

I think I am dealing with his father on a financial transaction of large magnitude.......

LOL. Good thing no one is in work today to hear me.

[USMCPOP]

...Officials have not yet been able to ascertain whether underpants bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was wearing JaCques Penney boxers or Faroout-of-the-Loom briefs.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

LOL!

[FrankR]

"The Underpants Bomber>"

Now, there's something obama could "get into"...sissy that he is.

[Reily]

Exactly !!!
This is the essentially difference between how DemoRats view counter-terrorism versus the Republican viewpoint.
The DemoRats view it as a “legal problem”, apply lawyers & LE officers, & use minimal military; any intelligence used must be potentially admissible in court.
The GOP views it as mostly a military-intelligence problem with some law enforcement implications.
Using a legal viewpoint things must be admissible in court and you can't act unless a “crime (read terrorist act)” had been committed. This approach puts your perpetually on the defensive and you are totally reactive in your approach. The “enemy” sets the the operational tempo.
If you view it as a military-intelligence problem, you can set the tempo is you choose to do so.

You tell me which makes more sense and better protects this country!

This is a rhetorical question "To all" I know you (InterceptPoint} know the answer!

[piasa]

Fruit of the Booms?