Posted on 09/22/2001 3:08:14 PM PDT by Reagan Man
Sources tell TIME that U.S. officials suspect that bin Laden conspirators may have been planning to disperse biological or chemical agents from cropdusting planes
Saturday, Sep. 22, 2001
New York -- U.S. law enforcement officials have found a manual on the operation of cropdusting equipment while searching suspected terrorist hideouts, government sources tell TIME magazine in an issue out on Monday, Sept. 24th.
The discovery has added to concerns among government counterterrorism experts that the bin Laden conspirators may have been planning — or may still be planning —to disperse biological or chemical agents from a cropdusting plane normally used for agricultural purposes.
Among the belongings of suspected terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui, sources tell TIME, were manuals showing how to operate cropdusting equipment that could be used to spray fast-killing toxins into the air.
The discovery resulted in the grounding of all cropdusters nationwide on Sunday Sept. 16th. The dusters have been allowed back up, but are not allowed to take off or land from what traffic controllers refer to as Class B airspace, or the skies around major cities.
One senior official cautions that because corroborative evidence is lacking the FBI does not place "high credibility" in the notion that the hijackers were in fact exploring the idea of stealing or renting cropdusters. However, the FBI is advising members of a crop-dusters' group to report any suspicious buys of dangerous chemicals in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks.
Last week, the National Agricultural Aviation Association, a crop dusters trade group, posted a message from the FBI to its membership: "Members should be vigilant to any suspicious activity relative to the use, training in or acquisition of dangerous chemicals or airborne application of same including threats, unusual purchases, suspicious behavior by employees or customers, and unusual contacts with the public. Members should report any suspicious circumstances or information to local FBI offices."
We need such a study of the weaknesses of our enemy, and first off how to use the mountains of Afghanastan against the foe there instead of visaversa. Enough people have been defeated by that terrain to put together a list of what not to do, then work from there.
Like the Arabs on the Boston flight the other day that other passengers refused to fly with, I am not sure, considering the consequences of being wrong, that we can simply ignore the presence of middle eastern looking people. As much as we want to be blind to ethnic and racial differences, we may do it at our peril under the circumstances of these days. The last thing I would want is to declare open season on everyone who appears to be middle eastern, but on the other hand, those in positions of authority, absolutely have to go by Reagan's rule for dealing with the Soviets-"trust, but verify" anything less is insanity.
/john
Plague (bacillis pestis) breaks out badly in an Algerian port city. The officials go into deep deep denial at the phase when strong medical and quarantine measure interventions might have stopped it.
The "chamber of commerc" types scream to the mayor "we will be ruined if you quarantine these areas". So the plague gets a strong grip.
By the time that there is no hiding it, it is too late, and the mayor declares quarantines, but the panicked citizens flee in terror in all directions.
Even the airlines couldn't tell the difference on the morning of September 11, how do you really expect that we know? If you listen to some of the voice chats the Arabs go to or read their message boards, you'll see very many are not at all upset about the attacks.
I didn't say there shouldn't be. There is no way to stop terrorism, period. These guys can come here, become citizens, have family's, AND become cropdusters. Maybe there is one enrolled in the school I just posted.
I concur. Boy oh boy, is our lax we-love-everybody, come-on-in, we-trust-you stance coming home to roost or what?
Sounds to me like they have a coordinated plan to launch massive germ warfare and toxic warfare. I wouldn't be surprised that they are just waiting for their agreed upon date.
Answer: You can't, you have to wait for the bomb to explode.
Or the cropduster to fly over a city spraying anthrax.
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