Possible Longboat terrorist Incident

Longboat Observer ^ | Sept. 27, 2001 | Shay Sullivan, City Editor

[Preachers Kid]

By now, most everyone knows President George W. Bush began that fateful day, Sept 11 on Longboat Key, but the FBI is now investigating whether terrorists also began that fateful day here on the island.

At about 6 a.m. Sept. 11, Longboat Key Fire Marshall Carroll Mooneyhan was at the front desk of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort as Bush prepared for his morning jog. From that vantage point, Mooneyhan overheard a strange exchange between a Colony receptionist and security guard.

A van occupied by men of Mid-Eastern descent had pulled up to the Colony stating they had a "poolside" interview with the president, Mooneyhan said. The self-proclaimed reporters then asked for a Secret Service agent by name. Guards from security relayed the request to the receptionist, who had not heard of either the agent or plans for an interview, Mooneyhan said.

The receptionist gave the phone over to a nearby Secret Service agent who said the same thing -no one knew of an agent by that name or of any possible interview.

The agent told the occupants of the van to contact the president's public relations office in DC and turned them away from the premises, Mooneyhan said.

In light of the attacks, Mooneyhan wonders if what he witnessed is related to the events of Sept. 11. So does the FBI.

"That's very strange," said an unnamed agent with the Sarasota field office of the FBI, who directed agents to look into the matter.

Earlier, the FBI questioned a Longboat Key man who also had a strange run-in with a van occupied by men of Mid-Eastern descent.

At 8:50 a.m. the man sttod on the Sarasota bayfront waiting for the presidential motorcade to pass. A dilapidated van passed him with two men of Middle Eastern descent "screaming out the windows,'Down with Bush' and raising their fists in the air".

The Longboat Key resident later reported the incident to police, who turned the matter over to FBI agents who questioned him.

[Preachers Kid]

Does anyone know anymore about this incident?

[Jewels1091]

Let's hope that they are caught!

[nevergore]

At 8:50 a.m. the man sttod on the Sarasota bayfront waiting for the presidential motorcade to pass. A dilapidated van passed him with two men of Middle Eastern descent "screaming out the windows,'Down with Bush' and raising their fists in the air".

Probably a couple of DU disruptors.........

NeverGore :^)

[wjeanw]

If this story is true, it is probably more of a psychological mission (psy-op?) than one planned with the real intent to kill the President. If the Secret Service is so inept as to allow "journalists" in to see the President without clearance, Bush's days are numbered.

[SGCOS]

By now, most everyone knows President George W. Bush began that fateful day, Sept 11 on Longboat Key...

First I've heard of it.

[1Old Pro]

The agent told the occupants of the van to contact the president's public relations office in DC and turned them away from the premises, Mooneyhan said.

big mistake, retraining ALERT !

The agent should have investigated. He should have approached the van, taken pictures of occupants and questioned them. SHEESH ! I guess we really are easy, untrained targets.

[kassie]

Hopefully they'll do this next time.

[Shermy]

Bump.

[swarthyguy]

A more conventional source than the other.

[Mo1]

The self-proclaimed reporters then asked for a Secret Service agent by name. Guards from security relayed the request to the receptionist, who had not heard of either the agent or plans for an interview, Mooneyhan said.

First I have heard of this story

[Dog]

This smacks of the assassination of Ahmed Shah Massoud..

[Dog]

Now Read this...

[Dog]

Look at this..

[prairiebreeze]

First I have heard of this story

Me too. That was the Secret Services reaction before 9-11. Now, I think they'd circle the van and drag them out or shoot 'em.

Prairie

[prairiebreeze]

Check this out, ping!

[Alas Babylon!]

And wasn't Massoud killed by "journalists" right around 9/11?

[Dog]

Yes he was...

This is the MO of Al Qaeda.

[Peach]

VERY interesting, although I have to wonder what took so long for us to hear about this incident.

[MJY1288]

I read about this before, The problem I have with the story is the bartenders claim that Atta was drinking in his bar, without the bartender there isn't much too this, unless there is some kind of proof that Atta was in Longboat Key. As far as the van full of Middle Eastern men shouting "Down with Bush" Florida has a large population of Middle Eastern men that would be more than happy to protest Bush. If the USSS stopped a van full of middle eastern men that were posing as journalist and trying to get near the President, you can bet they were detained and identified.

Until I read more than "Man on the street" interviews and Bartenders claiming the served Atta Rum and Cokes, I will consider this as chum for tinfoilers

[MissAmericanPie]

This is how Al Queda murdered that Iraqi leader, pretending they were reporters, they set up the camera, and shot him.

What is so verrrrry disburbing is their knowledge of Bush's schedule. The average person can't find out where the President is going to be at any given time. How did these guys know? Who, close enough to the President, that knows his comings and goings, is working for terrorists?
Doesn't he have a muslim body guard with the Secret Service?