Posted on 01/30/2002 3:41:41 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
SEATTLE - NBC News is reporting that the Space Needle in Seattle - a high-profile landmark in America's Pacific Northwest - was apparently a target for al-Qaida terrorists.
U.S. officials tell NBC News evidence found in Afghanistan uncovered plans to attack the high-profile Space Needle along with other monuments in Washington State, including massive hydroelectric dams, like the Grand Coulee.
According to the NBC News report, plans were also found that targeted the Los Angeles International Airport for a second time. An earlier plot to bomb the airport was foiled two years ago when convicted terrorist Ahmed Ressam was arrested crossing the border into the U.S. at Port Angeles, Washington.
NBC News added U.S. officials report American troops in Afghanistan have recovered designs and diagrams that target U.S. nuclear power plants and water facilities and surveillance photos of U.S. monuments and landmarks.
One plot apparently included an attack on the U.S. mint in Philadelphia.
President Bush revealed the deadly terrorist plots during his State of the Union speech Tuesday night.
The Grand Coulee Dam holds back 421 billion cubic feet of water "We have seen the depth of our enemies' hatred in video where they laugh about the loss of innocent life. And the depth of their hatred is equaled by the madness of the destruction they design,” said Bush.
Algerian Ahmed Ressam, 34, was arrested in December of 1999 when he tried to cross the U.S-Canadian border at Port Angeles, Washington, with explosives in the trunk of his car. An investigation into his arrest uncovered a terrorist plot that targeted Los Angeles International Airport and implicated that the Space Needle as a potential target.
The incident incited a terrorism scare that prompted then Seattle Mayor Paul Schell to cancel the Space Needle New Years millennium celebrations at the Seattle Center, which drew as many as 40,000 people to its New Year's Eve party - one of the best turnouts ever.
After Ressam’s arrest, many questioned whether the Space Needle was a bonafide terrorist target. The evidence uncovered in Afghanistan now lends to some credence that the Space Needle was indeed a target.
Ressam was brought to trial and convicted in April of 2001. In an effort to reduce his 130-year prison term for his part in the terrorist plot, Ressam cooperated with authorities by providing crucial information about Zacarias Massaoui, the only person indicted in the September 11th attacks.
Ressam has told the FBI that he saw Moussaoui at a training camp they both attended a few years ago, the law enforcement official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, is charged with conspiracy to murder thousands in connection with the Sept. 11 attacks.
This goes back to the beginning of time. It's called sin, Ken. Plain and simple. It was absolutely hideous what they did and God forgive me, but I hope each person who planned this, is now dead in a cave. I pray for protection of our country, of our servicemen, ambassadors....you know what I'm saying.
You either believe in God or you don't. Those murderers did NOT.
they would say that they have the true god, allah. in fact, that's what they do say.
Not to mention those who are still among us here in this country. While the media is feeding on Enron.............!
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According to Harry W. Mazal, the exact text
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The Pastor's comments fit equally as well to any situation
where we turn our backs to those that are being singled out
with prejudice.
The continual comments in the of the mentality:
"..I'll profile and you check the grannies..."
are somewhat ridiculous.
When the terrorists are from Swedish heritage, do we begin
profiling all blond haired people? When the terrorists are from
Africa, will we permit all blacks to be interrogated at will?
"Profiling" is a dangerous tool in the hands of unchecked police power.
To open our Constitutional protections of our basic freedom so
willingly and blatantly, is to destroy all our rights in their entirety.
Wake up; understand Pastor Martin Niemöller's words.
Oh well. That's gonna be THEIR problem on Judgement Day, isn't it?
they would say that they have the true god, allah. in fact, that's what they do say.
Well, I say they're wrong. And guess what? Me and my fellow grannies aren't going to get our knitting needles together and go storm one of their mosques! No sirreeee...Now, you tell me, would you rather be on THIS side or theirs?
Gramma, the only way you could be correct is if you're saying that Islam doesn't deserve to be considered a religion. The murdering that's going on today is a continuation of muslim behavior across the centuries, beginning with that old caravan raider himself, Muhammed. In every place you find Islamic culture today (including it's homeland of Saudi Arabia) you'll find a history of violent takeover. To separate violence from Islam is to do violence to history.
Ken, your statement implies that most of the mayhem in the world is caused by religions - the old "more people have died in the name of religion than any other ..." blather. The only problem with that is that it's just not the truth. So what belief system IS responsible for more deaths than any other? Atheism. It's the fact, like it or not. The loses on both sides in the Crusades, PLUS the deaths in the inquisition, pale in comparison to the reign of terror of one Joseph Stalin. Add China and Cambodia, and you'll be squealing that it's not atheism, but politics, that is responsible. Funny you didn't think of that when you were blaming "religion".
Even though I live 120 miles from Grand Coulee if they should ever
blow it up our home would probably be 30 feet under water.
This is scary, but what would be even scarier is if they target the chemical depot
just across the border in Or. from where I live.
keep stalin, mao, hitler, the khmer rouge, ... to yourself. thanks.
I have SO much more to say....later, OK?
The US constitution was shaped far more by Christian influence than by Islam. We have freedom of religion here, and the mosques across the land are proof of that. Are you aware of the treatment of Christians in Islamic countries???
If the best you can throw at Christianity is the Crusades, your argument is weak indeed.
ok. have it your way.
if i say the moon is yellow, you say it is purple.
I'll do that as soon as you decide to keep your ignorant and offensive anti-religious statements to yourself. Thanks.
Most of us in Texas regard the border with Mexico to be impenetrable. I can't remember the last time I heard of someone illegally crossing the border.
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