Posted on 08/09/2002 9:13:15 AM PDT by doug from upland
TRUCK AND CAR BOMB THREATS, TRAFFIC PATTERNS TO CHANGE IN MAJOR CITIES AND AROUND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
BY NICHOLAS E. ASHTON
The AP Wire is reporting that the Secret Service, fearing the possibility of truck bombs, is banning trucks and all street parking on several blocks that run alongside and around the White House complex.
Beginning at 6 a.m. EDT today, eight blocks of downtown Washington's 17th Street - between H Street and Constitution - will be closed to trucks, said Secret Service spokesman John Gill. Also, on the four blocks closest to the White House, Gill said, "No parking, no stopping, no standing."
Gill described the change as a "regular adjustment to security measures" around the White House and said it was not a response to any specific threat. The changes are designed to protect the White House from the kind of large-scale explosives that could be packed into a truck, he said. "The measures we're putting into place here are meant to reduce the size of a charge from any explosive-laden vehicle."
The parking ban is limited to the area that borders the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where most White House aides have their offices.
Parking will still be allowed closer to Constitution Avenue, another major capital thoroughfare, so souvenir, T-shirt and hot dog vendors who sell from trucks typically parked in that area will not be affected, Gill said.
He emphasized that the Secret Service consulted with White House and District of Columbia officials before deciding on the stricter security. But the district's nonvoting House delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton, said Thursday's announcement was a surprise to her. She said the new traffic restrictions were "thoughtless and inconsiderate" and would hurt businesses.
Doesn’t Ms. Norton understand the threat against this nation? Where has she been the last 11 months? Her comment of “Thoughtless and inconsiderate” shows the total lack of understanding of what is going on in this nation. We have only caught two of the terrorists on the FBI “Wanted List”, the rest are at large and ready to attack at any time. Credible threats and the use of the bomb are out there and as it is so quiet, no activity on American shores, every day that goes by, the risk of an attack increases.
It is not only the Secret Service that needs to review, everyone does. You must know the type of traffic that is parking, passing and unloading around and in front of your building. It may not be your company the terrorist is after to make his message loud and clear. Who are your neighbors and are they high profile? Collateral damage can be just as bad and devastating.
SSAF International Ltd. has been stating and advising since 9/11, that the bomb will be the weapon of choice, it is in-expensive to manufacture and to the terrorist, cost effective in sending out its message of hatred. This is not the time to procrastinate on installing bomb blast protection. If you have glass in your building, and who doesn’t, then your responsibility of your Duty of Care is a priority. You have the element the terrorist needs for his bomb to be more effective, the blast wave shatters the glass into large and small glass shards that are additional deadly shrapnel to metal laden bomb. Don’t add to the death and destruction!
John Walsh, “America’s Most Wanted” stated last night on “Larry King Live”, that the suicide bomber is in this country waiting to explode his bomb in many locations, even Union Station. It is time to start to understand that these people hate us to death and will use any means to kill Americans. It is not going away; in fact the risk is increasing daily. You can’t wait!
This is time to review your security requirements, no matter what size your corporation is, the threat is equal and your responsibility is just as important. SSAF International Ltd. has over thirty years of protecting and saving lives under the greatest of threats and has amassed the intelligence and contacts to know not to cry wolf.
It is up to you to make a sensible decision to protect your staff, clients and your investment. Your building is like an egg, to the developing chick inside that shell is vital, growth and final fruition of birth is protected, just like the outer skin of your building, you need it to maintain daily business and attain your targets and profits to pay the bills. If your building is the recipient of a bomb blast and the blast waves get inside the building, then the shell is gone and massive damage and possible death occurs. NO shell, means no way to pay the bills!
This is an important time to consider security requirements, once the bombs start, it will be too late. The same scenario played out in the 1970’s and the 1990’s when the IRA attacked London. It was sheer panic! Not so professional companies purported to be security experts, sold less than effective protection. You can’t afford to play with people’s lives. Do you have time on your side? Can you be sure of that?
Doesn’t Ms. Norton understand the threat against this nation? Where has she been the last 11 months? Her comment of “Thoughtless and inconsiderate” shows the total lack of understanding of what is going on in this nation.
The author of this article is an idiot. How about we just shut down three or four blocks around every government building in every city and surround the area with razor wire.
Or we could just require all people to pass through a checkpoint on their way into any major city.
I don't see a big problem with the article itself but you probably should have disclosed you work for them.
Love your song parodies
Anyone can just walk into an airport terminal and start shooting... Doesn't THAT concern you? Oh, wait, that already happened.
As far as the SUV/bomb/terminal question, what do you propose? Setting up a site several miles away from the airport itself, where passengers are strip and body cavity searched and their luggage searched and repackaged in transparent plastic containers, then loading them all onto secured trucks for the trip to the airport itself?
Someone will just bomb the collection point, then.
Every time we even consider something like this, then the terrorists sworn to destroy the American Way Of Life have won a battle. Transforming America into a prison is not the answer to terrorism. Destroying the terrorists in their caves and hidey-holes, whether by aerial bombardment or an agent's silenced .22, is the answer.
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As a very big supporter of the 2nd Amendment, your comment puzzles me. Did I take them? Can I give them back? Gee, I must have powers of which I am unaware. On the second note, the prison camp comment can only be given one response --- what a stupid comment.
For those who don't get it, things have changed since 9-11. We are going to have to be more aware and we are going to have to harden our buildings. I hope that is not too difficult to understand.
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