[GWfan]

I think you are exactly right. Why would they use a Hazmat truck when they can use everyday materials and an inconspicuous truck?

One of my hubby's degrees is in hazmat. He told me that there are a lot less obvious ways to hurt the US than to hijack a hazmat truck or to try to use a crop dusting plane.

[aculeus]

Why would they use a Hazmat truck when they can use everyday materials and an inconspicuous truck?

Aren't Hazmat trucks especially examined before entering major tunnels and bridges?

One of the objectives of the original WTC bombing was to blow up NYC's major tunnels.

Admittedly I haven't put all the pieces together but these people are (were?) planning another "something" very nasty and clearly wanted Hazmat credentials and trucks.

[piasa]

That's very true. They've already done their spectacular stuff- now they can get down and dirty in thousands of different ways, like they do in Israel. If they want to use explosives, they could fill up a school bus because no one would think of searching one of those. Cement trucks, you name it. Toxins thrown into sink holes down here in FL would make their way into the water supply- but you'd have to use a lot of the stuff to get the dose up. Small numerous explosions or armed attacks would be sufficient to provoke the kind of crackdowns they want.