Ashcroft Got 'Em !!! Mag: A U.S.-Based Al Qaeda 'Sleeper Cell' Was Poised to Launch a Post-Sept. 11

Drudge/Newsweek ^ | Dec 9, 2001

[The Raven]

A U.S.-Based Al Qaeda 'Sleeper Cell' Was Poised to Launch a Post-Sept. 11 Attack on a Major Washington Target; Would-Be Terrorists Went Underground or Fled U.S.

NEW YORK, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- A U.S.-based cell of the Al Qaeda terror network nearly launched an attack on a major target in Washington, D.C. after September 11, Newsweek has learned. Intelligence sources say a Qaeda "sleeper cell" in the U.S. was poised to launch the attack -- perhaps against the Capitol Building. The sources believe that the FBI, in its sweep against visa violators and other illegals of Mideast backgrounds, picked up ...

[alnick]

Who says bin Laden did it?

Bin Laden, for one.

[Neanderthal]

First time I've seen Newsweek call them "illegals," rather than "undocumented visitors."

I thought they always called them just plain "immigrants."

[Demidog]

LOL. Is he your homey or Himey?

[Demidog]

bin Laden does not and has never said he was responsible for the attacks. I suggest you read the transcripts of his statement.

[Demidog]

They conclude that they stopped a plan. This is convenient. They won't share the details of this alleged plan but claim that they picked up some guys whom they haven't charged with anything. If their information was credible, they could charge them with conspiracy to commit murder. The whole thing is hogwash.

[Buckeroo]

BUMP.... very rare, I might add.

[Demidog]

If you have evidence that any Middle-Easterners currently being held are American citizens, produce it.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/586529/posts

There's two. They aren't "currently" being held but were for 67 days for the heinous crime of having a cracked laminate on one of their American passports.

Do keep talking about "ragheads." It shows everyone what kind of neanderthal you really are.

[Demidog]

I would prefer that if you have some evidence that one of my fellow citizens (or "muslim pals" as you call them) have committed a crime before you hold them in jail indefinitely.

It's that whole constitution thing.

[Walkin Man]

I certainly hope no racial profiling was used to expose this terrorist cell or there will be hell to pay!

[ladyinred]

I don't find this article full of almosts and maybes in the least. It is simply telling us what the sources say happened. A lot of it is still classified, some is being revealed.
It makes perfect sense to me, and instead of debunking it so easily, I will say thank goodness they thwarted a possible second wave of attacks, and it is too darn bad Congress wouldn't let them hold the terrorists indefinately while they put the pieces together. This is why they asked for that ability.These people are not citizens, and they had to turn them loose before they got all of the facts.

[Demidog]

They didn't put laminate on their passports.....on the other hand....are you being facetious and it just went over my head? :)

[Demidog]

You're really stretching. Show me the law that says you cannot have laminate on your passport. Also show me the article or evidence of the rest of your claims about the prior arrest.

[Sabertooth]

"They haven't prevented a thing and they certainly won't do it using "immigration charges.""

So I guess the one I told you about at #27 is either totally made up, or the only one that's happened.

Let me ask you something... do you think bin Laden shot his wad on September 11th? If so, what was the point?

Does it seem likely that he wanted a war with America, and used everything he had all at once? Or is it more likely that he held some things in reserve for the second round?

And if so, what could that be besides a few anthrax letters and maybe a jetliner out of New York?

You don't think it's possible that any of these people being held have been prevented from attacks they had planned?

[Demidog]

How do you know bin Laden has anything at all to do with this? He hasn't claimed responsibility and our government has not released a single verifiable fact tying him to the attacks.

Tony Blair wrote a white paper (or had some flunky do it).

It contains no evidence. It merely says that the U.S. "concludes" that bin Laden was responsible. So if he's lying, the U.S. doesn't ever have to show us any real evidence and can also claim that Blair was over-stating their conclusions if they have to.

I'm glad to see you patriotic types never question your government. You'll always be happy with the government you receive.

[Sabertooth]

I'm glad to see you patriotic types never question your government.

The fact that I believe bin Laden is responsible for 9/11 hardly means I never question my government.

[floriduh voter]

There was a thread here earlier that has a link to the names and locations of 93 of the alien detainees. The 93 being held are listed by state and I can't remember if it says what charges they are being held on. The states that had the most listed at this point were Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As far as what we are being told, we can speculate all day long here. I'm just glad that nothing else unbelievably horrific has happened again. But, I am fully aware this isn't over, not in Afghan and not in the US.

I trust the team - being cynical is such a waste of energy. Sarcasm I can live with, but cynicism just makes me think of Tom Dashcle. I suppose you're a big fan of his. He's the biggest whiner in the beltway.