Al Qaeda again threatens New York, Washington and Los Angeles

I bookmarked this thread the day it was posted and have followed it daily ever since. A WEALTH of info here, no doubt.

I know that some here discount Daleel but I don't brush him off so lightly. As has been stated more than once here, "Daleel" is most likely not one person but several. I can go along with that after having read all the posts at Yahoo! over the past several weeks. Some are ramblings that come across as a bunch of "hooey". Others come across as more ominous and some make my hair prickle for some reason, almost like picking up "vibes" or something. The post made on Dec. 19th was one of those. Putting that with the other posts made at other sites was enough to make me sit up and take more notice.

Tom Ridge's announcement this afternoon wasn't too much of a surprise due to what we've all seen here on this thread. Those of us who have followed the thread are probably the only folks NOT surprised.

Having seen several of the sites that the Feds are more than likely also watching, I can understand why the Gov't. has so much trouble deciding what's real and to be taken seriously, and what's not. They've been reluctant to raise the alert status to orange for a while now. Their raising it today makes me think that maybe my "hair prickling" wasn't so far off.

My thanks to all who have posted so many informative links here. (Gawd, you should see my Faves Files! LOL) Forewarned is fore armed and I'd be willing to bet that all who have been following this thread are the most informed group besides the Gov't.

My hope for everyone is that y'all stay safe and well through the Holidays. :-)

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=2707

Press Releases

Remarks by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 21, 2003

Today, The United States Government raised the national threat level from an Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack - or from Code Yellow to Code Orange.

We know from experience that the increased security that is implemented when we raise the threat level, along with increased vigilance, can help disrupt or deter terrorist attacks.

The U.S. Intelligence Community has received a substantial increase in the volume of threat related intelligence reports.

These credible sources suggest the possibility of attacks against the homeland around the holiday season and beyond.

The strategic indicators, including al-Qaida's continued desire to carry out attacks against our homeland, are perhaps greater now than at any point since September 11th.

Information indicates that extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will rival - or exceed - the scope and impact of those we experienced in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania more than two years ago.

Recent reporting reiterates that al-Qaida continues to consider using aircraft as a weapon. And they are evaluating procedures both here and abroad to find gaps in our security posture that can be exploited.

Our actions are directed against their efforts.

We have not raised the threat level in this country for six months - but we have raised it before.

Homeland security professionals at all levels of government and in the private sector are hard at work to increase security in your community, state and across the nation.

Americans should know that with this announcement comes action.

A specific plan is going into place as we speak. Most importantly, we are sharing appropriately specific information with those who need it and can act upon it.

Already, I have spoken to the nation's Governors, Homeland Security Advisors, Mayors, and other local officials and asked them to review the security measures they currently have in place, and to increase protections to thwart terrorist attacks.

And, they are doing so.

In addition, we have made calls to officials from states and major cities throughout the past week reminding them to be on heightened alert, and now I have called on them to increase their levels of security.

Leaders in the private sector that control resources critical to our country have also been contacted today, and provided with specific measures for them to take to protect those resources.

Where appropriate, we have also shared specific information with foreign countries to enlist their help in combating these terrorist threats.

All Federal departments and agencies are implementing action plans in response to the increase in the threat level.

We have enhanced security at our nation's airports and around other transportation systems and infrastructure.

We will re-deploy agents and other resources at our borders to meet the current threat. And, there will be more Coast Guard air and sea patrols off our shores, in our ports, and escorting ships.

Obviously, I will not outline all of the actions that are being taken to protect our citizens. We will not broadcast our plans to the terrorists.

But, extensive new protections have been or soon will be put in place all across the country.

I can assure you that your government will stand at the ready, twenty-four hours a day, to stop terrorism during this holiday season, and beyond.

In addition to knowing that homeland security professionals at all levels are working to keep our communities safe, we ask individual Americans to do a few additional things during this time of heightened alert.

I have said it before - and I am saying it again - homeland security begins at home. Never has that been more true.

Your awareness and vigilance can help tremendously, so please use your common sense and report suspicious packages, vehicles, or activities to local law enforcement.

Go over your family emergency plans, and if you haven't developed one already, do it now.

These kind of precautions are just good sense. And, I can tell you from personal experience that those of us who were affected during hurricane season were glad we had done some advance planning to prepare.

For those traveling during this holiday season, let me thank you in advance for putting up with some inconveniences.

As we learned at Thanksgiving, the additional security measures require some additional patience.

But we did a good job keeping things safe - and not too slow - at our airports and we believe that with your cooperation the same will be true in the coming days and weeks.

Finally - no matter your faith or culture - now is the time of year for important celebrations.

So, I encourage you to continue with your holiday plans. Gather with your family and friends and enjoy the spirit of this season.

There is no doubt that we have a lot to be thankful for - not the least of which the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world.

It is a country that will not be bent by terror. It is a country that will not be broken by fear. But instead, we are a country blessed with a population marked by goodwill and great resolve.

We will show the terrorists both this holiday season - goodwill toward our fellow men, readiness and resolve to protect our families and our freedom.

http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

This information is current as of today, Sun Dec 21 2003 15:11:59 GMT-0800.

WORLDWIDE CAUTION

December 21, 2003

This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated November 21, 2003. The text of that Caution is being reiterated below to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat that they may be targets of terrorist actions and to alert them to the raising of the Homeland Security threat level from Yellow (Elevated) to Orange (High). This Worldwide Caution expires on June 21, 2004.

The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. We are seeing increasing indications that Al-Qaida is preparing to strike U.S. interests abroad.

Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have struck in the Middle East in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , and in Europe in Istanbul , Turkey . We therefore assess that other geographic locations could be venues for the next round of attacks. We expect Al-Qaida will strive for new attacks designed to be more devastating than the September 11 attack, possibly involving nonconventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents. We also cannot rule out that Al-Qaida will attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U.S.

Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests, and threats to include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate .

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov . In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2 328.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1044517/posts

"U.S. raises terrorism threat level - Ridge: Possible attacks could rival 9/11"
CNN.Com / U.S. ^ | Sunday, December 21, 2003 Posted: 4:10 PM EST (2110 GMT) | CNN.Com

Posted on 12/21/2003 1:15:58 PM PST by Bobby777

Cindy, you are doing a great job posting your various "links"..thank you.

My best friend and her two daughters are leaving tomorrow for Rome. Her son is being ordained on Christmas Eve and they will be attending midnight mass at the Vatican.

Of course, I am very concerned about their safety..

sw

re post no. 2581...Thank you Radu and Christmas blessings to you.

re post no. 2585.

Thank you Spectre.

I will pray for your friend and her family.

Cindy

http://internet-haganah.us/harchives/001317.html

Internet Haganah
December 21, 2003

"alm2sda.com: back online
Pro-Qaida forum with extensive discussions regarding the global jihad."

I know one thing, Freeper's here have had warnings posted for weeks on this thread alone and months of threads here, I'd say the government and media is getting 'their' news from US!

I'd say these folks may know

Liz, I know from FR that we truly will be under threat until 3-1-03

Again if any real nuke is used by AlQ it will be in Saudi and the homemade nukes via cargo plane etc may be here at our nuke plant as stated long ago at FR

NJ, today convinced me the government definitely watches what we post here, that and the fact we've all contacted DHS, FBI etc. Freeper's are true Patriots! Thanks to all of you!!!

bump

As always Cindy great work and gratitude!

Tom Ridge's announcement this afternoon wasn't too much of a surprise due to what we've all seen here on this thread. Those of us who have followed the thread are probably the only folks NOT surprised

The way it is made light of as on the breaking thread today is why I posted this thread link on that thread, THIS is the forst place to come to for all info! Bump!

Tom Ridge's announcement this afternoon wasn't too much of a surprise due to what we've all seen here on this thread. Those of us who have followed the thread are probably the only folks NOT surprised

The way it is made light of as on the breaking thread today is why I posted this thread link on that thread, THIS is the first place to come to for all info! Bump!

Liz, I know from FR that we truly will be under threat until 3-1-03

I thought early February was the key time frame...

Have any of you folks visited the Global Islamic Media Yahoo group? There's some pretty disturbing info over there and on the links referred to in the postings. Most of it is in Arabic. There is a posting about assasination using bicycles, and another celebrating the destruction of the US. I'll try and translate later this evening or first thing tomorrow. I hope that our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are able to protect us. I've had that ominous feeling for over a month now, and I was really concerned there would be an attack within this country during the last few days of Ramadan. Thankfully, I was wrong. Right now so many things are going right for the US. We've caught Saddam. The economy has rebounded. And the way that Saddam surrendered without a shot should have every terrorist wannabe questioning why they should "martyr" themselves when one of their leaders crawled out of a hole begging not to be shot. I'm sure the bad guys are thinking they need a real morale boost. I hope and pray they do NOT get one. If we can get through the end of the year without something bad happening I'll feel much better. I keep remembering that back in February Bin Laden released a tape and claimed the following (article at http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/13/1044927730845.html):

"In this final year I hurl myself and my steed with my soul at the enemy. Indeed on my demise I will become a martyr," the al-Qaeda leader purportedly says. "I pray my demise isn't on a coffin bearing green mantles. I wish my demise to be in the eagle's belly," he continues.

That still has me uneasy. But I've been wrong before. I thought that someone would happen during Ramadan in the US. It didn't. I hope that I am wrong again.

If OBL ia going to do his big martyrdom-thingy before the end of the year and it has anything to do with the current chatter then this might help.

Islamic (Hijrah) Calendar.

Important Dates:

4 March 2003	Hijrah New Year
26 October 2003	Ramadan begins
25 November 2003	Eid al-Fitr
1 February 2004	Eid al-Adha

1424 H. Calendar:

Islamic Month	Gregorian Dates
Muharram	4 March - 2 April 2003
Safar	3 April - 1 May 2003
Rabia Awal	2 May - 31 May 2003
Rabia Thani	1 June - 30 June 2003
Jumaada Awal	1 July - 29 July 2003
Jumaada Thani	30 July - 27 Aug 2003
Rajab	28 Aug - 26 Sept 2003
Sha'ban	27 Sept - 25 Oct 2003
Ramadan	26 Oct - 24 Nov 2003
Shawwal	25 Nov - 23 Dec 2003
Dhul-Qi'dah	24 Dec 2003 - 22 Jan 2004
Dhul-Hijjah	23 Jan - 20 Feb 2004