Count me in on that one!!! I'll bring a bottle of fine scotch. My girlfriend just got me to quit (marlboro lights), but if this is the big one, In the words of Merle Travis and Tex Williams:
"Tell Saint Peter at the Golden Gate
That I hate to make him wait
But I just gotta have another cigarette"
FBI, DHS Warn of Possible Subway, Rail Attacks
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,109776,00.html Wednesday, January 28, 2004
FBI, DHS Warn of Possible Subway, Rail Attacks
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
WASHINGTON — There is a continuing terrorist threat against U.S. subways and railways, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (search) said in a bulletin sent to law enforcement agencies Wednesday.
"Recent intelligence indicates a continued terrorist interest in conducting attacks on U.S. subways and railways," the bulletin said. "Although the FBI possesses no information indicating a specific threat to subways and rail systems in the United States, the potential for an attack cannot be ruled out."
The FBI and DHS mention in the bulletin that Usama bin Laden's Al Qaeda (search) terror network has had a long-standing fascination with the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.
"An attack on a subway or rail system could cause substantial loss of life, and would have an adverse impact on public confidence, resulting in massive economic loss," the bulletin said.
Sarin (search) is most known for the March 1995 terrorist attack by the Aum Shinrikyo (search) religious cult, when members released the gas at several points in the Tokyo subway system, killing 11 and injuring more than 5,500. The perpetrators left punctured packages of liquid sarin in subway cars and stations, which gave officials time to seal off the affected areas.
The bulletin describes possible attack scenarios, such as train derailment, trackside bombs and chemical or biological attacks.
"Public rail transportation is highly accessible, making critical assets such as signal boxes and communication lines vulnerable and difficult to protect against attack," according to the bulletin. "Passenger railcars, subways and underground transfer stations with large numbers of people in confined spaces represent potentially attractive targets for terrorists."
The FBI and DHS said that timetable and operating schedules are publicly available and therefore accessible by terrorists.
"Internet sites provide information regarding the location of critical rail assets for train command and control," the agencies said.
"U.S. rail and subway systems play a vital role in urban public transportation and freight movement, carrying considerable economic resources. Attacks on rail systems require less planning, training and materials than attacks against large passenger aircraft or cruise ships, potentially increasing their attractiveness to a diminished Al Qaeda."
The FBI warned law enforcement and security personnel to remain vigilant to potential pre-operational planning and for any attempts by individuals to bring explosives or chemical devices on a rail or subway system.
LOL. I had just the opposite reaction. Plan to up my workout time, prayer time and repent some more. :)
Hate to admit it....but I am a "closet smoker" and wine drinker. I'm heading to Albertson's in the morning to stock up for the coming week. If something heavy is coming down, I want to be ready. Will also make a side trip to "Sam's" for canned vegies, fruit, flour, cornmeal, canned milk, etc. Just like I did for Y2K. (we finally got rid of all the Spam!) We live high in the Black Hills, have our own well, generator, lots of wild life (and guns to accommodate them) Also a CB radio. Hope we're ready for whatever may happen, even if it doesn't happen. We can never be too prepared. Thanks to NW Arizona Granny, I even bought some Lavendar Essential Oil...not quite sure what to do with it yet. But, just smelling it makes me feel really good.