Threat Matrix- Daily Terror Thread (4):

Homeland Security Information Network to Expand Collaboration, Connectivity for States and Major Cities

For Immediate Release
Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
February 24, 2004

The Department of Homeland Security, as part of its Homeland Security Information Network initiative, is expanding its computer-based counterterrorism communications network to all 50 states, five territories, Washington, D.C., and 50 other major urban areas to strengthen its two-way flow of threat information.

This communications system will deliver real-time interactive connectivity among state and local partners and with the DHS Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC) through the Joint Regional Information Exchange System (JRIES). Other DHS agencies participate through seats at the HSOC and their own operations centers, and the system will be further expanded within DHS operations. Each state and major urban area's Homeland Security Advisor and other points of contact will receive software licenses, technology, and training to participate in the information sharing and situational awareness that JRIES already brings to state and local homeland security personnel across the United States. Examples of other points of participation include state National Guard offices, Emergency Operations Centers, and first responder and Public Safety departments.

This increased connectivity will result in more effective communications and more efficient responses to deter, detect, prevent, or respond to terrorist actions. Information sharing to reduce vulnerabilities is an essential element of the Department's mission, and this real-time flow of encrypted information between homeland security partners will allow federal, state and local agencies to better perform their jobs of protecting America's hometowns.

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home6.jsp

Arab-Americans look to unseat Bush in November
Daily Star, Lebanese News ^ | February 25, 2004 | Robert Tuttle

Posted on 02/25/2004 2:09:56 AM CST by Cincinatus' Wife

WASHINGTON: In 2000, the Michigan-based Arab-American Political Action Committee (AAPAC), one of a handful of Arab-American PAC’s in the United States, endorsed George W. Bush for president. PACs are regulated committees that raise funds for political candidates and assist in their campaigning. Unlike many previous candidates, who had shunned or ignored Arab and Muslim voters, Bush campaigned actively for their support. He met with Arab and Muslim Americans, promised to include Arab-Americans in his administration and, in his second debate with Democratic nominee Al Gore, spoke of his opposition to the use of secret evidence, an important issue for Arab-Americans since the passing of the 1996 Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act pertaining to the deportation of foreigners accused of engaging in terrorist activity.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085006/posts

This is not good, leaving CA vulnerable. If FR went down to this storm and we didn't see this, could you imagine our panic?!

PG&E Preps For Biggest Storm of Season [Northern/Central CA]
kron4 ^ | February 24, 2004 at 5:25 p.m.

Posted on 02/24/2004 11:45:41 PM CST by vikingchick

SAN FRANCISCO -- According to meteorologists, the most powerful winter storm of the season is forecast to bring heavy rain and high winds to northern and central California, beginning early Wednesday morning and continuing through Thursday evening.

At its most intense period, the storm is expected to carry winds gusting between 50 - 70 mph for six to eight hours. The sustained winds are expected to impact all of PG&E's service area - which stretches from Bakersfield to near the Oregon border. This storm is also expected to deliver between 1 and 3 inches of precipitation, depending on the area. These winds will diminish slightly by late Wednesday, but still remain strong through Thursday evening.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1084950/posts

Weather Channel

West
A powerful Pacific storm will sweep into California today resulting in high winds, heavy rain and, in the mountains, significant snow. High wind warnings and watches already are posted for much of California and southern Oregon, and winter storm warnings are posted for the Northern California Mountains and Sierras. Snow levels will be rising during the day, however, probably ending up around 4500 feet in Northern California and near 7000 feet in the southern Sierras. Showers, mountain snows and strong winds will extend northward into the Pacific Northwest and, by late in the day, eastward into Nevada and Idaho. Rain will reach the Los Angeles basin later in the day and some significant rainfall totals are expected in that region, especially in the surrounding mountains. The Southwest will remain warm and sunny, at least for one more day.

Al Qaeda plans 'revisit' to White House, Capitol
Washington Times ^ | 2/25/04 | Bill Gertz

Posted on 02/24/2004 11:38:14 PM CST by kattracks

The al Qaeda terrorist group still is planning to attack the White House and Congress — targets the group missed on September 11 — and a growing extremist Muslim movement is threatening the United States, the directors of the FBI and CIA told Congress yesterday.
"There are strong indications that al Qaeda will revisit missed targets until they succeed, such as they did with the World Trade Center," FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. "And the list of missed targets now includes both the White House as well as the Capitol."
Mr. Mueller said al Qaeda is seeking to obtain nuclear, chemical and biological weapons for attacks on targets that also include transportation systems, such as subways, bridges in major cities and airliners.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1084942/posts

NEWS - RECAP - UPDATES:

TOWNHALL.com: "HOLLYWOOD'S DEATH ROW FETISH" -Column by Michelle Malkin (February 25, 2004) (Read More...)

YUMA SUN.com: "AGENTS FIRED ON DURING CAPTURE" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "One or more shooters remained on the loose in Mexico Monday after firing on Border Patrol agents who had intercepted a load of illegal aliens being ferried across the Colorado River on an inflatable raft.") (February 24, 2004) (Read More...)

AZSTARNET.com - THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR: "GUNFIRE PINS DOWN COPS AT BORDER" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: " Police and federal agents were trapped Tuesday morning five miles east of the Naco port of entry by gunfire from men believed to be Mexican drug dealers, officials said.") (February 19, 2004) (Read More...)

THESTAR.com - THE TORONTO STAR: "MISSING KHADR EMERGES" by Michelle Shephard (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Abdullah Khadr, said by the Taliban to be the suicide bomber who killed a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan, has contacted his younger brother in Toronto. Abdurahman Khadr said he received a call last week on his cellphone from his brother Abdullah, who told him he hadn't had access to a computer or telephone for weeks and didn't know he was being investigated in connection with the attack.) (February 25, 2004) (Read More...)

GOOGLE Search Term: "ABDULLAH KHADR" (Read More...)

THESTAR.com - THE TORONTO STAR: "EGYPT RELEASES TORONTO MAN" (February 25, 2004) (Read More...)

HONOLULU ADVERTISER.com: "SIGHTING OF DIVER IN HARBOR PROMPTS INVESTIGATION" by Rod Ohira (February 24, 2004) (Read More...)

HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN.com: "DIVER IN WATER PROMPTS WIDESPREAD SEARCH" (February 24, 2004) (Read More...)

FOX NEWS.com (AP): "FBI, CIA HEADS OUTLINE WORLDWIDE TERRORISM THREAT" (February 24, 2004) (Read More...)

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT - Public Announcement - Office of the Spokesperson: "WORLDWIDE CAUTION" (January 9, 2004) (Read More...)

WASHINGTON TIMES.com: "OUTBREAK POINTS OUT VULNERABILITY OF U.S. FOOD SUPPLY" by Jeffrey Sparshott (February 24, 2004) (Read More...)

FBI.gov - Press Release: "RICIN LETTER" (February 23, 2004) (Read More...)

INSIGHT On The News online - Special Report: "SAFFURI'S TIES TO TERROR SUSPECTS" by Kenneth R. Timmerman (February 23, 2004) (Read More...)

GOOGLE Search Term: "SAFFURI" (Read More...)

stepping back in time...INSIGHT On The News online: "EXCLUSIVE: CONTROVERSIAL PROFESSOR ARRESTED IN FLORIDA WAS WHITE HOUSE GUEST" by Kenneth R. Timmerman (Posted February 21, 2003)

GOOGLE Search Term: "AL-ARIAN" (Read More...)

FRONT PAGE MAGAZINE.com: "FLORIDA ATLANTIC TERROR UNIVERSITY" -Column by Joe Kaufman (February 19, 2004) (Read More...)

WTOP.com (AP): "CALLS TO ARSON TIP LINE JUMP AFTER PHOTO" by Derrill Holly (February 19, 2004) (Read More...)

NBC4COLUMBUS.com: "SERIAL SHOOTINGS" (Continuing Coverage) (Read More...)

FBI.gov: "SEEKING INFORMATION Erie, Pennsylvania Bank Robbery"

FBI.gov - War On Terrorism: "SEEKING INFORMATION" (Read More...)

FBI.gov: "MOST WANTED TERRORISTS" (Read More...)

english.ALJAZEERA.net: "AL-QAIDA LEADER WARNS OF NEW ATTACKS" (February 24, 2004) (Read More...)

On The Net...CIHAD.net: "MUCAHIDLERDEN YALANLAMA"

On The Net...ISLAM MEMO.cc - News - News Item No.25688

JIHAD WATCH.org: "TALIBAN CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR FATAL ATTACK ON AMERICAN RECONSTRUCTION TEAM" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The Taliban is attempting to keep the jihad alive in Afghanistan by murdering construction workers. The focus on non-combatants accord with the provisions of Islamic law that forbid killing them unless they are considered to be aiding the war effort. This is used to justify bombings on buses in Israel, and by Osama for his attacks in the U.S. From the Guardian:") (February 23, 2004) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Dispatch Series - No. 666: "CONTROVERSY IN THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY OVER THE TRIAL OF FOUR SUSPECTS IN ATTACK ON U.S. CONVOY" (February 24, 2004) (Read More...)

An Interesting Discussion on FREEREPUBLIC.com: "ANOTHER BOMBED BUS IN ISRAEL" (February 21, 2004) (Read More...)

AGAPE PRESS.org: "FORMER PALESTINIAN TERRORIST FINDS FIRM GROUND IN JESUS" by Fred Jackson (February 20, 2004) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Inquiry and Analysis Series - No. 164: "THE SADDAM OIL VOUCHERS AFFAIR" by Dr. Mimrod Raphaeli" (February 20, 2004) (Read More...)

WEEKLY STANDARD.com: "SADDAM'S AMBASSADOR TO AL QAEDA From the March 1, 2004 Issue: An Iraqi Prisoner Details Saddam's Links to Osama bin Laden's Terror Network" by Jonathan Schanzer, Issue 24 dated March 1, 2004 (Read More...)

NEW ZEALAND HERALD.co.nz: "SIS SUMMARY OF ALLEGATIONS AGAINST AHMED ZAOUI The Following Document from the Director of New Zealand's Security & Intelligence Service was Released by Ahmed Zaoui's Lawyers on 20 Feb 2004:" (Read More...)

GOOGLE Search Term: "AHMED ZAOUI" (Read More...)

REWARDS FOR JUSTICE.net: "WANTED - ABU MUS'AB AL-ZARQAWI - UP TO $10 MILLION REWARD" (View Photos and Read More Here...)

WASHINGTON TIMES.com (UPI): "TERRORISTS PREPPED FOR A LONG CONFLICT" by Anwar Iqbal, UPI (February 14, 2004) (Read More...)

CPA-IRAQ.org - COALITON PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY: "TEXT FROM ABU MUS'AB AL-ZARQAWI LETTER" (February 12, 2004) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Dispatch Series No. 664: "THE MUFTI OF AUSTRALIA CALLS FOR JIHAD; 'AUSTRALIA WAS DISCOVERED BY AFGHAN MUSLIMS'" (February 18, 2004) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (SUN-HERALD): "AUSTRALIA: TERRORIST SUSPECT ENJOYS FREE REIN" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "From the Sun-Herald, with thanks to Jean-Luc: A week after a Pakistani-born man was named publicly as a terror suspect he is still free, walking the streets of Sydney. And it is almost four months since anti-terror forces searched the man's home in south-western Sydney, along with those of six others who were identified as key associates of terror suspect Willy Brigitte, who is in a French jail cell.But despite accusations that the man, named as Abu Hamza, was part of a group allegedly planning a terror attack in Sydney, police are powerless to put him behind bars. The Federal Government says it cannot detain him as he has not broken any law.") (February 16, 2004) (Read More...)

AFTENPOSTEN.no - Search Term: "KREKAR" (Mullah Krekar) (Read More...)

As if we don't have enough problems. The source for the following excerpts is at the bottom of my post. See if you can guess where this speech came from before looking at the source.

"I would like to join in welcoming everyone this morning. What a beautiful turnout from all corners of our country. The overwhelming response to this conference reflects a growing determination that it is both necessary and possible to deliver a resounding defeat to the Bush administration on November 2. The hard work of the Political Action Commission and the Organizing Department, under direction of the National Board, has made this day possible."

"This election is an ideological battle for hearts and minds. In the next nine months, the Bush administration will raise and spend a record $300 million to convince working people that their interests are the same as the interests of Wall Street. They will engage in tactics to pit one group against the other as a smokescreen cover up of their own responsibility for insecurity, inequality, pain and suffering."

"Ohio AFL-CIO president William Burga says it plain, that the defeat of George Bush is necessary to stand up to "an increasing selfishness and individualist tendency, increasingly conservative and an over-ripe, nearly rotten, capitalist society and culture."

"A major contribution of our Party, and the goal of this conference, is to raise the ability to forge unity of purpose and action, and in so-doing increase the size of our Party to build a movement strong enough to change the priorities of this country toward "people before profits".

"Our approach to the primaries has been based on building unity by:* keeping the fire on the Bush administration and staying on the issues* not getting boxed into any one primary campaign, while at the same time building support for the most advanced in the field* encouraging the maximum labor representation at the Democratic National Convention no matter which candidate that union has endorsed."

"Join because you are angry at the system, and want to be the most effective fighter to change it."

Author: Joelle Fishman, Chair, Political Action Committee, CPUSA(COMMUNIST PARTY USA)

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