they should stop "ranking" these threats. of course, the most recent one is always the "worst since 9-11". because the last time they used that phrase, and nothing materialized, that warning couldn't have been so bad (with 20/20 hindsight). so the next one now has to be "the worst".
all I am saying is that continued use of that phrase plays into the "cry wolf" mantra, that many of the sheeple subscribe to.
I was able to get back here and my breath was nearly taken away by Mossad’s post. I was in a similar situation in Germany once (please don’t ask for details). Let me summarize the way things are fleshing out to date (and please add if I’ve missed anything).
1. If AQ threats bear out - Italy and England will get hit 1st, then US.
2. Three month truce period for Europe ends Jul 11-15 depending on the calendar system used.
NOTE on 1&2 - If I read correctly the NEIN(?) analysis suggested that the threat letter/message did not follow the common pattern - Some one please confirm. If so greater doubt arises for these dates
3. The threat is for something big, devastating to hit US. This has been a common theme, with significant discourse on whether AQ has small nukes or the capability to deploy them. General scientific consensus is that it is unlikely that they have any. However, a dirty bomb is not out of the question - mass panic as a goal.
4. Gov't official travel plans have been altered. Trip to Israel canceled
5. Security has been heightened in specific cities - NYC, Philly, Seattle, LA
5a Suspected targeted regions - Michigan and Wisconsin
6. The fleet and F117s are deployed. However, their deployment appears to have been planned to a certain extent. May be a coincidence.
7. Islamist chatter on the 'net warns of getting to safe areas, 30 day supplies of food/water. Uncertain reliability of the sources - could be psyops to get us freaked, knowing that others like us monitor them. However, if nukes were to be used, such a preparation would be common sense.
8. Trains and buses searched - Significant development in east coast towns.
9. Seaports and those many crossing over our borders in the news. Ports are getting a lot more security scrutiny. Diving teams are activily looking for mines, Coast Guard turing away ships as necessary.
10. Dept of Homeland Scty has held a briefing to the public as well as to Congress. Sen Tommy Dachel says that the report (classified) is very serious and could not conceive it being used for political purposes. Very concerning that the Minority leader would make such a statement in the midst of a heated campaign season.
11. Agencies of the government bureaucracy are rumored to be on alert footing (Mossad post). One TM post confirming that the source is relatively reliable.
12. No alerts noted at military facilities. Probably will be none until we go RED.
Precursor attacks in Italy and England. The single most significant and symbolic target would be the Vatican. England would probably be parliament and/or buckingham palace. Our friends there could ID other Sunday targets of interest. As noted in Calpernias anthrax post, mass casualties may not be as necessary as mass panic.
As we are hours away from dawn, Jul 11 in Europe, I’m praying that we are reading too much into this and that our friends and allies remain safe. May God grant His grace upon us one more time.
i UNDERSTAND your reasonable perspective.
I do suspect that there are differences in contingencies, evidence, intel which MAY WELL MEAN MORE STARTLING, AWESOME possibilities each time.
One would HOPE that their data collection improved with time.
One could reasonably assume that terrorist activity was worsening, building up over time.
What phrases would you suggest?
How would you warn responsibly yet avoid the 'cry wolf' thing?