In Overheard Calls, Terrorists Spoke of Major Attack, Officials Say

New York Times ^ | 11/02/01 | JAMES RISEN and DAVID JOHNSTON

[mercy]

GET THESE MUTHER EFFING RAG HEADS OUTA MY COUNTRY. I DON'T CARE HOW GREAT PRESIDENT BUSH IS. IF HE LETS THESE ISLAMIST BASTARDS RUN AROUND THIS COUNTRY KILLING MORE AMERICANS MUCH LONGER I WILL ACTIVELY WORK FOR THE ELECTION OF ANY DEMOCRAT WHO RUNS AGAINST HIM. ANY DEMOCRAT. I WILL MAKE IT MY PERSONAL CAUSE IN LIFE TO SEND HIM HOME TO DADDY!!!!

[Ironword]

Question 1: Who / where are these various people who are communicating who supposedly know of the imminent attack(s)?

Question 2: Why don't we grab them in the night, and ask them politely (or otherwise) what is planned?

[mombonn]

Stay safe, FReeper FRiends.

[jbstrick]

I believe these calls were intercepted in foreign lands. I believe the calls originated in Afghanistan to Argentina and Columbia

[hinckley buzzard]

With proper attention to human intelligence resources over the last decade, we would have these weasels infiltrated and not have to rely on intercepts of signal communication.

Let's hope the lesson is learned, once and for all.

[jbstrick]

You are absolutely correct HUMINT is better than SIGINT

[habs4ever]

It was reported that the calls originated in Toronto, went to Afghanistan, and emails were sent from a public library computer, and code words were used that got intercepted by the NSC and passed on to the RCMP and later the FBI.This came from a Toronto newspaper today.

[patriciaruth]

Ah, the joys of living in a target rich environment.

Meanwhile, how do you all vote on whether we should
A. Send some bunker busters into the caves and probably kill bin Laden without much American loss of life, but never know for sure,
or
B. Send the Special Forces into the handful of caves we are down to into hand to hand battles against bin Laden's most loyal defenders and into tunnels that are most likely bobby trapped. We would have to trade an uncertain number of good American lives to bring back the head of bin Laden. However, it would prove he was gone, and would give a shot in the arm and a definitive victory to our side.

What is the Muslim reaction to a dead bin Laden? Make them more upset and make him a martyr? Or take some of the wind out of their sails?

[Ironword]

I believe the calls originated in Afghanistan to Argentina and Columbia

Well, should we not get nominal approval / assistance from the governments of Argentina and Columbia to lay hands on the communicators?

[anniegetyourgun]

Wait a minute - this recent alert was said by the administration to be based on "human intelligence" - not electronic surveillance. Am I the only one who heard that?

[jbstrick]

Definitely Target rich. I live 3 miles from a refinery that produces an enorbous amount of JP4 and gasoline.

[patriciaruth]

ANY DEMOCRAT

Hillary?

[RaceBannon]

Bring him back dead. No other way.

[Ironword]

It was reported that the calls originated in Toronto, went to Afghanistan, and emails were sent from a public library computer, and code words were used that got intercepted by the NSC and passed on to the RCMP and later the FBI.

Interesting. Now, if the calls / e-mails can be traced to individuals, should we not lay hands on them in Canada?

[Aria]

I vote for A. We'll eventually find out if we got him by his absence and won't have paid a huge price for his demise. I think he is less able to be a hero to his followers if his fate is unknown. His head on a platter would be a cause celebe for the barbarians who believe in him.

[sinkspur]

I WILL ACTIVELY WORK FOR THE ELECTION OF ANY DEMOCRAT WHO RUNS AGAINST HIM. ANY DEMOCRAT. I WILL MAKE IT MY PERSONAL CAUSE IN LIFE TO SEND HIM HOME TO DADDY!!!!

Formerly a rational FR poster, you've gone off the deep end since 9/11. You've turned into nothing but an emotional nerve ending.

Emotions are worthless in a war.

[patriciaruth]

So, we have one vote for a head count.

[patriciaruth]

And one vote for in absentia.