I recall seeing an FR thread with a comparison of one of the 9/11 hijackers or post 9/11 suspects that was a better match to JD2 than Padilla.
Keep in mind, Padilla converted to Islam in 1993 and the OKC bombing was in 1995. With the planning time necessary, how likely is it that Al Qaeda would entrust a newbie with the one largest terrorist bombings ever attempted to that point?
At this point, because he had assess in and out of this country becasuse of his citizenship he was definately useful to Al Queda.
We can no longer think logically, we have to be able to become devious thinkers. If and when dealing with terrorists, one must think as the terrorist.
Actually, very likely. It is AlQueda's (and Iraqs) style to leave someone holding the bag, (as in WTC...) without sacrificing the true talent behind the mission, this would be true in 9/11 as well, as Mohammed Atta, aside from being described as the mastermind, could not possibly have been. He does not seem sophisticated enough to have masterminded a 3 am bodega holdup in harlem. (witness the incedent with him and the USDA woman....).