[Robert357]

Osama bin Laden covertly owns a shipping fleet

I almost missed this and find it truly significant.

OK, now we know why all the concern over port security and cargo screening to US ports. This also probably explains the concern over blowing up/running into major US bridges (i.e. Golden Gate, etc.) Yes, just like a jet liner, a cargo vessel could be run at full speed into something. Yes, just like a truck bomb that was used in the first WTC bombing a cargo ship could be loaded with explosives and moved next to something it shouldn't be near and detonated. Yes, a cargo vessel could serve as a delivery system for scuba divers with explosives. Yes, a cargo vessel could be used to run into another ship crowded with people.

As time goes on, I think we will better understand why our government leaders are so concerned about the potential for harm that they have declared war on terrorism. I would like to see Congress pass a declaration of war!

[Robert357]

There is another interesting post today about a Panamanian flagged vessel and a missing shipment of AK-47's

Story about how cargo container of AK-47 disappearing and ship was later abandoned

[Veggie Todd]

And we're inspecting only 2% of the inbound cargo? What's wrong with this picture?

[agrandis]

I wonder why ships would be needed to "supply equipment" for the bombings of the embassies in Africa. Seems a little strange, to me, that "equipment" that could be put into a semi truck (or a van, FTM) would be shipped by a shipping company to Africa. I have a hard time believing that statement in the article, and it makes the statement that we know Ben Laden has a fleet suspect, as well.

In a related matter, if Ben Laden, and thirty of his top aides, were killed today, would the threat of Islamic terrorism be practically diminished at all? I say, "no."

[anniegetyourgun]

Hhmmm, fly planes into buildings - run floating bombs into harbors.....

[areafiftyone]

That stinks. New York Harbor is sooo vunerable too.

[PsyOp]

We could start with a ban on all Liberian flagged ships in U.S. Harbors.

[mhking]

I would like to see Congress pass a declaration of war!

Against whom!? What do we do, declare war against an individual? Against a firm? Against an organization?

It isn't that easy! We're living in a science-fiction/spy/mystery novel now, kids. One of those "far, future" worlds where multinational firms or insanely rich people are able to control vast resources against nation-states...and are able to mount a pretty decent battle, simply because their disciples do not wear the battle uniform of any one nation. They are everywhere and nowhere.

How do you declare war against that?!?

Don't get me wrong, I think we need to take the war to their doorsteps, and that means cutting off support and aid to Pakistan, and stomping on Musharraf and all the assorted warlords there -- hard!

My gut says that Al Qaeda's leadership is holed up in Pak or even Kashmir. We need to go into both places, kick butt and take names. We need to go after Saddam, now. We need to go after Arafat and stop playing games with the Saudis.

Clinton used executive orders to get anything he wanted. Bush ought to use an executive order to drill on the North Slope, and free us from having to kiss up to the Saudis. That way, we can truly hold them accountable for their actions, Democrats be damned.

A declaration of war won't change a thing. Daschle and his fellow gnomes will do their best to stand in the way of anything constructive. Bush ought to just do what he needs to do by executive order. There won't be a damned thing the Dems can do about it.

[Honcho]

Ship operators in the United States and other developed countries have long registered their vessels in countries that offer lower fees, less restrictive laws, lower taxes and cheaper crews.

This kind of crap always comes back to bite us and still we keep doing it.

[1Old Pro]

that Osama bin Laden covertly owns a shipping fleet

Do you think we ought to tell the CIA that it might be a good idea to look into this......

[Eva]

Did you see the announcement that the US Coast Guard is training a team of special forces to board vessels with bomb sniffing dogs before they enter the US ports? This is most definitely the reason for these precautions.

[KirklandJunction]

"Criminal and terrorist activity impossible under (US) flag carriers"? Gee, I thought all four of those airliners hijacked on 9/11 were American flag carriers. I guess boats are different in this regard? How silly I am to question the intelligence of a federal bureaucrat.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

What unnerves me is the idea that at this very moment there's a bunch of boats, loaded with explosives and/or scuba gear, kayaks, etc., hidden from view in or near major harbors or bridges all across America's coastline. Just waiting for the word on WHEN to do it. Don't forget, just because 9/11 was successful doesn't mean they haven't had another plan in the works for years as well. Or several plans.

[wcbtinman]

So, if we know Bin Laden owns the ships, why haven't they been confiscated?

The BS meter is starting to rise.

[jonatron]

Check out this Site about Taylor and Liberia

[Sword_Svalbardt]

Time for some target practice. Let the fleet loose on these animals! Mark 48 bait, and Harpoon bait! We need to improve our weapons targeting ability!

[Senator_Palpatine]

>>>>>As time goes on, I think we will better understand why our government leaders are so concerned about the potential for harm that they have declared war on terrorism. I would like to see Congress pass a declaration of war!>>>>>>>

I understand your concern...It is a matter of procedures but I feel confident we can overcome it.The motion for the Republic to commission a Grand Army takes precedent...in order for Congress to pass a Declaration of War!It is quite safe from Bin Laden's pitiful little band,an Entire Legion of My Best Troops awaits them...

[rageaholic]

why are Osama's ships not impounded? I thought going after assets was part of the War On Terror. This war on terror is really starting to suck. Today Bush called Islam a "noble religeon" what a joke.

[piasa]

The Karina A, a ship seized by the Israeli navy last January with a cargo of 50 tons of weapons headed for the Palestinian Authority, was owned by an Iraqi and flew the flag of Tonga under a registry run by a Greek company.

There's one country they forgot to mention here: The stuff on board the Karin A. was provided by Iran. That's interesting if the owner is Iraqi. So was the Iraqi a Shiite or just a free lancer?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., singled out Liberia, citing U.N. reports that revenues from its flag registry were channeled to a Russian arms dealer with ties to the Taliban and al-Qaida.

Liberia has easier rules of registration, which saves money. Next time you take a cruise, check out the ship's registration. Most likely it will be Liberia.