Three men detained on terrorist suspicions still under investigation

Naples Daily News ^ | 09/17/02 | By MIREIDY FERNANDEZ, mmfernandez@naplesnews.com

[sheik yerbouty]

The materials were probably transferred to another vehicle.

[gg188]

Heroes in the Homeland
Friday, September 13, 2002

By Neil Cavuto

First off, on this whole Florida security alert, my hats off to the Florida Highway Patrol. And to Florida Governor Jeb Bush. To the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. And to the FBI. And the Secret Service.

All working together flawlessly today.

But, do you know who is the real hero in this whole Middle Eastern-Georgia-Florida highway drama today? Eunice Stone.

A mom, just eating at a Shoney's restaurant with her son, who happens to catch a conversation, allegedly among some Middle Eastern men sitting near her.

Men joking about Sept. 11, one of them reportedly saying Americans had mourned on Sept. 11 and would mourn again on Sept. 13.

Eunice didn't just sit there and continue eating. She got up, literally grabbed a crayon from one of those kid coloring books restaurants have and dashed down the license plate number on their car.

That gave authorities all they needed to track these guys down and to prevent God knows what. We don't know. Now there's talk it was all a joke. I say who cares? Anyone joking about Sept. 11 deserves an ear, and I say, at the least, a finger. But no matter, Eunice did the right thing.

She wasn't anyone special, but what she did was very special.

A mom with a heart, whose sense of duty was greater than her own sense of fear.

There are a lot of unlikely soldiers in this war on terror. Eunice Stone proved today that they don't have to wear a uniform.

What do you think? Send your comments to: cavuto@foxnews.com. And watch Neil Cavuto's Common Sense weekdays at 4 p.m. ET on Your World w/Cavuto.

FOX News Network, LLC 2002. All rights reserved.

[Balata]

"We believe the information (in this case) is not over because of other uncorroborated information we have at the moment," Hunter said.

Maybe this has to do with the missing four hours.

[windchime]

While I was looking up threads, you all were reading my mind. We all have the same questions. And....more questions than answers.

For the record, I saw all of Eunice's interviews with Fox on Friday and she never said they spoke Arabic.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

"Are the reporters misreporting these students comments, or attributing others comments (i.e. their families comments) to them?? It's getting curiouser and curiouser."

On Friday afternoon,one of the families from Illinois, held a press conference. They had a fiery representative, who spoke in a thick Arab accent and called Eunice, the police and the rest of Americans, racists, hate mongers, etc. This tirade lasted quite awhile, until the sister came on-she was dressed in Muslim garb, but spoke perfect English. She then launched into a similar tirade. Then the mother, an Arab immigrant, came to the microphone and the angry tirade continued. I could not take anymore and clicked off. The media condensed that scene into a few words by the sister on the nightly news. On the Friday night, the 3 were very arrogant and condescending-sounds like they may have gotten the word to soften their pronouncements, if they want to get into a US hospital for their continuing medical training.

[nutmeg]

For the record, I saw all of Eunice's interviews with Fox on Friday and she never said they spoke Arabic.

Same here. This "Arabic" info was news to me tonight also. The Three Stooges' story keeps changing and changing...

[Balata]

Makes sense to me.

[DennisR]

Muslim extremists/fanatics have no qualms over lying. Which makes them like DUCLS (Democrat/Utopian/Communist/Liberal/Socialists)--the end always justifies the means.

[PoisedWoman]

You're a wonder with those links, windchime. Thanks so much. There's more to this story than meets the eye.

Where were they and what were they doing for the missing 4 hours? 4 hours is plenty of time to make a delivery anywhere along the west coast of Florida.

I hope the LEOs are as smart as you are, Sledge. What did they do with the missing four hours? Mabe you should ask the LEOs this question.

[Tarheel]

This tirade lasted quite awhile, until the sister came on-she was dressed in Muslim garb, but spoke perfect English. She then launched into a similar tirade.

Yes, I saw this interview also. This woman is sister to the bearded and 'capped' medical student of Denny's and the Florida Turnpike fame. I found it interesting that she was as pugnacious and arrogant as her brother. She is also a medical student at the same place and was going to join her brother in FL on Sunday for her continuing medical training.

The Tarheel

[Sledge]

One guy on another thread said there is a confusing turnoff from I-75 near Orlando that can screw you up...

The Florida Turnpike (AKA the Ronald Reagan Memorial Expressway) meets I-75 North of Tampa. I-75 goes south to Tampa and the Turnpike goes southeast through Orlando, and from there south to Miami. If you miss the Turnpike exit off I-75 you will eventually get to Miami via Naples.

It is conceivable that they just missed their exit. There was a time that the Turnpike was the only good way to get to Miami from I-75, but since I-75 has been completed through to Miami, either way is good. I personally use Alligator Alley and I-75 between Boca and Tampa because of the quality of the roads and the fact that it is interstate the whole way.

The turnpike is the best way to get here from there, but not the only good way.

[rolling_stone]

I saw them with Greta and one guy said he even asked a cop (she) what day it was, to indicate he didn't even know what day it was and according to him, she supposedly replied something like you know darn well what day it is....I don't buy his story for one second.

[windchime]

The connection from I-75 to get on the turnpike takes you toward Orlando, but it's about an hour from the connection to Orlando. To Tampa is straight on 75- to the Florida Turnpike is to the left. Kind of a fork in the road that is well identified. The turnpike takes you to about Ft. Pierce on the east coast where you would connect with I-95 south to Miami.

Driving to Naples then across Alligator Alley is tantamount to walking the perimeter of Home Depot to the entrance instead of cutting across the parking lot.

[Tarheel]

bearded and 'capped' medical student of Denny's and the Florida Turnpike fame

Meant to say say Shoney's fame and I-75. It is getting late--too many errors.

The Tarheel

[glorygirl]

Well, I guess we could discuss this 'til the cows come home!

But I lived there almost 7 years and never heard of anyone traveling south to Miami via Naples or Tampa, for that matter, who didn't start in that vicinity or have either city in mind for a destination. But I suppose it happens. The East coast, yes. But isn't it possible to turn around and get back to 75 (or the Turnpike, and ultimately 95) if you suddenly realize you're headed in the wrong direction ?

[windchime]

You're welcome! It's just a self-preservation thing to know what's going on in my neighborhood.

[Conservababe]

Interesting that the stooge said that they were late because he had to find an apartment, a car and a day care for his sister's child. When was the starting date for their internship, I wonder?

[Conservative4Ever]

Thanks for the timeline. I have kinda wondered about this myself, but not familiar with Florida, I don't have the info on the shortest routes to travel. There is also the issue of the dogs going crazy over the cars. The dogs don't lie.

Red

[windchime]

When did they name it the Ronald Regan Memorial Expressway?
That's the way I'll refer to it from now on!

[windchime]

Regan=Reagan