[11th_VA]

What a turn of events ...

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

The news report I just heard on the radio basically said that a witness has described the shooter as someone with a "slight build" and of either "Middle Eastern" or "Hispanic". I'm thinking "terrorist"!

[concerned about politics]

Law enforcement officials have not said they suspect anyone from the services. Experts have said the shooter also could be a hunter, a target shooter, someone with law enforcement experience, and so on.

CNN - About 1/2 hour ago, said they're "looking for a man that's Hispanic or Middle Eastern, and drives....."(then they showed the pictures of the vans).
I said to my spouce: "Did you hear that part? The part about the man being Hispanic or Middle Eastern?" He said "no", he "missed that part."
They said it quick.
I'm suprised the press isn't even SUGGESTING Middle Eastern terrorism. Does anyone else find that odd? They're not even asking!

[Imal]

That's not all they're up to. Based on the governor's ban on shooting in the areas hit by the "Beltway Sniper", I think there's a good chance that they're deploying a ShotSpotter(tm) system in the area. The Pentagon has other surveillance resources at its disposal as well, items that civilian law enforcement agencies can't afford.

This killing must be stopped, and I'll be the good guys will try just about anything by now.

[LibWhacker]

Since when is fighting enemy troops on our own soil considered domestic law enforcement?

[groanup]

How would you introduce the military into domestic law enforcement if that was your goal? What calamity would you create to necessitate the need for military interdiction into local law enforcement activities? I am not a conspiracy nut, hate that s##t as a matter of fact, but this seems a little to convenient. More people have died in automobile accidents in the four counties in the last ten days than have died at the hands of a sniper. This is a reason to tickle with the law against military police action?

[concerned about politics]

Asked whether there were links to al-Qaida or other foreign terrorists, Ridge said, "I don't think we can foreclose that. Certainly, nobody in the FBI or the White House has foreclosed that."

I'm impressed.

[savedbygrace]

The aircraft would perform general reconnaissance, such as looking for or tracking the light-colored van authorities say was seen at one or more of the shooting sites.

A gazillion of these vehicles and from 10,000 feet the military can figure out which one?

Pentagon participation also could involve a system of sensors that could detect flashes of gunfire on the ground, the official said.

Like at Waco?

[concerned about politics]

White House Concedes Sniper May Be Foreign Terrorist

another thread

[agrandis]

Pentagon participation also could involve a system of sensors that could detect flashes of gunfire on the ground, the official said.

But, but, but... I thought these sensors didn't work. The Danforth comittee on Waco tells us that what looks just like a burst from a gun is actually light bouncing off of ground litter. Of course, the ground litter, in this strange phenomenon, is always locted right next to a man with a gun, so maybe it would still be useful.

[Mensch]

How come the powers that be can shred the Posse Comitatus Act over the deaths of a handfull of Washingtonians without batting an eye, yet when it is suggested the military be used to secure the borders, the wailing is long and loud?

[wideawake]

I don't think this will help very much, besides the obvious Constitutional issues.

What would make sense (and what I hope is happening behind the scenes) would be for actual snipers from our military to advise the cops.

I'm sure a real-life sniper could go to one of these malls and automatically think: "hey, if I was operating here, I would shoot from behind that hedge . . . " etc.

This could be much more useful that surveillance photos.