Terrorists Planning Summer Attack

[Guest OctoberBlood]

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials have obtained new intelligence deemed highly credible indicating al-Qaida or other terrorists are in the United States and preparing to launch a major attack this summer, The Associated Press has learned.

 

The intelligence does not include a time, place or method of attack but is among the most disturbing received by the government since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to a senior federal counterterrorism official who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday.

 

 

Of most concern, the official said, is that terrorists may possess and use a chemical, biological or radiological weapon that could cause much more damage and casualties than a conventional bomb.

 

 

"There is clearly a steady drumbeat of information that they are going to attack and hit us hard," said the official, who described the intelligence as highly credible.

 

 

The official declined to provide any specifics about the sources of the information but said there was an unusually high level of corroboration.

 

 

Despite that, the official said there was no immediate plan to raise the nation's terrorism threat level from yellow, or elevated, to orange, or high. The threat level has been at yellow — midpoint on the five-color scale — since January.

 

 

Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) and FBI (news - web sites) Director Robert Mueller plan a news conference Wednesday to outline an intensive effort by law enforcement, intelligence and homeland security officials to detect and disrupt any potential plots. And the FBI plans to dispatch a bulletin to some 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies warning of the threat.

 

 

Beginning with Saturday's dedication of the new World War II Memorial in Washington, the summer presents a number of high-profile targets in the United States. They include the G-8 summit in Georgia next month that will attract top officials from some of America's closest allies, the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July and the Republican National Convention in August in New York.

 

 

The FBI and Homeland Security Department also are concerned about so-called soft targets such as shopping malls anywhere in the United States that offer a far less protected environment than a political convention hall.

 

 

U.S. authorities repeatedly have said al-Qaida is determined to mount an attack on U.S. soil, in part to announce to the world that it remains capable of doing so despite the money and effort that has gone into homeland security in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

 

 

There also is concern terrorists might try to mount an attack to coincide with the November election. The political fallout from the March 11 train bombings in Spain taught al-Qaida that an attack timed to an election can have a major impact. Spain's former ruling party was ousted in the voting that followed the bombing, which killed 191 and injured more than 2,000.

 

 

The official did not say how many suspected al-Qaida or other terrorist operatives are believed in the country, whether they made their way into the United States recently or have been here for some time. The FBI has warned in the past that Islamic extremist groups may attempt to recruit non-Middle Easterners or women for attacks because they would be less likely to arouse suspicion.

 

 

Special security attention already is being focused to the nation's rail, subway and bus lines. The FBI last week sent out an intelligence bulletin to law enforcement agencies urging vigilance against suicide bombers, who have been used by terror groups worldwide to devastating effect but not so far in the United States.

 

 

Separately, Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Michael Garcia told reporters Tuesday that some 2,300 of its agents are being deployed to assist in security for the high-profile events scheduled this summer in the United States. These include as many as 20 agents each day working with the Secret Service to protect the campaigns of President Bush (news - web sites) and Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), the Democratic presidential candidate.

 

 

Garcia said his agency also is working to "tighten the investigative system" to ensure that terrorists do not enter the United States by way of human smuggling operations or through the vast, largely unprotected border with Canada.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...terror_threat_3

[2GOLD 0]

So, they inform us terrorists are going to do something but they don't know where and don't know when and we shouldn't panic or worry about it. But we should remember, it's coming and to be afraid to vacation.

 

I really wish they would quit doing this crap. If they have nothing to tell us, then don't freaking tell us.

 

This "ok, they MIGHT do something" is really annoying since we already KNOW they might do something.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Well, they need to let Kerry know so he can break out the hand cuffs~!

[Guest thebigjig]

No need to worry... George W. Rambo will protect us all

 

But seriously... how many times have we heard threats like this since 9/11? I've lost ALL faith in our intelligence agencies, and that has nothing to do with my dislike for Bush

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

It's to make you more aware of a potential threat. If people are aware they are more likely to report suspicious activities.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Threat level raised to blackwatch plaid!

[Guest Quik]

Obscure reference! YEAH! HARVEY MUTHAFUCKIN' BIRDMAN!

[2GOLD 0]

Obscure reference! YEAH! HARVEY MUTHAFUCKIN' BIRDMAN!

 

Wait a couple of months, it'll probably be a real terror alert color.

[Guest MikeSC]

So, they inform us terrorists are going to do something but they don't know where and don't know when and we shouldn't panic or worry about it. But we should remember, it's coming and to be afraid to vacation.

 

I really wish they would quit doing this crap. If they have nothing to tell us, then don't freaking tell us.

 

This "ok, they MIGHT do something" is really annoying since we already KNOW they might do something.

No need to worry... George W. Rambo will protect us all

 

But seriously... how many times have we heard threats like this since 9/11? I've lost ALL faith in our intelligence agencies, and that has nothing to do with my dislike for Bush

And some people think that those idiots who claim that Bush did nothing to prevent 9/11 are oblivious to political reality.

 

Yup, we've been proven wrong.

-=Mike

[2GOLD 0]

I don't even BEGIN to claim Bush did nothing about 9/11, the guy did the best he could and I'm not going to put blame on him for it.

 

But telling people absolutely nothing, nothing at all doesn't say "well, we told you so" if something happens. If people still need to be told to be on the watch for suspicious people then I guess we are dumber country than I thought.

 

Yes, I understand the whole political bs if they don't say anything but they will still receive heavy amounts of crap if something DOES happen and this is all the info they could give.

 

Don't DARE try to group me with people who blame Bush and others for 9/11 cause I'm not even getting put into that crowd. But this announcement says nothing, it tells people nothing and now it's getting insulting to be told stuff MIGHT happen since you can say this every day but it doesn't cover your ass if something goes down.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

It's to make you more aware of a potential threat. If people are aware they are more likely to report suspicious activities.

 

As If America isn't already in the grasp of total paranioa.

[Guest MikeSC]

I don't even BEGIN to claim Bush did nothing about 9/11, the guy did the best he could and I'm not going to put blame on him for it.

 

But telling people absolutely nothing, nothing at all doesn't say "well, we told you so" if something happens. If people still need to be told to be on the watch for suspicious people then I guess we are dumber country than I thought.

 

Yes, I understand the whole political bs if they don't say anything but they will still receive heavy amounts of crap if something DOES happen and this is all the info they could give.

 

Don't DARE try to group me with people who blame Bush and others for 9/11 cause I'm not even getting put into that crowd. But this announcement says nothing, it tells people nothing and now it's getting insulting to be told stuff MIGHT happen since you can say this every day but it doesn't cover your ass if something goes down.

But THIS reaction is what the people who blame Bush for all of it don't quite get.

 

We've HAD terrorist attacks. We've SEEN what they can do.

 

And people don't take vague threats seriously NOW.

 

If Bush released EVERYTHING before 9/11 --- would a soul have listened?

 

I'm not lumping you into the group.

-=Mike

[NoCalMike 0]

So since Ashcroft is involved in this outlining, I wonder if he is going to include plans to take out medical marijuana stores, porn shops, internet head shops, and strip clubs, all in the name of anti-terrorism of course.

[Guest Cerebus]

So since Ashcroft is involved in this outlining, I wonder if he is going to include plans to take out medical marijuana stores, porn shops, internet head shops, and strip clubs, all in the name of anti-terrorism of course.

Heh heh.

 

On a serious note, the intel community as increased chatter quite a bit in the last few months, I was just waiting for something like this.

 

But I'm in agreement with 2Gold. It's not clear exactly WHAT they want us to do about this, I think it may be just that if this attack does hit then we can't blame the gov't for not knowing anything/not telling us.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Give Mikey "FAT" Moore one tiny insignificant half-hearted shred of credit for announcing one thing to a lot of people who watched his last ego-masturbatory flick: For exposing that the media gets the public so worked up , that they don't even have to give you a reason to be afraid of things anymore.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

And some people think that those idiots who claim that Bush did nothing to prevent 9/11 are oblivious to political reality.

Exactly. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

If I were prez. I'd just say everyday "Hey, someone might blow you up, so be careful..."

[Vern Gagne 0]

FoxNews.com

 

Three of those Seven are on the FBI's 25 Most Wanted Terror List.

[Mole 0]

There is nothing to worry about since we have Jack Bauer.

 

Oh nevermind that is just a TV show.

[Styles 0]

FoxNews.com

 

Three of those Seven are on the FBI's 25 Most Wanted Terror List.

YOUR Al-Queda All Stars....ugly suckers, aint they?

[Guest MikeSC]

Give Mikey "FAT" Moore one tiny insignificant half-hearted shred of credit for announcing one thing to a lot of people who watched his last ego-masturbatory flick: For exposing that the media gets the public so worked up , that they don't even have to give you a reason to be afraid of things anymore.

I will again remind you that Bush has been raked over the coals for "suppressing" info about the 9/11 attacks before the fact.

 

If you dismiss this AFTER the attacks --- why would anybody assume a soul would have listened to it BEFORE them?

-=Mike

[Guest INXS]

This is just scaremongering. A political distraction.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I will again remind you that Bush has been raked over the coals for "suppressing" info about the 9/11 attacks before the fact.

So exactly where's the information?

 

There is none, what they're hunching this on is confidential and they plan to keep it this way.

[Stephen Joseph 0]

This is just scaremongering. A political distraction.

Bullshit. And you know it.

This is the best they can do.

Hell, at least they're trying.

[Stephen Joseph 0]

I will again remind you that Bush has been raked over the coals for "suppressing" info about the 9/11 attacks before the fact.

So exactly where's the information?

 

There is none, what they're hunching this on is confidential and they plan to keep it this way.

It's from intercepted phone calls and emails basically...That's been reported many times

 

And of course its confidential...should we just GIVE AWAY our intelligence resources when we're trying to find these people?

[Styles 0]

This is just scaremongering. A political distraction.

Bullshit. And you know it.

This is the best they can do.

Hell, at least they're trying.

Oh come on, if we put our fingers in our ears and hold hands (hard to accomplish at the same time, I know!) this will all go away! There's no terrorists, they're not plotting! It's just a government ploy to SCARE us into re-electing that despotic monarch of ours. Those pictures I posted are not even real people! What a joke!

 

...

As horrible as it is to say, I don't know how many more September 11ths are needed before some people get their heads out of their asses...

[Guest BDC]

This is just scaremongering. A political distraction.

Ostrich complex. If you ignore its existance, it doesn't bother you.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

YOUR Al-Queda All Stars....ugly suckers, aint they?

No wonder they're so angry -- I'd be too if I looked like that.

 

And is that middle one on the top row a guy or chick?...

[Guest Anglesault]

On a serious note, the intel community as increased chatter quite a bit in the last few months, I was just waiting for something like this.

Anyone else not really a fan of the term "chatter"?

 

It just sounds so...non-threatening.

[Guest Anglesault]

YOUR Al-Queda All Stars....ugly suckers, aint they? 

No wonder they're so angry -- I'd be too if I looked like that.

 

And is that middle one on the top row a guy or chick?...

I'm not sure, and I'm not sure about the last one on the second row either.

[Guest BDC]

I have to agree. Maybe their activies are ougrowths of angst!