Superbowl XL - Is this the target Al Qaeda has been waiting for? "the American Hiroshima?” (VANITY)

1/26/06 | ErickS

[1curiousmind]

Just thought you might find these two first-hand accounts interesting regarding the actual security around the Superbowl.

Taken from Debbie Schlussel's article: Where's Homeland Security?: Superbowl Exposes HUGE HOLE @ US/Canada Border

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2006/02/wheres_homeland.html

From a Canadian truck driver: "I cross the border into the States a few times a week in my truck. Usually at Port Huron.
I went across Windsor to Detroit yesterday and observed something. I can drive into Windsor over the bridge and get about 300 feet into America. There were no inspections, cops, border guards, radiation detectors, barricades and even toll collectors. I could have anything in my truck and nobody would ever know until I'm in Detroit when I get to the U.S. border guards. Before I reach them and any type of inspection is done, I looked on my map and realized I am only 3000 feet away from Ford field.

On the radio I kept hearing that the baseball All-Star game was used as a trial run for security. I wonder if someone else also used it as a trial run to check out security?
A Concerned Conservative Canadian

And here's a different comment.
From: http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/01/13/superbowl-possible-target-for-al-qaeda

Oh, this morning, I told my wife that one of these days the police will stop me and check my back pack on the way in to work. I drive a motorcycle as I mentioned earlier and park inside Cobo’s garage. Well, today at the police check point, I drove up to the officer and he said, “I love motorcycles, just go ahead”. And off I went into the garage! I really wouldn’t mind letting them check things out. It would make me more comfortable...

Comment by Melch — February 2, 2006 @

He works directly across from Cobo Hall. He took several pictures today. You can see them at: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b337fc39457c&sid=8AcMmjlk4aNnHA

Not too encouraging to hear these reports. I thought that they had switched around the border situation but apparently didn't. Debbie S. says it was about money and politics.

[WestCoastGal]

I was very surprised today while listening to the hearings to hear John Negroponte say that the Canadian border is a bigger problem than the mexican border. Since I'm ordering new curtains for the house, I wasn't completely listening but that caught my attention.

There is a pdf transcript of his testimony but my computer will not read pdf very well. Someone may be able to take a look at it to see the context in which he said that.

[angelsonmyside]

numbers would be much higher due to stampedes.

[angelsonmyside]

Thanks for the ping. I have sent this to several friends and wanted to stay up with it myself.

[Betty Jane]

That's true, it would be madhouse in the stands. Also imagine a vendor grabbing a pre-stashed rifle and shooting a few players. The panic and drama would be horrible.

[Sender]

Last time I came across from Windsor to Detroit I was in a rental car and had my drivers license, other IDs etc. The very nice customs lady told me I should have had proof of my US citizenship such as a birth certificate and also the rental car agreement with me. I had neither. She smiled and let me in anyway. Of course, I probably didn't look very suspicious.

[Texas Eagle]

What has yet to garnish any media attention is the fact that this will be the first time since 9/11 that such a high-profile event with such a concentration of Americans will take place so close to one of our borders.

Ever heard of this little scrimmage they call The Rose Bowl?

[GOP_Raider]

Some might say that the loss of the Pittsburgh Steelers would be a blessing

Here Here!

[1curiousmind]

"Ever heard of this little scrimmage they call The Rose Bowl?"

I didn't realize they had officially moved the Mexican border to LA. Hmmm, makes sense I guess.

[Ciexyz]

A "Black Sunday" scenario would be frightening.

[DocRock]

"I have a problem with giving these bastages any suggestions by publishing article like this."

Osama and Al Qeada thought of a dirty bomb at a widely viewed sporting event long before they hit us on 9/11.

Report: Police foil plot against Sydney Olympics
"Police in New Zealand have foiled an apparent terrorist plot targeting a nuclear reactor during this year's Olympics in Sydney, Australia, the New Zealand Herald reported Saturday."

[sheik yerbouty]

Retaliation against the jihadists, if the worst happens, should be immediate and exponentially harsh..

[Allegra]

I know, bad joke. Goes back to those SBs where the balding Bradshaw beat my Cowboys.

Those were the only times I have ever rooted for the Steelers. ;-)

[Allegra]

Ummmm....yeah.

Gee, we don't get many conspiracy theorists around here. Got tin foil?

Welcome to FR.

[sheik yerbouty]

I prefer "Reynold's Extra Strength"..

[LS]

Your life must indeed be shallow :)

[Allegra]

Your life must indeed be shallow :)

Oh, it certainly is. I never go anywhere, nothing exciting ever happens to me and I never get to witness any interesting events.

(Except maybe attending an expansion team's very first NFL game ever and watcing them WIN it. Imagine that - a brand new expansion team starting its record off at 1-0!

The score was 19-10 and the date was September 8, 2002. Can you imagine such a thing?)

[Rebelbase]

Yep, Clancy's already thought of this one.