[wayoverontheright]

Excellent analysis of enemy mindset.

[wayoverontheright]

Over the past few months, al-Qaeda has already issued at least two major threats against the U.S. and Americans overseas: one by the voice of Osama bin Laden last October and the other just a few days ago by Ayman al Thawahiri. Both audio tapes threatened the homeland with terrorist strikes. The first call made it into a strategic must; the second made American civilians responsible for what will "ensue." These two declarations must be taken seriously, even if no attacks materialize...

While agreeing that we should err on the side of caution, no attacks have materialized, and we must ask ourselves does this reflect a lack of ability or a lack of will?

Are our adversaries aware that another attack would unite our country against them with heretofore unseen, unbridled fury and anger? That the consequences which could accrue to them might exceed even those they have already suffered?

They are either aware or not aware, if they are, they will punt at this time, IMHO.

[mercy]

A note to all mosque attending Moslems in the US:

You better effing be providing information to the proper authorities on the bad guys you KNOW are skulking around your community.

You have no idea how nasty white men can be if pushed to a point. You just need to ask yourself .... where IS that point?

[Gritty]

Good article.

These Jihadists aren't going away until we blow them away!

[Cicero]

I'd say it's lack of ability, not lack of will. Terrorists don't do a whole lot of political analysis when they blow people up. It's enough for them that blowing people up is currently in fashion among terrorists. And it's in fashion mainly because in many cases, especially in Israel, it works. People back down, apologize to the terrorists, try to make nice. It will take a few more years of responses like Bush made in Afghanistan and Iraq for the opposite message to sink in.

Even Bush has been doing exactly the wrong thing in Israel--in effect, rewarding terrorists for blowing people up. He may have a long-range plan of some kind, but he is certainly radiating the perception through his actions and those of his subordinates that he supports Palestinian terrorism.

What they may think, too, is that if they bomb us enough they'll get another Carter or clinton instead of Bush. And they could be right.

[Wonder Warthog]

"They know that the horrific images of that day of infamy are still present in the minds of all Americans."

It sure does--and it stimulats a strong urge to nail their collective hides to the barn wall!!!!

Let'em pull another 9/11, and they will find that the US's original response was mild to what will happen next.

[TaxPayer2000]

The chatter, intelligence and other types of gathering are in the hands of able government agencies.

I wish I shared this writers enthusiastic faith in "government agencies"

[kjam22]

We're fighting an opponent that only attacks us once every couple of years. These guys are nothing more than pesky little rodents. We should nuke about 1000 square miles where we think Osama is hiding.... and let them dig out from that for a few years.

[HairOfTheDog]

Excellent analysis of enemy mindset.

Raising the level of alert doesn't mean that the strike will necessarily occur. In our society, this may seem difficult to absorb. ... Americans must come to realize that going up on alert levels is not a guarantee for a strike, merely an indicator of the existence of the terrorists' intent to strike. We need to realize that victory against terrorism comes after we mobilize to deter the enemy, not after the enemy strikes.

And an excellent lesson for our own.

[dalereed]

All BS, it's just Ridge trying to justify his existance and massive expendatures.

[Quix]

THANKS.

[OXENinFLA]

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SA1303

MEMRI
Special Alert - No. 13
December 10, 2003 No.13

Arabic Daily: Al-Qa'ida Preparing Big Operation to Coincide with Eid Al-Adha [Feast of the Sacrifice] on Feb. 2, 2004 -New Bin Laden Tape will Explain Details

The London-based Arabic daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that "information sources close to Al-Qa'ida said that the organization, headed by Osama bin Laden, is gearing up for a big operation to coincide with Eid Al-Adha [February 2, 2004]. [1]

"The information coordinator for the Sahab Institute, which is associated with Al-Qa'ida, said that a new videotape of bin Laden will be circulated shortly before the holiday. He added in an interview with the Internet site Al-Anbaa [The News] that the videotape will surface in conjunction with 'a great event that will shake the region.' He refused to confirm or deny that he was in possession of a pre-taped videotape of bin Laden, and stated only that: 'When the event occurs it will be broadcast by Al-Jazeera television.'

"The coordinator explained that he had an agreement with Al-Jazeera by which it was committed to broadcast any videotape that the Sahab Institute provides about Al-Qa'ida. He pointed out that the Institute would sever its relations with the station if it refused to broadcast a videotape, and reiterated that 'the station is obligated to broadcast any videotape we send to it.'

"The coordinator, identified by the nickname 'Abi Osama' [Osama's Father], added: 'We duplicate and edit the videotapes of the organization in special ways, and then send them to news channels, including Al-Jazeera, in response to orders issued to us.' He added that the telecast of the recent bombings in Riyadh, including the bombings in the Al-Muhiya neighborhood in the Saudi capital, is in itself evidence enough of Al-Qa'ida's responsibility for these events." [2]

---

[1] Eid al-Adha is one of the two major Muslim holidays, and is celebrated on the tenth day of the Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar in which millions of Muslims from around the world make an annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

[2] Al-Quds Al-Arabi (London), December 9, 2003.

---

If it stays orange past Jan. we'll know why.

[Pro-Bush]

Bump! America is constantly a target of radical Islaofascists!

[Lando Lincoln]

Good post. Thank you

Lando