Posted on 07/24/2004 12:14:47 PM PDT by mhking
HERNDON, Va. (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Friday warned top executives of major American sports organizations that al Qaeda may strike soon -- possibly at large sports events.
In a seminar for commissioners and other top officials of professional and amateur sports organizations, Ridge and other Homeland Security officials asked for help in ensuring safety at and around major sporting events.
He repeated a warning that the government fears al Qaeda might try to stage another large-scale attack in the United States, though he said he had no details on the time, place or method.
"You are here because you know that mass public gatherings -- such as the large sports events you will be hosting in the coming year -- are potential targets," he said. "And you know that the way to protect your venues from attack is to be prepared."
Ridge and other Homeland Security officials have warned since April that al Qaeda -- the group responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people -- may take advantage of large gatherings to strike again.
"As commissioners and security directors for large, high profile events, you play a very significant role in keeping our citizens safe," Ridge told the group, representing 18 sports organizations.
The group included National Football League commissioner Paul Tagliabue, National Basketball Association deputy commissioner Russ Granik and other top officials from Major League Baseball, NASCAR (news - web sites) and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
At the meeting, held at the Transportation Security Administration's Operation Center near Dulles International Airport, the executives were given briefings on the current security threat.
An official from the Secret Service -- the agency that coordinates all "national special security events" like the Super Bowl and the Olympics -- gave a briefing on various tactical considerations to be taken into account at large sporting events.
The FBI (news - web sites) gave an explanation of federal efforts to protect against weapons of mass destruction, and another Secret Service official spoke about how to provide protection for athletes, the executives and fans.
"The threat we face is real," said Ridge. "But we can mitigate it by working together and planning proactively.
"We would like to ... involve the sports fans in our collective effort to keep our events secure."
I would think more highly of our efforts against Al Qaeda, if there were daily reports about bombings and patrols, in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
I don't expect we'll find Bin Laden at our airports, at the Olympics in Greece. He could probably walk across from Mexico, unnoticed.
"I don't expect we'll find Bin Laden at our airports, at the Olympics in Greece. He could probably walk across from Mexico, unnoticed."
Can a person of his height pass for Mexican?
[Steinbrenner's office]
STEINBRENNER: Yes, yes, come in.
GEORGE: Sir, I just got a call from the terrorist. I told him to call back here.
STEINBRENNER: Just let me ask you something. Is it "February" or " February"? Because I prefer "Febuary" and what is this "ru"?
[phone rings]
GEORGE: Let me put that on speaker phone.
STEINBRENNER: Hello are you the bomber?
JERRY: Yes this is the terrorist bomber.
STEINBRENNER: Costanza here is busting his ass on those hats.
JERRY: think I've changed my mind.
STEINBRENNER: You don't want them, then goodbye.
GEORGE: ??? sir.
STEINBRENNER: Well what do you want instead?
JERRY: What?
STEINBRENNER: Well, you're the terrorist. You're going to want something.
JERRY: I guess it would be nice if you called all the ticket holders if the game was going to be rained out.
STEINBRENNER: All right George, you can handle that.
[George hangs up phone]
STEINBRENNER: Costanza what the hell are you doing?
GEORGE: You have to stand tough sir. That's why I had to hang up the phone.
STEINBRENNER: You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to run around the stadium and close all the windows. That's where I'm going, pal. And I'll tell you something else. I'm very nervous.
Maybe pass as a Spaniard, but he would be expected to speak Spanish with a perfect Castillian accent.
Football games are a natural target. No WMD needed, just imagine the panic caused by a pair of staggered suicide bombings...
Probably the ideal time would be right after a touchdown. everyone else would be distracted.
In that case, make sure you don't go to the Oklahoma-Texas A&M game...
There will be LOTS of touchdowns in that game...scored by the Sooners.
Tell us something we don't know Tom.
Sports events, malls, trains, airports, tall skyscrapers, government establishments,....
Better yet, don't tell us, for telling us what you know is telling Al Qaeda what you know.
We just need to be vigilant no matter where we are.
I have the feeling the next time the bar code is raised, it will be time to "duck and cover"!
Or perhaps, "lock and load....."
He's probably living in a beach front condo in Florida and getting dialysis on the government dime.
Alright. Done.
Got the football all wrapped up in plastic sheeting and duct taped all over.
Why don't you get some HUMAN INTELLIGENCE started and maybe have one or two CIA people who can speak Arabic? If you did that, there would NOT be all this mystery about where and when they are going to strike, you would KNOW, just as we KNEW during the Cold War exactly what the communists were up to. Instead we are so PC now, we can't profile, we can't infiltrate, we can't assassinate, and all those Kerry votes (and his kind) did that and we can include Bush senior.
I don't think a blowout would be the kind of game that I am talking about. I think a low scoring game where each score is more important to the outcome of the game would be better. Also a more comptetitive game is more likely to have a large TV audience.
bump
GWB needs to pull a Truman and create a covert agency that is completely "dark."
No Congressional scrutiny, no oversight, no "backgrounders" for the press. Nothing.
Obviously it would do all the things you mentioned that constitute a properly offensive intel organization.
And anyone who talks about it goes away.
(Maybe GWB has created such an agency, it would be the best thing he could do for the longterm good of the country)
If the Islammofacists don't manage to hurt someone or break something at the upcoming Olympics, I'll betcha it won't be for lack of trying!
how do you know it has not been done already?
"Lock and Load"???!!!
For goodness sake, mon; how INSENSITIVE of you! {8^Q
Don't you know that all good American Sheeple are supposed to turn in all our guns, rat out any "vigalantes" who try to keep some means of self defense to the FBI, and stock up on duct tape so as to keep the serin gas out?
When the "Red Crayolla Alarm" goes up, we must immediately and obediantly dive under the nearest bed or desk, piss ourselves in convulsive, utter terror, and cower whimpering until DE GUB'MINT comes to save us.
It might be a good idea to have a teddy bear, a bag of kittielitter and set of ATTENDS under the desk just to be on the safe side. I'm surpised that Tom RIDGE hasn't thought of that already.
I wonder if he's got HIS Attends ready?
Where HAVE you been??!! {;^{)~
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