Snip: Had I been an explosives-carrying terrorist, I'd have had no problem carrying out my evil act at the Ottawa train station yesterday, killing scores of people.
Without even a ticket, and one hour before the next train was to leave (for Montreal), I walked with a small satchel through the front doors of the station, across the main concourse to the top of the winding passageway, down the empty passageway, along an empty corridor to an empty escalator, up the escalator to the outside rail platform where two empty trains stood, along the empty platform, up to the open door of one of the empty coaches, turned around, walked across the platform to the station building, ducked under a yellow chain across the open door, and strolled past a sign in the concourse saying: Visitors Not Allowed On Platform. Had I been a terrorist, I could easily have concealed a bomb with a timing device in the empty coach and sauntered away. I could have bought a ticket at the wicket and taken a bomb on board in my carry-on luggage, unchecked. I could have detonated the bomb in the concourse area that was filled with passengers. Scores of people were in the line-up at the head of the passageway for the Montreal train, all with suitcases, backpacks, purses, shopping bags -- none of which were checked by VIA personnel, the passengers simply waved through.
Malaysia braces for ruling on Islam conversion
Snip: Malaysia is expecting a court ruling any day now that could shake society to its foundations: does a Muslim have the right to convert to another faith?
Wave of attacks planned say investigators
Snip: Suspected terrorists were planning to unleash a wave of "apocalyptic" attacks on land and air, using an arsenal of bombs and weaponry, including firearms, investigators have discovered.
Police and intelligence sources have indicated that the alleged plot which was thwarted last week was targeted at the UK, as well as at airliners heading for the US, and could have caused devastating loss of life and destruction on the British mainland. One Whitehall source said "many dozens" of plots were under investigation, involving "hundreds" of suspects.
It's a bit stunning to me that it will take a court ruling for someone to not be a muslim. Scratch Malaysia off my travel list.
Excellent links, thank you MamaD.