Prosecutor: Mackinac Bridge was target (plan for cell phones)

The Saginaw News ^ | JUSTIN ENGEL08/12/06

[SE Mom]

Tuscola County prosecutors filed terrorism-related charges Saturday against three men who they say bought dozens of cell phones Friday in Caro in a globally coordinated plot involving the Mackinac Bridge.

They charged brothers Adham Abdelhamid Othman, 21, and Louai Abdelhamied Othman, 23, along with their cousin, Maruan Awad Muhareb, 18, with identical counts of collecting material to support terrorist acts and surveillance of a vulnerable target with intent to committ terrorism.

[debg]

Why like a jerk? I know, the solution is profiling.

[mgstarr]

Just wait, some opportunistic politician will be proposing it soon.

I don't trust prosecutors, I don't trust defence attorneys - the truth lies somewhere in between.

[Paleo Conservative]

Considering there have been cell phone arrests in many states, this is part of a larger plot. As I said above, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they had a list of targets in every single state in order to maximize terror- and throw our emergency response into a state of chaos.

I think all unregistered prepaid cell phones should be immediately disabled. It is crazy to allow any anonymously owned cell phone to operate anywhere in the world. After all them are disabled, they should only be reenabled after the owners personally go to a cell phone store or service outlet and present valid photo ID, verified addresses, bank accounts and submit a thumb print.

[Mark was here]

With all due respect to Michiganders, I highly doubt your state rates terribly high on the list of high profile targets.

How could you forget the "Arsenal of Democracy?"

Sure the Bridge is out in the middle of nowhere, but it has fans from all over the country, as in anyone who crossed it.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Seems like a rather pointless target for terrorism, though. About the only way to make it worthwhile to terrorists would be to take it out with a lot of potential victims on it.

Not if they are planning hits on dozens or hundreds of simultaneous targets around the country. Symbolism and disrupting commerce/economy, spread out over many states.

I'm rather skeptical that the Iranian monkey would really start a war with the US on August 22, but if he really is, a massive number of hits in the homeland is the only way to inflict real harm, unless he has some kind of nuke. I doubt the latter.

[dakine]

Joking...right?

[RunningWolf]

I would think the cell phone would be used as one component (igniter to a kindling) for a larger cutting type device to be used on the cables.

W.

[TWfromTEXAS]

so you don't think we're all involved in this or do you think the FBI should have an agent in every store? give us some more details on your well thought out ideas.

[PistolPaknMama]

Interesting, thanks for the post.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

It only has to last for a few milliseconds: "Aging of lithium-ion is an issue that is often ignored. A lithium-ion battery in use typically lasts between 2-3 years. The capacity loss manifests itself in increased internal resistance caused by oxidation. Eventually, the cell resistance reaches a point where the pack can no longer deliver the stored energy although the battery may still have ample charge. For this reason, an aged battery can be kept longer in applications that draw low current as opposed to a function that demands heavy loads. Increasing internal resistance with cycle life and age is typical for cobalt-based lithium-ion, a system that is used for cell phones, cameras and laptops because of high energy density. The lower energy dense manganese-based lithium-ion, also known as spinel, maintains the internal resistance through its life but loses capacity due to chemical decompositions. Spinel is primarily used for power tools."
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

[gaijin]

[Paleo Conservative]

Joking...right?

No I'm not. President Bush should immediately order all anonymously held cell phones disabled. Congress should pass a law prohibiting the sale of prepaid phones without recording verified addresses and names of the buyers.

[oceanview]

coverage of this story coming up next on FNC.

[gaijin]

You wouldn't have to cut the (many verticle) supporting cables. Just the one or two large ones near where they attach to land.

It's a great idea --simple and cheap.

An idea dreamed up by someone who thought a little (or a lot) like an engineer.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Seems like such an attack could be accomplished far easier without the need for 1k mobile phones.

No Shia, Sherlock. Ever been to Dearborn? These buyers have a friend or hundred that fit the terrorist profile to the T.

[dakine]

hahahaha.....Almost got me that time!

[CindyDawg]

Whoa!

[idkfa]

Recall that on 8/31/05 in Baghdad 965 people died in a stampede off a bridge caused by just a rumor of a bomber.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/31/iraq.main/

[MOgirl]

Hello,

You make a good point...

MOgirl

[oceanview]

I agree completely - and have been saying this on FR for over a year. for many reasons, there is no way we can allow anonymous purchases of activated, untraceable cell phones - for cash - all over the united states. they must be outlawed.