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.

[Malsua]

Where did these guys get $55,0000 to spend on cell phones that they never intended to recharge?

Sympathetic middle eastern sheiks and gov'ts intent on "humbling" the United States and Israel. The money was likely funneled through their local mosque by a firebrand Imam preaching death to America.

[mark502inf]

Annual Labor Day Walk on Mackinac Bridge

50,000+ people-I'm going this year!

Note the Michigan National Guardsmen in your photo doing crowd control--may be a few more next time.

[mtbopfuyn]

After 9/11, in California, several of the charter schools, were closed once it was realized that the funding recieved was actually going to secret training camps. Oakland, Fresno, etc.

OMG, I never knew.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Flamed for what?

Advocating drastic action -- deportation of muslims living here due to the dangerous fundamental nature of the religion and execution of militants AND their immediate families to stop the killing and and aggression on their part.

[Caipirabob]

Ping! The plot continues to unfold...

[mtbopfuyn]

I'm sure they could take a sample from the bottle and carpet or whatever he dumped the contents onto and make an analysis of whatever was in the container. One would hope they did and are just keeping it a secret but with airport security being what it is they probably didn't.

[6ppc]

Considering the numbers of these that have been bought recently by unfriendly sorts..you have to at least wonder what OTHER targets may be on various lists..

It seems pretty obvious to me that they are prepping for an extended terror campaign by stockpiling cell phones. Roadside bombs coming to a neighborhood near you! The thing is, if they stick to TracFones then all we have to do is shut down all TracFones to stop them in their tracks, although a few folks will likely die first.

[CindyDawg]

I wondered yesterday if this was urgent work, but they may have been separating the batteries because a cop pulled them over. "Officer, we break these up and sell the parts. See?"

[GarySpFc]

Advocating drastic action -- deportation of muslims living here due to the dangerous fundamental nature of the religion and execution of militants AND their immediate families to stop the killing and and aggression on their part.

I completely agree! We face an enemy who is my opinion is far more dangerous than the old communism of the Soviet Union. To this day we do not for the most part allow former communists to immigrate to America. Why in the world would we allow these people into our country? They obviously want to over throw our form of government and establish Sharia Law as the rule.

[MissEdie]

Shall we say "WalMart Png"?

[John D]

Seems like a rather pointless target for terrorism, though.



I do not think it pointless. It would make it very difficult to get from the lower peninsula to the UP.

[SnarlinCubBear]

terrorists have pulled off some pretty amazing stuff and managed to escape.
===
Some aren't interested in escape. They become suicide bombers. Maybe they will take a walk on the bridge themselves, at say 10 feet intervals, and all together, detonate the bombs.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Re USMC, USCG comparison; I worked in military nuclear power. One of our entertainments was to watch the drills aboard the adjacent units, Oh dark 30, Marines in skivvy combat gear (no trousers blouses) running butt-to-butt the length of a crowded ship's deck. In front a SAW, in back a rifle. I can imagine the bloodied body parts learning that skill! Hoo Rah!

USCG belongs to to Dept of Commerce and to the Commerce Clause of the COTUS. If they want to fight, join the USMC or USN.

[fanfan]

but couldn't resist having bought the pork rinds and a beer from the pr*&k.

LOL!
Too bad you didn't open the rinds and drop a few on him.

[reformedliberal]

I respectively suggest you tell that to the USCG.

I understand they have different missions. I understand the USCG is underarmed and lightweight for the realities of some of their missions. The uniform may not be cool. This is what we have and so far, they have all done their jobs.

[fanfan]

That's creepy Patty.

[r9etb]

You don't understand the purposes of terrorism?

You don't read entire posts before responding?

[freeperfromnj]

That is a troubling story. Just because the airplane plot has been broken up doesn't mean that they can't pull off that same plot on subways, buses, malls, games, etc. I mean, we can't ban drinks every where? Can we? I don't believe we are out of the woods yet.

[r9etb]

I do not think it pointless. It would make it very difficult to get from the lower peninsula to the UP.

I suppose -- but that's my point, actually. As a terror target that seems a bit lame. Terrorists want to spread fear, and a downed bridge doesn't do that. I mean, who wants to talk about "inconvenience-ism?"

Which is why I went off looking for events connected with the bridge, which would be of interest to terrorists. And I found the Walk .... which certainly does suggest a terror-worthy target.

[Suzy Quzy]

Yeah...they pray everyday for DEATH TO ISRAEL and AMERICANS!! What a SICK...SICK religion.