Another Warning from Zubaydah (Severe terrorism warning for "soft targets" in the US)

Time Magazine ^ | 5.11.02 | Elaine Shannon

[mhking]

Another Warning from Zubaydah

The captured bin Laden aide puts the FBI on alert again — this time over "soft targets"

Saturday, May. 11, 2002
The FBI has issued another alert about possible terrorism attacks, but this time quietly. Law enforcement sources tell TIME that the bureau has sent word to its field offices and 56 federal terrorism task forces that they should advise local officials to tighten security around large apartment buildings, as well as busy malls, supermarkets and restaurants. The alert is a response to statements made by the same man whose words put U.S. banks on alert two weeks ago — captured bin Laden aide Abu Zubaydah.

According to sources, Zubaydah told interrogators that al-Qaeda operatives were discussing attacks on "soft targets," meaning non-governmental buildings and places where large numbers of Americans gather. Although investigators remain leery of anything Zubaydah says, they don't want to discount his remarks entirely. So, instead of issuing a public warning that might turn out to be a false alarm, this time they passed the message along to local police chiefs and mayors discreetly.

Meanwhile, the bureau is about to send more agents to Spain, to help Spanish authorities pull together tantalizing evidence of a thriving al-Qaeda network based there prior to Sept. 11. For one thing, the FBI wants to determine exactly whom 9/11 ringleader Mohamed Atta met with when he visited Spain in July, 2001. One person they suspect he may have linked up with is Ramzi Binalshibh, a member of the Hamburg al-Qaeda cell and a former roommate of Atta's, who visited Spain at the same time.

Binalshibh, a Yemeni who sent money from Germany to 9/11 hijackers and also to accused terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui, hasn?t been seen since he flew from Hamburg to Madrid on Sept. 5. Investigators believe he made his way to the border regions of Pakistan and is still hiding there. But if the FBI can establish whether Binalshibh and Atta were in Spain together — and find out who else was with them — they may be able to warm up the trail.

[mhking]

Here we go again...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

The captured bin Laden aide puts the FBI on alert again

Great, here's the FBI crying wolf again. It's amazing that a spy agency has no concept of what disinformation is.

[South Hawthorne]

You know, I’d just assumed that our “interviews” with Zubaydah were conducted after 18 hour rubber hose thrashings alternated with near fatal doses of sodium pentathol, but based on the accuracy of the information that is released, now I’m not so sure.

Owl _ Eagle
“Guns before butter.”

[Semper Paratus]

CYA.

[Trust but Verify]

That's all it is.

Why don't we just admit that if someone wants to explode themselves in a crowded public gathering, there is nothing that can be done to prevent it?

[SamAdams76]

So what color alert are we on now? Green? Red? Blue? Orange? Does anybody even keep track of this?

Tom Ridge's color-coded alert system is the biggest non-starter in government since the "conversion" to the metric system back in the 1970s.

[Helix]

CYA.

..with a 100ft tarp!

/overkill

[blam]

"CYA."

Yup. (we told you what we know)

[Don Myers]

This dude, Zubaydah, is sitting in jail having a fine time with us.

[Don Myers]

"You know, I’d just assumed that our “interviews” with Zubaydah were conducted after 18 hour rubber hose thrashings alternated with near fatal doses of sodium pentathol, but based on the accuracy of the information that is released, now I’m not so sure."

More likely, he is getting steak and lobster for dinner and dancing girls to make sure he can go to sleep at night.

[Don Myers]

"...this time over "soft targets" "

These anti-terrorist people are totally lost in their maybes and "technical jargon." The whole country is a "soft target."

[Don Myers]

"Tom Ridge's color-coded alert system is the biggest non-starter in government since the "conversion" to the metric system back in the 1970s."

That can be said of the whole "Homeland Defense" crap that he is running.

[South Hawthorne]

More likely, he is getting steak and lobster for dinner and dancing girls to make sure he can go to sleep at night.

Hate to say it but you’re probably right. I’m embarrassed to say that I thought we were keeping him in an undisclosed foreign location so as not to have to worry about his “civil rights”. Looks like other "humanitarian" considerations were the driving factor here.

Excuse me while I get sick…

Owl _ Eagle
“Guns before butter.”

[AmericaUnited]

large apartment buildings, as well as busy malls, supermarkets and restaurants.

Thank God they have narrowed it down to only 12,262,922 places.

[Orual]

Law enforcement sources tell TIME that the bureau has sent word to its field offices and 56 federal terrorism task forces that they should advise local officials to tighten security around large apartment buildings, as well as busy malls, supermarkets and restaurants.

That really narrows it down and engenders a real feeling of security.

[dawn53]

Right you are!

I was in a Super WalMart yesterday, thousands of people, it looked like an ant hive.

Now how would they tighten up security there. Train those elderly Walmart greeters to spot suspicious characters. I don't think so.

We cannot prepare for terrorists attacks on soft targets, anymore than the Israeli's can prepare. It's a crap shoot!

[Beenliedto]

Law enforcement sources tell TIME that the bureau has sent word to its field offices and 56 federal terrorism task forces that they should advise local officials to tighten security around large apartment buildings, as well as busy malls, supermarkets and restaurants.

If it appears that these people have nothing to do..

Then there is no need for them to be doing it...

Sounds like job security, doncha' know?

[Savage Beast]

Of course CYA is part of it, but the absence of terrorist attacks in the U.S. since Sept. 11 is due to the vigilance and aggressiveness of the Bush Administration--certainly not to inactivity of the terrorists.

Maybe the attention to detail including public warnings prevented bioterror attacks using stolen crop-dusters a few months ago.

Maybe public warnings are part of what's preventing terrorist attacks. When they issue a warning, even a vague one, we should take heed as much as we can. We must remain vigilant. That's the price we have to pay.

[Trust but Verify]

Funny, but it seems to me that Israel, one of the most militarized countries in the world has had quite a few of these homicidal maniacs succeed.

If you really believe we can prevent this from happening in a HUGE and open country as ours, you're mistaken. We may be able to stop a lot of bad acts, but not all.

9/11 is proof of it.

[mhking]

I was in a Super WalMart yesterday, thousands of people, it looked like an ant hive.

Super Wal-Marts always look like an anthill on Saturdays!

[Trust but Verify]

Ooops. Then there was OKC.

[Trust but Verify]

And little Lukey Helder......

[dawn53]

First time I was ever in one. I avoid large department stores, I can get what I need from smaller merchants. But my sister in law was here from Canada and wanted to visit one.

What a madhouse!!!! I think it was my first and last trip to a Super anything.

[kinghorse]

A captured Al Qaeda exercising protocol? These guys were trained in methods of inflicting harm and economic loss through the spreading of disinformation, this is obvious. Why post this drivel?

[Kate22]

But the problem is that there's always someone to take their place and the root problem can't be solved through any of the methods that you mention.

[boris]

"Great, here's the FBI crying wolf again. It's amazing that a spy agency has no concept of what disinformation is."

Eventually they will, you know, be correct.

--Boris

[null and void]

So what color alert are we on now? Green? Red? Blue? Orange? Does anybody even keep track of this?

Does anyone even know how to find out what the color du jour is? Puce? Mauve? Chartreuse?

[agrandis]

It may even be more than disinformation. It may be directions.

[DAnconia55]

Why don't we just admit that if someone wants to explode themselves in a crowded public gathering, there is nothing that can be done to prevent it?

If we were all armed, we could get them in the parking lots...

[biffalobull]

So what color alert are we on now? Green? Red? Blue? Orange? Does anybody even keep track of this?

Sam, you have got to start taking these official warnings much more seriously.

One of these times they might get it right.

Just to let you know how serious I am about it, I am not going to the mall today to buy the new set of golf clubs I got for my birthday.

And if you believe that, I will tell you where Osama is. I heard he was in Vegas tring for the jackpot on the nickel machines.

Have a good day buddy.

[DAnconia55]

If you really believe we can prevent this from happening in a HUGE and open country as ours, you're mistaken. We may be able to stop a lot of bad acts, but not all.

Then the only other tactical answer is make them not want to do it.

If they ever set off a nuke here... we take the top 10 cities of the arab world out. 10:1 retribution.

And then ask them if they'd like to play again.

[Dialup Llama]

>Why don't we just admit that if someone wants to explode themselves in a crowded public gathering, there is nothing that can be done to prevent it?

If Bush doesn't want this country to become a jungle he can drain the swamp- send the large communities of middle eastern illegals and hostiles BACK to where they came from.

But of course no one would actually think of protecting the borders and enforcing visa limits. Noooo. Instead we get color codes and pat down 70 year old grandmas at the airport.

[Squantos]

When we look at the alternative of such as the patriot act style laws forced on law abidding citizens in the US of A one has to appreaciate the the idea of maintaining a foreign prison for foreigners. Humanitarian ,bunny hugging ,feel good ,PC BS aspects aside I say if yer gonna be unconstitutional with a known terrorist.........do it outside the CONUS so such as the ACLU etc etc has to swim at some point to protect this murdering trash.

FiBi's in this case (IMHO) are using the obvious (duh.... where are all the sheeple ?) to promote their modern version of Bert the Turtle's , duck and cover concept........... I ain't buying it. When such scenarios are presented to the general public via alledged "leaks" it is not for our safety...........

........... just my opinion of course...........Stay Safe !

[SteamshipTime]

A decentralized threat calls for decentralized security, like passage of a national "must issue" CCW.

Yeah, that'll be the day.

[Eastbound]

"One was shot in the head by an alert civilian."

Civilians, take note.

[Dialup Llama]

>Funny, but it seems to me that Israel, one of the most militarized countries in the world has had quite a few of these homicidal maniacs succeed.

Unlike Israel, we have to import our terorists, put them on the dole and provide them with false IDs with our "wink and a nod" open borders policy.

The Llama solution is to drain the swamp and send the middle eastern hostiles home.

[aculeus]

That really narrows it down and engenders a real feeling of security.

Avoid crowds of Americans. Shop in Canada.

[BraveMan]

We are currently under Current Nationwide Threat Level:
Click the image below to access the Homeland Security website.

[Dialup Llama]

I just drank some iced tea. I feel kind of elevated. Then I move to the manic phase and then to the 'blue' phase.

[peekaboo]

This manner of color coding is not new. It has been used for years in large emergency rooms and busy medical facilities. The colors denote the severity of the case(s), triaged. It seems that no matter what it is that Ridge and Bush attempt to plan, there will always be room for criticism. I think they are on the right track by giving us some designation, how the people want to synthesize this information is up to the individual. I have taught my grandsons the triage colors because they had the curiosty to ask what it all means. Perhaps some day it will have more meaning to the critics, in the meantime I am grateful that attention has been given to this designation. We should all help the children because from now on this is going to be the norm. Our world as we knew it, is no more. I am not pessimistic but I am a firm believer that knowing is better than not believing at all.

[SamAdams76]

Kind of like rating wine on the following scale:

Superb
Great
Excellent
Very Good
Good

And just as meaningless too!

[folklore]

The metric system is great. I run in meters and drink in liters. I now run less and drink more. I hope Billy, Hilly, and Chilly are not going wedding shopping today.

[johnny7]

Exactly. They are suicial butchers but they're very patient.

9/11 took at least 5 years to pull-off.

I'm sure there are numerous cells in the US that are actively working to pull-off another.

[peekaboo]

Thanks for the web site. Now I know who has been designated by Gov. Foster to be our Representative. Thanks again.

[Psalm 73]

"Civilians, take note."

Good point, Eastbound.
Many with CCW's (me included) don't carry all of the time.
If you can but don't, now would be a good time to start.

[johnny7]

I guess severe is when you see a huge mushroom cloud outside your bedroom window.

No need to worry folks, FEMA has plenty of lye and bodybags.

[Hoosier Patriot]

Does anyone even know how to find out what the color du jour is? Puce? Mauve? Chartreuse?

I think we're currently under "yellow." However, word has it that last night after his dinner, Zubaydah spewed forth with some new tidbits of info that briefly caused the level to spike as high as plaid/herringbone on the intensity scale!

It was later determined that he had simply been given a bit too much wine with his dinner.