U.S. Intercepting Messages Hinting at a New Attack

The New York Times ^ | 5/18/02 (for editions of 5/19/02) | James Risen and David Johnston

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Why is information about these intercepts being made public?

Because the balloon is going up here, almost immediately, just as it is going up in India this weekend.

[Washington_minuteman]

"Dammit. Protect my family... PROFILE!!"

Why stop there? How's this for a scheme to protect your family:

All non-terrorists should surrender their firearms and the military should patrol the streets of each and every city and town. Ask the United Nations for assistance in this, if necessary. Establish curfews, travel restrictions and checkpoints. Ration everything from fuel to food and water. Demand a national biometeric ID card and centralized database to identify all law-abiding citizens. Require the card be presented to enguage in all forms of commerce and travel. Round-up everyone who refuses to go along with these programs to make you feel safe, and lock them up in detention camps out in the desert, far away from decent people. Establish programs to recruit and train school children to watch for and report unreliable persons. Make public or private criticism of the government security policies a federal crime.

How's that for protection? Feel safe now?

For me, no thanks. I'll protect my family, myself.

[ET(end tyranny)]

I agree with the release of this inofrmation.

What specifically does it tell you to watch out for??

[nina0113]

Where is Eugene McCarthy when you need him?

I think you mean JOE McCarthy - not "clean with Gene".

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Although officials say some potential attacks have been foiled, that has been largely credited to the arrest of terrorist operatives overseas by foreign governments rather than to intelligence gleaned from intercepted communications.

Message to Bush, Ridge, dims, 'pubs: HELLO!!!!!!

Forget the spy satellites and phone taps. Time to start PROFILING, ARRESTING, AND INTERROGATING!!!

And NOT liberal PC interrogation en between TV breaks, workout breaks, and visits to the law library. I'm talking about old fashioned, ball crushing, EXTREMELY painful interrogation.

Lest things get REALLY OUT OF CONTROL after the next major attack on US soil.

Locked and loaded.

[ASA Vet]

Why is information about these intercepts being made public?

It isn't, but the press must have something to say, so they make it up,
and attibute it to "senior government sources."

[rintense]

Yep. I think July 4th is far too obvious. They are going after large groups of people. My worst fear is that they target schools, and since the school year is almost over... well, let's just say if they target schools, I guarantee that evey able-bodied American will sign up for the armed forces.

But you're right. Sporting events, to me, are huge targets for only one reason- large numbers of people.

[Trust but Verify]

I live within 3 miles of where the MLB All-Star game is being played this year. Maybe I'll just leave town for a few days in July to be on the safe side......

[RnMomof7]

Naw...they check ME everytime I fly...they empty out my carry on..they check my shoes..I must fit some profile..fat white grandmothers are a risk to the nanny state

[Amelia]

I agree with your assessment. It's time to profile.

It's also time to throw out a bunch of people who are here on visas.

[freeperfromnj]

Fox News is breaking a story about suspicious packages found at a Tennessee air show - one arrest - no description.

[The Great Satan]

Could be a little politics in play here. The Dems are screaming, "Why didn't you warn us?" This release gently makes two points: (a) generalized warnings are useless and (b) the War on Terrorism is still Job #1, and the Dems are therefore still in the toilet electorally. If so, good move.

[LouD]

Is it possible that President Clinton is a mole?

He is, at the very least, a weasel, a pig, a chicken, and an ass...

[Dave S]

Why is information about these intercepts being made public?

First of all there is nothing specific in them. More importantly, where have you been during the past week? You think Bush wants to come out after the next attack and say he was briefed about the possibility of additional attacks but didnt announce that to the public? I dont think so.

[FryingPan101]

What do they want anyway?

[TLBSHOW]

Profile deport and jail