Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Twenty-Three

[nwctwx]

Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Thread Twenty-Three (Index)

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Google News : Google Images : News Hotlinks

The Threat Matrix

The title refers to a daily report given to the president of the United States detailing the most serious terrorist threats against the country. To tackle those threats, the government has formed a top-notch task force to infiltrate the terror cells and cut off the danger.

"Every morning, the president receives a list of the top ten terrorist threats - this list is known as the threat matrix."

We here at FR are trying to be in conjunction with the daily reports around the world that involve threats. We try to provide a storehouse of information that takes hours of research.

YOU be the judge and get informed!

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LNG ship attack a potential disaster
Full Story

WASHINGTON - A terrorist attack on a tanker loaded with liquefied natural gas could cause massive damage a third of a mile away and could send a vapor cloud billowing more than 1.5 miles, government scientists say.

With the the nation clamoring for more natural gas, policy-makers are trying to figure out how to safely import large quantities of liquefied natural gas or LNG.

Related:
Terror attack the top danger of LNG transport, study finds
Google Search: "LNG"

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"I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat."

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Threat Matrix "TM'er" Tips	Link to Thread Twenty-Two "Code Red Implications: Code Red - Stay Home and Await Word." From Tm'er and Freeper ~MamaDearest~	Cindy's Links of Interest
TM Code of Conduct		ExSoldier's Invaluable Tips
TM's 'Be on the Lookout'		Godzilla's Summaries
Threat Matrix Book List		Arabic Image Links

[Godzilla]

creepy thought - they used those big lasers to make a world trade center in light didn't they recently? My memory is gone.

Conventional high intensity spot lights - a bunch of them

[Godzilla]

By kids, I've expanded that to include college age on a prank. Granted I don't think it is the pen-light sized things commonly out there. The green vs red does bother me.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[freeperfromnj]

I don't recall seeing the NJ incident in earlier posts. I apologize if it's already been posted.

Authorities Investigate Report Of Laser Beams Aimed At Plane In N.J.

POSTED: 10:31 am EST December 31, 2004

TRENTON, N.J. -- The FBI is investigating an incident in which lasers were apparently aimed at a pilot preparing to land at Teterboro Airport.

The pilot, who has not been identified, reported that three green lasers were pointed into his cockpit Wednesday night. They were believed to have originated in the vicinity of Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, said Bill Maer, a spokesman for the Passaic County Sheriff's Office.

The pilot saw the lasers on his approach to Teterboro, according to Maer.

The plane, a corporate-owned Cessna Citation with 13 people aboard, was about 11 miles from the airport when the incident occurred, authorities said. It landed safely and no injuries were reported.

The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the incident Thursday, according to spokesmen with both organizations. New Jersey State Police, the county sheriff's office and the Wayne police department were also involved in the investigation.

Several recent incidents involving laser beams aimed at aircraft have raised concerns about possible terrorist activity. A federal law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that the FBI is investigating six incidents that have occurred in the last four days around the country.

On Monday, one incident involving a commercial jet occurred about 15 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and two pilots reported seeing laser beams near Colorado Springs. All three planes landed safely. Law enforcement officials also said a laser was aimed at a plane landing in Medford, Ore., on Christmas night.

No arrests have been reported. Interfering with a commercial flight is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Laser beams can distract or temporarily blind a pilot. They can only enter a plane through glass, according to Dr. Linda Connell, director of the Aviation Safety Reporting System at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, which analyzes reports from pilots, flight attendants and other airplane personnel. Some pilots have reported the beams have richoceted around a plane's cockpit, and at least one has reported suffering an eye injury, Connell said.

The FBI and Homeland Security Department have sent a memo to law enforcement agencies stating that there is evidence that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons, though there has been no specific intelligence indicating terrorist group plan to use lasers in the United States.

"That is the real dilemma," Connell said. "Is this kids with pranks, or something that is more of a challenge to the system?"

Lasers are featured in outdoor light shows and are used by construction companies to line up foundations. The FAA mandates that laser light shows must register their locations and the lights cannot be directed above 3,000 feet.

[mindspy]

That's an interesting question. Either way we're screwed.

[Right_Handed_Writer]

Just sent the following to the FBI tip site:

Observed a man standing at approximately 4940 N Milwaukee ave. in Chicago, across from the Jefferson Park CTA terminal. He was a big man, carrying his weight in his stomach/chest, about 40 years old, 6'2"-6'4", 250-280lbs, dark skinned, not African-American, possibly North African, black hair, full black beard and moustache. Wearing black pants, long black overcoat, with a black sweater. Had a red scarf(?), gold trimmed, hanging out of his left hand coat pocket. The individual had a still photography camera with a zoom lens, photographing buses exiting the terminal but took more photos of the Metra train station on the second level of the terminal. This occurred at approximately 12:00 noon on December 31st. Once he noticed I was observing him, he pulled his overcoat closed over the camera and proceeded west into the empty parking lot for TCF National Bank.

My wife was the one who saw him and came home with the info. Of all the times for her to just run to the bank without her cell phone! This guy was also being watched by another man on a bike who was also noting this suspicious activity. This terminal is a major public transportation hub for the entire North side of Chicago.

[freeperfromnj]

Sounds very strange -- glad you reported it. Yesterday's incident that they are now calling a hoax didn't sit well with me either. It also involved a bus station. The caller threatened that many would die. They didn't find anything on the bus or at the base but the content of that threatening call is still on my mind.

[JustPiper]

Storm may tame excessive revelry in Reno-Tahoe area


"The bad weather will make it difficult getting to Tahoe. That will delay some, but it's an enticement for others who like to come up and ski," he said.

With 2-3 feet of snow on the ground Thursday at lake level, forecasters were calling for up to 4 feet more by midnight Friday, accompanied by temperatures approaching the teens and gusty winds.

U.S. 50, which is shut down for the celebration, was closed part of Thursday by blizzard-like conditions.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/11896099p-12783040c.html

[JustPiper]

OMG Jeff Pk terminal, note to TM'rs you can hop on an elevated train here and its but a 15 min ride to O'Hare, did you call "Chicago" FBI? They are really caring! Any report to 16 ... right down the street? We were involved as witnesses in an accident/homicide last summer and chased the hit/run driver, caught an unmarked car pulling out of 16 and the chase was on...

[JustPiper]

Key leader of al-Zarqawi network captured in Baghdad
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/12/31/iraq.zarqawi.aid/index.html

[JustPiper]

Laser beams can temporarily blind or disorient pilots and possibly cause a plane to crash.

The FBI is looking into two incidents in Colorado Springs, Colo., and one each in Cleveland, Washington, Houston, Teterboro, N.J., and Medford, Ore., according to federal and local law enforcement and transportation officials, some of whom spoke only on condition of anonymity.

Source: The Associated Press and
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142867,00.html

[JustPiper]

Attack With Dirty Bomb More Likely, Officials Say

Often called a weapon of mass disruption, not destruction, a dirty bomb -- which uses conventional explosives to spread radioactive material -- causes far fewer casualties than a nuclear explosion. But because such devices are easier to assemble and the ingredients are readily available, government officials and terrorism experts consider a dirty-bomb attack more likely than a terrorist nuclear strike.

"You would need a stick of dynamite and the kind of radioactive source you find in a common smoke detector," said Charles D. Ferguson, co-author of "The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism."

There have been several alleged attempts to carry out a dirty-bomb attack.

Source: The Washington Post


Terror Suspects Appear Before Cuba Panel

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Dec 30, 2004 — Two suspected members of the al-Qaida terrorist network and an alleged Taliban official appeared Wednesday before U.S. military review tribunals in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

A 29-year-old prisoner appeared who was accused of leading some Taliban soldiers in northern Afghanistan in 2001, said Capt. Beci Brenton, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

The tribunals also heard from a 27-year-old prisoner who was identified as an al-Qaida member by a guard in the terrorist network, Brenton said. The detainee allegedly altered his passport to eliminate evidence of travel to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Source: The Associated Press
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=370467

Bin Laden Call Met By Wave of Bloodshed

Dozens of Iraqi policemen and soldiers were killed yesterday as insurgents launched a wave of attacks on police stations and checkpoints north of Baghdad in territory dominated by supporters of Saddam Hussein.

The attacks, which cost the lives of up to 30 policemen and members of the fledgling national guard, as well as several civilians, came hours after a tape purporting to be from Osama bin Laden was broadcast urging Iraqis to "do their duty" and fight the Americans and their "infidel" allies.

The tape also called for a boycott of next month's elections.

Source: The Daily Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/12/29/wirq29.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/12/29/ixworld.html

Alert on Terror Nests in Africa

MILITANT groups, including al-Qaida, are exploiting lawless areas in the seven-nation Horn of Africa region to hide, recruit and train members and possibly plan attacks.

The head of the region's US-led anti-terrorist force, Major General Samuel Helland, said they were using the fact there was a lot of ungoverned space in the area.

"Because of (this) . . . it's very easy for a terrorist organisation to establish a presence . . . It's very easy for them to train, equip, organise and use the facilities that are present to gain a foothold," he said.

Source: Reuters
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11798861%255E663,00.html

[JustPiper]

Inspirational read:

FIRST PERSON SURVIVOR STORY
'An angel must have been watching'
American woman in Thailand eyewitness to devastation

The following is a first-person account of survival from Lorna Schroeder, who has been living in Phuket, Thailand, with her husband, Curt, for over 15 years. Schroeder's brother is Dave Scholl, publisher of Dixon's Independent Voice in Dixon, Calif., who submitted this e-mail account.

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42193

[JustPiper]

India's last active volcano erupts on Andamans

Thursday, 30 December , 2004, 16:07

Port Blair: India's last active volcano, in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, has erupted in the aftermath of the huge earthquake that set off tsunamis killing thousands of people, official sources said on Thursday.

People have been evacuated from Barren Island since the eruption began on Tuesday night and there were no reports of injury.

http://sify.com/news/othernews/fullstory.php?id=13639719

Is anyone documenting all the weird weather/disaster events?

[JustPiper]

Manhattan in need of a snow plow in 20th Century Fox's The Day After Tomorrow - 2004.

The Big Apple is frozen solid

Seawater takes Manhattan

A tidal wave barrells towards Manhattan

Say "bye-bye" to La-La Land

New Delhi is pelted by hail

Movie Mom's Review -VG review

[Cindy]

Thank you Right_Handed_Writer.
You did what I would have done
if I saw that.

[Cindy]

OFF TOPIC...

A Blessed New Year to all Freepers, all TMers, all good guy/gal lurkers.
===
===

http://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm

http://www.annieshomepage.com/newyears.html

http://www.joyfulheart.com/new-years/new-year.htm

http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/newyear.html

http://www.babycenter.com/general/baby/babyritual/9912.html

http://newyears.earthcam.com/

http://rosebowl.com/

http://allrecipes.com/advice/coll/entertain/features/newyears.asp

[Oorang]

Mexico: Six flights were diverted from Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport (MMMX/MEX) during the night of 30 December 2004, after a power failure resulted in a blackout of runway lighting. The power failure began at approximately 2145 local time (0345 UTC) and power was restored at approximately 2230 local time (0430 UTC).

The flights affected were diverted to airports in Acapulco, Morelia and Bajio. Electricity and lighting were not affected in other areas of the airport, and it is not known what caused the power failure. An investigation into the incident continues.

http://www.airsecurity.com/hotspots/hotspots.asp#102557

[Oorang]

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS Colombia: The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá issued the following warning message on 30 December 2004: "This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the possibility of increased terrorist activity in connection with the publicity surrounding the possible extradition of FARC member Simon Trinidad.

Although the Embassy has received no specific threats or information about future terrorist activities, U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a heightened level of vigilance and to continue practicing good security measures during this time, including during the New Year's weekend."

http://www.airsecurity.com/hotspots/hotspots.asp#102557

[Oorang]

Considering the neck of the woods this report is from, it just doesn't sit right with me. Hmmm.

31 December 2004 Friday
18 Ziqa'ad 1425

Intelligence wing of NAB abolished
By Zulfiqar Ali

PESHAWAR, Dec 30: The federal government on Thursday wound up the intelligence wing of the National Accountability Bureau across the country, officials said.

NAB regional director Brig Hadeed confirmed the abolition of the intelligence wing. The wing consisted of retired and serving officials of the Inter-Service Intelligence and was functioning in the headquarters and four regional offices in the country.

The wing had been set up to collect data about corrupt practices of those officials and politicians who possess assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

Official sources said that the retired officers appointed for the intelligence wing on the contract basis were relieved on Thursday. The in-service personnel were directed to resume the duties they performed before they were transferred to the intelligence wing.

http://www.dawn.com/2004/12/31/top9.htm