Last October, the Yemeni government came to the CIA with a request: Could the agency collect intelligence that might help target the network of a U.S.-born al-Qaida recruiter named Anwar al-Awlaki? What happened next is haunting, in light of subsequent events.
The CIA concluded that it could not assist the Yemenis in locating al-Awlaki for a possible capture operation. The primary reason was that the agency lacked specific evidence that he threatened the lives of Americans — which is the threshold for any capture-or-kill operation against a U.S. citizen. The Yemenis also wanted U.S. Special Forces' help in pursuing al-Awlaki; that, too, was refused.
Even if the CIA had obtained hard evidence in October that al-Awlaki was a threat, and Special Forces had been authorized for a capture operation, permission from the National Security Council would have been needed.
That's because any use of lethal force against a "U.S. person," such as al-Awlaki, requires White House review.
*****************************
White House review...
I say they knew.
**********
Judge's ruling links CIA to prosecution of OKC bombing conspirator Timothy McVeigh
******************
Something most of us already knew and are deeply suspicious of.
***************
Excerpt:
Global Conservation Act Introduced
Even as six federal agencies conduct conservation programs around the globe, the U.S. government still lacks a coordinated, overarching strategy for stopping the environmental destruction. The Global Conservation Act would mandate such a strategy. Under the coordination of the White House, the bill requires that agencies come up with a plan to:
-- Protect millions of square miles of land and sea,
-- Address illegal and unregulated fishing around the world,
-- Safeguard the natural sources of fresh water to several major population centers around the world,
-- Stop the worst wildlife trafficking operations, and
-- Stabilize environmental destruction trends in areas vulnerable to conflict and instability.
The bill identifies a coordinator in the executive branch to ensure action and encourages the administration to secure additional funding and support for a global conservation strategy from other countries--including European nations, Japan, China, and India. It is cosponsored by Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Dave Reichert (R-WA), Norman Dicks (D-WA), James Moran (D-VA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Judy Biggert (R-IL), and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).
"The Global Conservation Act of 2010 presents a wonderful opportunity for genuine and effective bipartisan cooperation on prudent, cost-effective environmental stewardship. I am proud to join in this worthy effort to help protect some of our world's most fragile and magnificent ecosystems," said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill.
*************
We need to start paying attention to this. This is dangerous
**********************
That would be Obama's watch?!
Chicago Taxi Driver Charged With Attempting to Fund Al Qaeda
The 56-year-old Raja Lahrasib Khan was charged with two counts of providing material support to terrorism.
CHICAGO — Federal prosecutors charged a Chicago cab driver on Friday with attempting to provide funds for explosives to Al Qaeda and discussing a possible bomb attack on an unspecified stadium in the United States this summer.
Raja Lahrasib Khan, 56, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Pakistani origin, was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/26/chicago-taxi-driver-charged-attempting-fund-al-qaeda/
*************
We need to start paying attention to this. This is dangerous
**********************
~Absolutely! Anything with the al-Awlaki stamp
and...
US convicted 403 for international terror since 2001
http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_convicted_403_for_international__03262010.html
Will Barack Obama Ignite the Third Intifada?
http://danielgordis.org/2010/03/26/obama-intifada/