OK, I'll be more specific: Even I could make chemical and biological weapons. Fifty million people, who are very determined to inflict harm on US citizens, can do the same. Perhaps you prefer to underestimate enemies?
Two hundred pounds of glassware, a house-hold heating/air-conditioner system, some pumps, and some compressors does not constitute "significant infrastructure". All of this stuff is dirt cheap and easily available.
"The research personnel come from where?", you might ask. They are trained right here in our own schools. Books can be found all over the internet and in every bookstore.
I think you don't grasp how easy it is to manufacture these weapons .... much easier than conventional arms. If this were not the case, why ground the crop dusters?
OK, I'll be more specific: Even I could make chemical and biological weapons. Fifty million people, who are very determined to inflict harm on US citizens, can do the same. Perhaps you prefer to underestimate enemies?
No I do not wish to underestimate anyone, but for nearly a year now we've been talking about complicate scenarios involving rogue state terrorist attack ("We need missile defense"), and the terrorist went for an incredibly simplistic attack that we never anticipated. It is in fact those focused on complicated methods of attack that are underestimating our enemy.
Two hundred pounds of glassware, a house-hold heating/air-conditioner system, some pumps, and some compressors does not constitute "significant infrastructure". All of this stuff is dirt cheap and easily available.
I would disagree, in that in total the education, research (you have to practice growing the stuff to get it right), and processing materials necessary are complicated. It does not fit this particular group's modus operendi (Latin sp?). I have never said that it is impossible, but rather that the puzzle piece doesn't fit here.
"The research personnel come from where?", you might ask. They are trained right here in our own schools. Books can be found all over the internet and in every bookstore.
Time, time, time, time. Although these people are obviously patient, I don't think the years (4 for the BS degree, 8 for the PhD) would be considered worthwhile.
I think you don't grasp how easy it is to manufacture these weapons .... much easier than conventional arms. If this were not the case, why ground the crop dusters?
I don't think you have considered how complex the scenario you have laid out is. I don't think it is something we should ignore. If we can conceive it, they can probably do it. But these particular people used a brilliantly simple plan to destroy the WTC and kill 6000+ Americans. It is far more conceivable to obtain 500 gallons of gasoline and a crop duster than it is to go through any of the gyrations that you describe.
Please don't misunderstand me. We must be vigilant on all fronts. However, I think the focus on complicated methods of attack is severely misguided.
From what I've read, making anthrax and making anthrax into an aresol solution to kill mass amounts of people from a crop duster are two very different things. The latter requires a lot of money and specialized equipment.