is online. You can read the outline there that shows the recommended behaviors of Al-qaeda cell members. Anyone who's read it before might like to take a quick look at it again.It's not a very long read, and it's pretty interesting.
Posted on 10/14/2002 5:59:16 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
So far, speculation that the deadly Beltway sniper is anything but a domestic nutcase with his own twisted personal motives has been largely limited to talk radio and the Internet.
But in Monday's New York Times, renowned columnist William Safire argues that the eight gunshot deaths in the Washington, D.C. area in the last ten days may indeed be the work of Osama bin Laden's global terrorist network.
Though Safire notes that the evidence of an al Qaeda tie is thus far scant, he points out:
• "The venue chosen by the most recent shooter is the capital of the U.S., a primary target of worldwide terrorism."
• "Police have speculated that the sniper might well have an accomplice, perhaps a driver or supplier, which suggests a terrorist cell."
• "The effect of the operation is to strike fear into ordinary Americans at the focal point of the nation's political decision-making and media coverage."
The Times scribe also observes that whether or not the attacks are the work of some global terrorist mastermind, "The stress that Israelis suffer every time they get on a bus is now hitting home to Washingtonians."
And if the deadly Beltway rampage turns out not to be the work of al Qaeda, bin Laden's plotters must be kicking themselves for not being the first to think of an operation of such ingenious simplicity, the conservative columnist says.
He then warns ominously:
"After this current spate of killings is ended, and even if, as expected, the relentless rampage turns out to have been the work of one or two crazies, the example will not be forgotten in the cells of al Qaeda. People in and near the world's great cities will be in danger of similar sieges instigated by terror networks."
He probably will go underground now and either resurface in 6 months or sooner in some other suburban area.
Underestimating the terrorist threat is what caused us to suffer 9/11.
With all due respect, this sniper appears to be much more intelligent than the homicide bombers in Israel and the al-qaeda terrorists who flew planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. After all he/she is apparently still alive and at-large after his attacks.
Taking the arrogant approach that an al-qaeda trained individual is not capable of being the sniper may turn out to be a gross error.
They can "borrow" the vehicles that are in the shop. They know how people behave at gas stations. They know the set-up of gas stations (surveillance cameras, etc.)
Perhaps he's using his weekend to travel to a different area.
2. Tactics are not random. Easy one-shot kills, tactical discipline with one shot, locations selected for quick getaways even though busy public places, suggesting planning. Doesn't sound like nuts, could be AQ.
3. Other nut crimes just like this? Anywhere? The Unabomber is no analogy and anyway his family turned him in.
There is a .223 Kalashnikov (AK).
They wouldn't go to strip joints and get drunk either...but they did.
If the sniper wants to avoid being caught, they will use the cleanest, most untraceable gun available which can get the job done. It may be in this case that a .223 was the most untraceable gun available to the perp which could accomplish the objective.
is online. You can read the outline there that shows the recommended behaviors of Al-qaeda cell members. Anyone who's read it before might like to take a quick look at it again.It's not a very long read, and it's pretty interesting.
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