Linking Al-Qaida to D.C. sniper attacks

TownHall.com ^ | October 16, 2002 | Jonah Goldberg

[xsysmgr]

In the wake of recent al-Qaida-related attacks on U.S. Marines in Kuwait, a French tanker off the coast of Yemen and a horrendous bombing on the Indonesian island of Bali, President Bush told reporters Monday, "It does look like a pattern of attacks that the enemy, albeit on the run, is trying to once again frighten and kill freedom-loving people."

Apparently, President Bush wasn't referring to the murder of the freedom-loving people of the Washington, D.C., suburbs.

For once I have to admit that I am impressed with the media's restraint. When we were in the midst of anthrax mania last year, the media was completely unhinged in its speculation -understandable given the circumstances -that we were under assault by bin Laden's goons. Today, there is almost as much evidence to believe the murders taking place -not far from my home, by the way -are al-Qaida related, but the press has played down that angle almost to the point of total silence.

Now, I believe the terror attacks are probably either al-Qaida orchestrated or inspired. But I admit this is like saying "rain is likely tomorrow." If it doesn't rain it's hardly surprising. So I will not be stunned if it turns out I'm wrong.

That said, here's why I think the D.C. sniper shootings should be added to the lengthening list of al-Qaida assaults. First, the list is growing. In recent weeks there have been attacks not only in Bali and Kuwait and on the French tanker (which took place on the anniversary of the USS Cole attack) but also in the Philippines, Chechnya and Afghanistan. Also, several other terrorist assaults have reportedly been foiled in recent weeks. Moreover, these attacks haven't been random; al-Qaida has claimed credit for these crimes. Statements in the forms of letters, audiotapes, videotapes and intercepted communications, some allegedly from Ayman al Zawahiri, Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden, have explicitly detailed what amounts to a new fall offensive against the United States and its allies.

If you look at the timeline for these attacks and statements, beginning in late September, the D.C. sniper fits perfectly into the flow. Of course, it could be a coincidence. The New York Yankees got knocked out of the playoffs around the same time, but nobody thinks that was part of the al-Qaida offensive (or do they…?).

But the nature of these attacks makes a coincidence seem unlikely. First, there are reports of two men. While professional snipers tend to work in sniper teams, serial killers tend to work alone. The D.C. sniper is demonstrating many of the skills and techniques taught at al-Qaida's terrorist training camps, including hit-and-run attacks and facility with military weapons. Also, eyewitnesses say the sniper is an "olive-skinned man" -not that anyone wants to racially profile.

Also, there's the fact that the sniper attacks are in and around Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. The coincidence that this is happening at the seat of the U.S. government is relevant.

Then there's the crime itself. In the United States, sadly, serial killers seem to follow patterns dictated by either sexual desire or identity politics. The D.C. snipers aren't abducting little girls or killing black boys; their victims have been of every race, age and gender. This fact, by the way, prompted The Washington Post to run the offensive headline: "5 shooting victims reflect Montgomery's growing diversity."

In many ways, while these sniper attacks are not nearly as horrendous as the Sept. 11 attacks, they are more "terroristic" in that they are keeping people in fear for longer. The murder of a schoolboy has put many parents on edge for weeks. Even the most level-headed people (referring here to myself, of course) do a little dance or scope out the horizon when pumping gas or going shopping. This terror is precisely what bin Laden and others want. They've spoken openly about punishing innocent Americans the way America has allegedly punished innocent Afghans and Iraqis.

This could all be hot air (it could also be the work of Saddam Hussein trying to make America change its focus back to al-Qaida). But one of the most important things to keep in mind is that al-Qaida is surely watching. For terrorism, this has been cheap and remarkably effective. And the one thing we know about al-Qaida is that it is not afraid to pick up "good" ideas wherever it finds them.

Jonah Goldberg is editor of National Review Online, a TownHall.com member

[joesnuffy]

The 'media' seems more intent on fighting the crime of legal gun ownership,blaming veterans, deer hunters, and white males than it does fighting al -Qaeda......

[ClancyJ]

Well!! Here's hoping Al Qaeda does not read this article.

It is amazing to me that the media, feeling all so important in their efforts to bring ALL to the public, write articles to inflame, suggest, promote, reveal, leak any information - all the while denying that their actions could have any influence on the actions of terrorists or criminals. If they have so little power over the minds of others - why do they bother to write at all?

If they bother to write - wouldn't you think they would consider the power of the pen and what the results might be?

Or, are they just pompous individuals exerting their right for freedom of speech no matter the cost to that public they seek to tell ALL to? Such utter disregard for those that make their efforts possible - their readers.

(No sleep rant over)

[marktwain]

It looks like Mr. Goldberg reads Freerepublic. The populace should be armed and carry binoculars. There are reports of witnesses to the last shooting, but I notice that no one actually did anything.

[syriacus]

Nice post. Thank you.

I agree. The actions of the shooters fit in with what is written in the Al Qaeda Training Manual

..missions consist of the following:

1. Gathering information about the enemy, the land, the installations, and the neighbors.
[Perpetrators seem to know the area--do some cell-members work at gas stations? Do some have access to vans used in delivery services or airport transfer or vans that are "being repaired" in local gas stations?] [snip]

3. Assassinating enemy personnel as well as foreign tourists.
[Wasn't the woman who was shot the other night an employee of the FBI, working on terrorism?]

6. Blasting and destroying the places of amusement, immorality, and sin.
[Michael's figures prominently in the preparations for infidel American celebrations.]

7. Blasting and destroying the embassies and attacking vital economic centers.
[If a few gas stations explode in the outskirts of DC there will be mayhem and precious emergency resources might be directed away from DC. It was harder to fight against the Great Chicago Fire because the firefighters were exhausted from fighting 2 fires the day before and many other fires in the previous days.]

[maestro]

Interesting post & article!
Thank you!

..............but the press has played down that angle almost to the point of total silence......................

Yes,..........the 'silence' is Deafening!

A terrorist 'is' a terrorist.
A terrorist team 'is' a terrorist team.
A Terrorist Network 'is' a TERRORIST NETWORK!

("Birds of a Feather 'is' together")

[Maceman]

Also, eyewitnesses say the sniper is an "olive-skinned man" -not that anyone wants to racially profile.

Of course, it was only a few days ago that EVERY talking head and expert -- without a single bit of evidence -- was speculating that the sniper (as if there were just one) was a white male.

If there were a rash of unsolved car jackings, what media talking head would dare suggest -- with no evidence -- that the perp was most likely to be a black man?

[valkyrieanne]

I suppose those in the media can cross their fingers and report an Arab or Middle-Eastern terrorist as a "white male," since technically Arabs, Iranians, and Iraqis are white, i.e. of the Caucasian race.

My bet is on some Al-Qaeda or related group, too.

As far as the anthrax episodes, why couldn't those have been related to Islamic terrorism? We have thousands of Middle-Eastern and Islamic-state nationals studying biology in our universities. Some graduate students or post-doctoral fellows could have done the deeds and have been long gone out of the country by now.

[mondonico]

Ping

[AmericanInTokyo]

How kind of you. thanks for the ping.....

[Do Be]

It used to be, "The butler did it."

Now it's, "The white guy did it."

According to the media, all evil, in the past or in the present, is the fault of the white guy.

Even when it is discovered that the white guy had nothing to do with it, it will still be the white guy's fault.

[Gritty]

The media is overwhelmingly Liberal. This should come as no surprise.

[ninenot]

Don't forget the possibility of Saddam, who had at least a couple of his military-types in the USA and involved in the OKC bomb.

BTW, Saddam won't take credit--and nobody has taken credit yet, have they?