You know, nine years ago most of us were convinced that al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations were evil masterminds with a vast network of resources, etc. Many people, especially conservatives, thought we needed vast armies to catch the bad guys (and they even mocked reasonable Democrats who urged better law enforcement practices). But lately, and especially in light of … Read More
Faisal Shahzad’s Online Personality
From NRO A YouTube video claiming credit for a “successful” bombing in Times Square was uploaded just hours after the failed attempt, to a web site created the day before. The video was uploaded in Connecticut, where Faisal Shahzad, arrested last night at JFK International, calls home. Like seemingly every modern-day terrorist, Shahzad has a Facebook page (I won’t link … Read More
Sense of Justice Anyone?
As you probably know, federal authorities nabbed the guy who they believe was responsible for the attempted Times Square car-bombing. His name is Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized American citizen, born in Pakistan. The investigation will, of course, continue, given that the suspected terrorist likely had accomplices. Of particular significance are questions about Shahzad's overseas contacts, and yesterday, control of the … Read More
Times Square Car Bomb Attempt Apparently Involves “International” Plot
So much for my lone wingnut theory: The failed car bombing in Times Square increasingly appears to have been coordinated by several people in a plot with international links, Obama administration officials said Tuesday. The disclosure, while tentative, came as the White House intensified its focus on the Saturday incident in New York City, in which explosives inside a Nissan … Read More
The Hurt Locker: NYC
A friend of mine was held (with others) under the Marriott Saturday night while police investigated the scene. It seems to me that with all the webcams trained in on Times Square, catching the culprit should be easy. In fact, if I am not mistaken, this is near a hotel I stayed at last time I went to NY, and there are … Read More
Breaking: Flight to DC Receives Threat; Lands In Greensboro
AP: GREENSBORO, N.C. – Officials say a Continental Airlines flight from Houston to the Washington area has been diverted to North Carolina after a threatening message was written on a bathroom mirror. The Transportation Security Administration says Continental Flight 3006 was headed for Dulles International Airport in Virginia on Wednesday when it was directed to land at Piedmont Triad International Airport … Read More
Breaking: Flight to DC Gets Bomb Threat; Lands In Greensboro
AP: GREENSBORO, N.C. – Officials say a Continental Airlines flight from Houston to the Washington area has been diverted to North Carolina after a threatening message was written on a bathroom mirror. The Transportation Security Administration says Continental Flight 3006 was headed for Dulles International Airport in Virginia on Wednesday when it was directed to land at Piedmont Triad International … Read More
Palin and Obama Spar Over Nuclear Weapons
It all started yesterday when Obama was asked to respond to Palin's comments. Specifically, George Stephanopoulos of "Good Morning America" asked Obama this: STEPHANOPOULOS:I want to get to some of those broader issues [of nuclear proliferation]. Because you're also facing criticism on that. Sarah Palin, taking aim at your decision to restrict the use of nuclear weapons. Your pledge not … Read More
Military Cover-up: Reuters Employees and Civilians Killed in Violation of Rules of Engagement
In 2007, two Reuters employees — photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen and driver Saeed Chmagh — were killed by a U.S. helicopter strike in Baghdad. The U.S. military’s official response to the killings argued that the attack occurred after security forces came under fire from men accompanying the reporters, and that the rules of engagement were followed in returning fire. Skeptical of … Read More
A “Shotgun” Wedding
Here are some pictures of a wedding from the the leading family of Hutaree, the armed Christian group recently arrested in Michigan, accused of plotting to kill police. Clearly, their anti-government leanings went far beyond rhetoric. It was a paramilitary lifestyle choice. Pretty creepy. Creepier still is the fact that prominent right wing bloggers are apologists for them. Would … Read More
What Exactly Is Terrorism Then?
The guy flies an airplane into a federal building. In the online note he left behind, he wrote: I know I’m hardly the first one to decide I have had all I can stand. … I can only hope that the numbers quickly get too big to be white washed and ignored that the American zombies wake up and revolt; … Read More
No Victory Laps
If there's any difference between the Bush/Cheney administration and the Obama administration when it comes to waging war, it's this: the Bush/Cheney folks were quite happy to tout their victories, even prematurely, if it could be used to score political points at home. Remember "Mission Accomplished"? There's no other way to look at this: the capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani … Read More
Bin Laden Comes Out Against…. Global Warning?
Apparently so: Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader, has condemned the US and other industrial economies, holding them responsible for the phenomenon of climate change. In an audio tape obtained by Al Jazeera, bin Laden criticised George Bush, the former US president, for rejecting the Kyoto pact and condemned global corporations. "This is a message to the whole world about … Read More
Interesting Theory About The Christmas Underpants Terrorist
Andrew Sullivan quotes at length from an anonymous reader who has very interesting thoughts on the Christmas underpants terrorist. You can read Sullivan's post here, but I will attempt to summarize. It starts with the question: "Why didn't the terrorist just go to the airplane toilet and blow up the plane from there?" And the suggested answer is that al Qaeda … Read More
Taking A Sad Situation And Making It Be-e-e-ter
I guess the lockdown at the Newark Airport (due to terrorist fears) this past weekend wasn't a total bust: