Official says Qaeda posed plane threat

[BEER980]

U.S. intelligence official says Qaeda posed plane threat
Tue February 17, 2004 03:47 PM ET

By Tabassum Zakaria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Al Qaeda has deployed operatives to hijack planes and fly them into targets in an echo of the Sept. 11 attacks and is looking at derailing trains possibly carrying hazardous material, according to a top U.S. intelligence official. Robert Hutchings, chairman of the National Intelligence Council which reports to the CIA director, did not give details of the plots but provided the most recent public outline from an intelligence official of the al Qaeda threat.

The network, blamed for the Sept 11, 2001, attacks that killed 3,000 people, seeks targets that would strike a blow to the U.S. economy, Hutchings said in a Jan. 14 speech to the International Security Management Association in Arizona, the text of which was posted on Feb. 4 on the NIC's Web site.

"Soft targets, including the U.S. stock market, banks, major companies, and tall buildings are a primary focus of active al Qaeda planning," he said. Those targets are seen as easier to hit than U.S. government buildings and major infrastructure, which have higher security, Hutchings said. Al Qaeda has looked at derailing trains, perhaps carrying hazardous materials, to attack U.S. interests, he said.

Nuclear power plants, water treatment facilities, and other public utilities are high on al Qaeda's target list, he said. The U.S. government is concerned that al Qaeda will try to take its ability to build truck bombs as demonstrated by past attacks in Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, and marry it with toxic or radioactive material to increase the damage and psychological impact of an attack, Hutchings said.

"My biggest worry, however, is how far al Qaeda might have progressed in being able to deploy a chemical, nuclear, or biological weapon against the United States or its allies," he said. U.S. authorities have found several examples of al Qaeda adjusting its tactics to circumvent increased airline security, Hutchings said, without providing details.

"Although we have disrupted several airline plots, we have not eliminated the threat to airplanes," he said. "There are still al Qaeda operatives who we believe have been deployed to hijack planes and fly them into key targets." The United States has beefed up security at airports and on airlines. There were a spate of flight cancellations since late December because of potential threats.

U.S. authorities have succeeded in disrupting the network, Hutchings said. "We have disrupted scores of plots at home and abroad -- plots that were audacious in terms of the numbers of attacks under consideration and their global scope," he said
Source

[Corona]

Yep. These very things were discussed on an open forum for the US Intelligence Oversight Committee which was televised on C-SPAN during the late night hours a few weeks ago. The representative on the panel from Connecticut was yelling at one of the guys testifying from TTIC who wanted to take it 'offline'. The rep said his constituents and the American people should know exactly what's going on, not hide it among only a few people (who can't tell anyone afterwards, so what good does it do). The Chairman was livid and pounding the gavel while all decorum was out the window for a few minutes. Really a rare occasion on C-SPAN. I could tell by the look on John Brennan's face that the state rep from Conn. hit a chord. Those pre-prepped bugout bags don't look so far-fetched now do they?

[BEER980]

Yea if I worked in a major city I would have a bugout bag at the office besides the one I keep in my SUV. People may think you are strange but it is a piece of insurance. Guess where the people in a office are going to turn when something does happen and you are prepared.

[stormraiser]

Beer, what's a bugout bag?

[stormchazer]

Yep, President Bush just keeps exagerating the threat!

Regards,

John Kerry

[GalvestonDuck]

Beer, what's a bugout bag?

Click on "BOB" (BugOutBag) in his signature. It's his mega-preparedness, hurricane/terrorist attack/whatever-the-heck-else-comes-his-way, get-outta-dodge-quick bag.

[BEER980]

Yea what GalvestonDuck said. I can help anyone who is interested in putting one together. Just send me a message and I can meet you in chat if you like.

[Corona]

Yea if I worked in a major city I would have a bugout bag at the office besides the one I keep in my SUV. People may think you are strange but it is a piece of insurance. Guess where the people in a office are going to turn when something does happen and you are prepared.

It's interesting that most of the LE guys have one for themselves and one for their families too (if they have families). You are exactly correct - it's a piece of insurance. Like the analogy. I used up most of my stuff in mine from last year, so I need to restock and repack. It's on the agenda. Let me know if you'd add anything new to yours since last summer when I checked it out the first time.

[BEER980]

Actually I added an extra day of food for a total of 4 days. I found at Wal-Mart some precooked ground beef in a foil type package like the tuna. It has a shelf life of over a year. I also added a container of gatoraide powder to mix with the water.

[Corona]

Actually I added an extra day of food for a total of 4 days. I found at Wal-Mart some precooked ground beef in a foil type package like the tuna. It has a shelf life of over a year. I also added a container of gatoraide powder to mix with the water.

Haven't tried that stuff yet - any good? What about comm, what types of comm and backup do you have packed or use, including all receivers and transmitters. Cell, sat? Transponder?

[BEER980]

It didn't taste that bad at all. They were making mini taco's with it and handing them out. They have mexican, italian and plain flavors. I have a cell phone which may or may not work depending on the level of a disaster. I will be purchasing some of the GMRS radios soon. I want them to use the AA batteries so I can use the solar panel to recharge them if needed.

[azsnowman]

Beer, what's a bugout bag?

Click on "BOB" (BugOutBag) in his signature. It's his mega-preparedness, hurricane/terrorist attack/whatever-the-heck-else-comes-his-way, get-outta-dodge-quick bag.

If God pulls your number from his BINGO balls and your time is up, St. Peter ain't gonna let you bring your BOB in "Don't worry, be happy!"

Dennis

[Corona]

Beer, what's a bugout bag?

Click on "BOB" (BugOutBag) in his signature. It's his mega-preparedness, hurricane/terrorist attack/whatever-the-heck-else-comes-his-way, get-outta-dodge-quick bag.

If God pulls your number from his BINGO balls and your time is up, St. Peter ain't gonna let you bring your BOB in "Don't worry, be happy!"

Dennis

Just remember that God may decide to pull half a number and expect you to anti up and take care of the rest of it (i.e., get your arse in gear and make some hard decisions.) It's those situations we speak of, not the 'all-or-nothing' scenarios.

[BEER980]

Yep MOLON LABE baby.

[Corona]

Yep MOLON LABE baby.

Yah, ya don't roll over in front of the terrorist jerks and say "I give!" Sheesh. If we're not strong and prepared, every yahoo in the world will come over here and think they can (not only skate in easily...another discussion) breeze in and run herd over all the weak-arse Americans. Bush made sure earlier last year that we sent a different message: come over here and knock us around - you're going to be olives on toast. Let me be clear, we are not running around blasting people to hell. The military is picking the Deck of Cards apart one guy at a time. It's more subtle and effective. Which brings me back to our initial conversation about being prepared ///// every single one of us has the responsibility to contribute to the Liberties and Freedom of the United States. We have the responsibility to take care of ourselves and our families and friends too, if we have compassion. Preparation and a plan is part of that responsibility. DHS thinks so, our Government says so, the Red Cross says so. You going to say 'na, they'll take care of me". No son, in a time of crisis, they'll be dealing with the crisis, not your individual needs. You need to do that and be ready to move or do what they tell ya. They've laid out the plan and what your part is in that plan. We're not military, we're not locked up in the hills of Idaho - we're just ordinary citizens of cities and towns in the U.S. like everyone else. But we're doing our part to be ready and help the Gov. help us. Simple as that. Once you're prepped, then get back to doing what you do. Review your stuff occasionally and make adjustments. That doesn't take alot of time. Then get on with the business of life. Just be sure to keep tuned in to what's going on around you, and world-wide. Simple.

Nice job Beer, keep it up.

[azsnowman]

First off...do you HONESTLY think that these idiots are gonna give us a warning?? "Hey guys, UH...on the 3rd moon of the 3 month blah, blah, blah!" And as BAD as the intelligence WAS on the WMD....."Phhffft!" This is ALL TALK, no ACTION. Yeah, I'm ready just in case, I'm ALWAYS ready....gotta be, when your a Search and Rescue PRO like myself and wife, we're ready for anything at anytime, but honestly, all these are JUST threats. End of story, end of song!

Dennis