Major Al Qaeda Attack Planned

[Trapper John]

U.S. OFFICIAL: AL-QAEDA PLANNING ATTACK THAT’S ‘GOING TO BE BIG,’ ‘STRATEGICALLY SIGNIFICANT' ABC News August 4, 2013

“The part that is alarming is the confidence they showed while communicating and the air of certainty,” the official said, adding that the group — Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula — appeared to have a media plan for after the attack.

Authorities do not know the exact target of the planned attack, according to the official.

“We do not know whether they mean an embassy, an airbase, an aircraft, trains,” the official said.

The official said there is concern about devices that could be implanted inside the body of a terrorist.

“We are concerned about surgically implanted devices,” said. “These are guys who have developed the techniques to defeat our detection methods.”

The official also said authorities were stunned that the group broke “operational security” — meaning they talked likely knowing it would be picked up by intercepts.


http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/08/senior-us-official-intercepted-al-qaeda-communications-indicate-planned-attack-big-strategically-significant.html

[ChuckG]

But is this just a ploy to deflect from all of the obama scandals and vacations?

[ddoering]

"Wagging the dog" works most of the time.

[Streck-Fu]

Just trying to justify the NSA spying....Headline says it all....LINK (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/08/04/198521/embassy-closings-travel-warning.html#.Uf-KKW34bAk)

U.S. extends embassy closings; warnings renew debate over NSA data collection

The closing of U.S. embassies in 21 predominantly Muslim countries and a broad caution about travel during August that the State Department issued on Friday touched off debate Sunday over the National Security Agency’s sweeping data collection programs.

Congressional supporters of the program, appearing on Sunday morning talk shows, said the latest rounds of warnings of unspecified threats showed that the programs were necessary, while detractors said there was no evidence linking the programs, particularly the massive collection of cell phone records of hundreds of millions of Americans, to the vague warnings of a possible terrorist attack.

Does the part in bold seem familiar?

[JHD]

If the embassy(ies) were/are the target, the terrorists are smart enough to wait until they reopen for maximum effect. If the info intercept was considered real, why was it publicized, and why didn't we implement countermeasures without telling the terrorists what they were?

The way it was handled smacks of misdirection, and as stated above, tail wagging the dog. And how in the world does this justify spying on US citizens, and violating our rights against illegal search and seizures? Rhetorical question, as it doesn't. :mad:

[Trapper John]

This just doesn't smell right to me for many of the reasons that you all have already posted. Only two possible scenarios here IMO:

1. It is a misinformation/misdirection put out by the Admin. Doubtful (IMO). That would need a huge buy-in by all the Intel Agencies including DoD and Congressional Intelligence Committees. I don't think we have gone that far yet. Or -

2. AQ has assessed our willingness and ability to respond and they believe that we are lacking in both. That, unfortunately, seems to be consistent with the current situation.

The surest route to armed conflict is appeasement of an aggressor. IMO the BHO Admin has emboldened our enemy.

[echoes]

This just doesn't smell right to me for many of the reasons that you all have already posted. Only two possible scenarios here IMO:

1. It is a misinformation/misdirection put out by the Admin. Doubtful (IMO). That would need a huge buy-in by all the Intel Agencies including DoD and Congressional Intelligence Committees. I don't think we have gone that far yet. Or -

2. AQ has assessed our willingness and ability to respond and they believe that we are lacking in both. That, unfortunately, seems to be consistent with the current situation.

The surest route to armed conflict is appeasement of an aggressor. IMO the BHO Admin has emboldened our enemy.

Sir,

Was curious why there was no thread about the closure of over twenty US Embassies around the world, posted here....but my assumptions were that Quiet needed to be Quiet?:confused:

It truly is a tragedy of unmentionable proportions if your above bullet points are factual, as that would signal complete and total weakness on the part of the US Gov...but NOT on the part of US ARMED FORCES. :(

Myself, like many Americans, are confused.:mad:

Holly

[JoelBlack]

Nothing says alqaeda is dead like closing 22 embassies for a week. #WhiteFlag

[Wiseman]

There have been lots of train derailments recently in the US and in Europe....

Most recent one

http://news.yahoo.com/cleanup-underway-derailment-louisiana-142328098.html

[ddoering]

"The closing of U.S. embassies in 21 predominantly Muslim countries and a broad caution about travel during August that the State Department issued on Friday touched off debate Sunday over the National Security Agency’s sweeping data collection programs.

Congressional supporters of the program, appearing on Sunday morning talk shows, said the latest rounds of warnings of unspecified threats showed that the programs were necessary, while detractors said there was no evidence linking the programs, particularly the massive collection of cell phone records of hundreds of millions of Americans, to the vague warnings of a possible terrorist attack"

Does that mean it is Americans that are preparing these attacks?

[PedOncoDoc]

"The closing of U.S. embassies in 21 predominantly Muslim countries and a broad caution about travel during August that the State Department issued on Friday touched off debate Sunday over the National Security Agency’s sweeping data collection programs.

Would it be a more effective preventative measure to stop funds going to those countries and instead use the allocated funds to increase security at said embassies?

Perhaps there would be motivation for the countries to police their own backyards and pitch the turds festering there...

[Team Sergeant]

U.S. OFFICIAL: AL-QAEDA PLANNING ATTACK THAT’S ‘GOING TO BE BIG,’ ‘STRATEGICALLY SIGNIFICANT'



I'm sorry, did I sleep through the ‘STRATEGICALLY SIGNIFICANT' attack?


Oh yeah;

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING !!!!!!!!!!!!

The most transparent administration in history, which means to me, it's very transparent that they are completely incompetent and corrupt.

[ddoering]

This will probably allow the NSA, TSA, and any other "A" search your home without a warrant. Perhaps we should suspend habeas corpus while we are at it.

[Box]

Hey everybody look over there....



*** POOF ***



Nothing to see here, move along

[Detonics]

This just doesn't smell right to me for many of the reasons that you all have already posted. Only two possible scenarios here IMO:

1. It is a misinformation/misdirection put out by the Admin. Doubtful (IMO). That would need a huge buy-in by all the Intel Agencies including DoD and Congressional Intelligence Committees. I don't think we have gone that far yet. Or -

2. AQ has assessed our willingness and ability to respond and they believe that we are lacking in both. That, unfortunately, seems to be consistent with the current situation.

The surest route to armed conflict is appeasement of an aggressor. IMO the BHO Admin has emboldened our enemy.

A bit of speculation.... If you were an AQ mover & shaker getting weapons from Libya via Uncle Sugar and He called and said "Help a Brotha Out" wouldn't it be worth your while to maybe send an email or two, maybe a phone call... that you know would be picked up by No Such Agency?

That way there'd be no need for collusion.. just the machine doing what it does best that picks out some "high level chatter" diverting the news away from various & sundry unpleasant subjects.

[The Reaper]

I don't get it.

Put a company at each embassy and free up the ROE.

Okay, Plan B, don't we have enough armed drones to cover the area?

TR

[Basenshukai]

My experience with the "heightened alert" today:

I approach one of the minor Fort Bragg gates and there are two guards there; obviously, they are bored.

One is an E-7 and the other is an E-5. They see my "Torch Red" 2013 C6 Grand Sport Corvette and look at one another and smile. They briefly discussed something as I slowed down further to approach.

The E-5 steps out and says, "Sir, you've been 'randomly' selected for a vehicle security inspection due to the increased security - Condition Bravo - related to the threats to US Embassies throughout the world."

[ChuckG]

My experience with the "heightened alert" today:

I approach one of the minor Fort Bragg gates and there are two guards there; obviously, they are bored.

One is an E-7 and the other is an E-5. They see my "Torch Red" 2013 C6 Grand Sport Corvette and look at one another and smile. They briefly discussed something as I slowed down further to approach.

The E-5 steps out and says, "Sir, you've been 'randomly' selected for a vehicle security inspection due to the increased security - Condition Bravo - related to the threats to US Embassies throughout the world."

Did you let them sit in it?

[The Reaper]

I had an MP at Ft. Buchanan, PR tell me that I couldn't ride my Harley through the gate till I "let her rip".

I left him a cloud of smoke and 30' or so of rubber while he cheered.

TR

[Basenshukai]

Did you let them sit in it?

Well, we did speak about the engine for about five minutes after I opened the hood for him.

[Sdiver]

U.S. OFFICIAL: AL-QAEDA PLANNING ATTACK THAT’S ‘GOING TO BE BIG,’ ‘STRATEGICALLY SIGNIFICANT'



I'm sorry, did I sleep through the ‘STRATEGICALLY SIGNIFICANT' attack?


Oh yeah;

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING !!!!!!!!!!!!

The most transparent administration in history, which means to me, it's very transparent that they are completely incompetent and corrupt.

Hey everybody look over there....



*** POOF ***



Nothing to see here, move along

I think these guys speak for all of us ......

[Barbarian]

Well, we did speak about the engine for about five minutes after I opened the hood for him.

Nice ride.:cool:

[Trapper John]

Well, we did speak about the engine for about five minutes after I opened the hood for him.

SAWEEET! :lifter

[Trapper John]

I think these guys speak for all of us ......

LMAOROF! Now that's funny rat there!

[badshot]

I'm no military tactician but...

Wouldn't having that threat info and keeping it secret be a good opportunity for an ambush?

Did they just train the bad guys more on how to do a rope a dope and/or avoid detection later (ie. probing)?

Thought they weren't a threat anymore, sounds say, "Phony " to me. Not the threat, the statement during election. As TS says, lair and a fraud sounds about right.

Very nice car... jammers and detectors should be standard equipment :D

[Detonics]

Well, we did speak about the engine for about five minutes after I opened the hood for him.

OMG! That's a fine ride! If it's true that red cars are ticketed most often then your daily outings must look like a Smokey & The Bandit outtake. ;)