Al Qaeda waits for your choice for president

[ron8000]

In choosing the next president consider reading reports of the experts rather then reading distorted media coverage. this from senate committee.



al-Qaeda

A NEW GENERATION OF AL-QAEDA OPERATIVES
Al-Qaeda has suffered significant setbacks since the start of the war (See Figure 3), but the organization is extremely resilient and remains a major threat to the United States, our allies and U.S. interests abroad. Although Coalition forces have killed or captured several of al-Qaeda's top leaders, these vacancies have been filled by a new generation of extremists. Most of these new leaders have obscure backgrounds, and the Intelligence Community lacks knowledge about their particular methods of operating. As a result, our understanding of the evolving network is incomplete. There are concerns that we could see a new-generation of terrorists that are more willing than their predecessors to act autonomously. They may also look to capitalize on experience gained in Afghanistan and Iraq to lead subsequent attacks against the United States and our interests abroad. In addition, al-Qaeda's core elements, including Usama bin Laden and his key deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri, continue to elude capture and claims to prepare terrorist strikes against the West.17

Al-Qaeda understands the importance another attack on the United States would mean for its movement. The importance of such a strike cannot be overstated. For Islamist extremist groups, 9/11 was the "shot heard around the world." Al-Qaeda looks to capitalize on this attack to further undermine and challenge western ideals and the United States position as a world power. In addition, successful attacks against Western countries aid its recruiting and ensure financial support by keeping al-Qaedas message relevant and in the news. AI-Qaeda uses these attacks in its propaganda to show disempowered and rudderless youth throughout the Middle East that they too can strike a powerful blow for the global Jihad.

A weakened al-Qaeda still presents a greater threat to our security than most other terrorist groups. Its remaining members still has the ability to reach the United States and Europe and has repeatedly demonstrated the capacity to recruit on a global scale.)

DISRUPTED AL-QAEDA PLOTS
Although there has not been a successful al-Qaeda attack in the United States since 2001, there is corroborated information that al-Qaeda continues to plan attacks, in particular against the U.S. homeland. On October 6, 2005, President Bush reported that the United States has helped disrupt ten al-Qaeda attacks since 2001, including three attacks against targets inside the United States.19 One of the disrupted plots was devised by Khalid Sheikh Mohammad (KSM), the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. KSM's plan involved flying a hijacked plane into a target in California.20 Interrogations of KSM in July 2003 indicate that there were at least two potential attackers: Abderraouf Jdey (a.k.a Faruq al-Tunisi) and Zaini Zakaria (a.k.a Mussa). This plot most likely was part of KSM's plan to carry out a "second wave" of attacks after September 11, 2001. The Committee is aware of other credible plans by al-Qaeda members to attack the United States, but cannot discuss these plans in an unclassified report.

The disruption of these plots, the President reminded America, "means the enemy is wounded, but the enemy is still capable of global operations"21 Where the American public tends to have a relatively short time horizon and want results right away, al-Qaeda has never lacked patience in both the operational planning and execution of its attacks. Recall, for example, that the first, moderately successful al-Qaeda-associated attack against the World Trade Center (WTC) occurred in 1993. Rather than an immediate second attempt, al-Qaeda waited almost a decade before striking the U.S. homeland again. Even after Khalid Sheik Mohammed formulated the plan in 1998, al-Qaeda leaders were willing to wait patiently as operatives received the necessary training and resources. The United States cannot afford to assume that the absence of another terrorist act means al-Qaeda has lost either the will or the ability to attack-terrorist operatives might simply be in the planning phase of their next strike.

AL-QAEDA PLANS FOR A "SPECTACULAR" ATTACK
So long as al-Qaeda is capable of hitting the United States, it may look to carry out another "spectacular" attack of 9/11 proportions. Past threat alerts suggest al-Qaeda may favor attacks that meet certain criteria, including high symbolic value, mass casualties, severe damage to the U.S. economy and maximum psychological trauma.22 However, a battered and weakened al-Qaeda, new counterterrorism laws, and heightened security at our borders and ports of entry have made it more difficult for al-Qaedas core elements to carry out a large-scale attack. As a result, there are ongoing discussions of what al-Qaeda's leadership considers "spectacular." Today, target vulnerability and likelihood of success may be as important to al-Qaeda as the target's prominence.23 Major subway systems, nuclear plants, and national landmarks could be attractive targets if they are perceived as "soft" Regardless of the target, any plan by al-Qaeda will look to achieve at least one of the following: mass casualties, damage to the U.S. economy and maximum psychological trauma on the American public.

AL-QAEDA'S SEARCH FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Any successful attack with weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, or nuclear) would, in addition to causing mass casualties, have an impact on both the U.S. psyche and the U.S. economy. As an example, the still unsolved anthrax attacks that occurred in the wake of 9/11 produced only a limited number of deaths, but disrupted mail and sowed fear throughout the country.

The Intelligence Community continues to be concerned about al-Qaeda's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction. In a December 1998 interview with Time, Usama bin Laden was asked whether he, as the U.S. had alleged, was attempting to obtain chemical or nuclear weapons. In his response he stated:


"Acquiring weapons for the defense of Muslims is a religious duty. If I have indeed acquired these weapons, then I thank God for enabling me to do so. And if I seek to acquire these weapons, I am carrying out a duty. It would be a sin for Muslims not to possess the weapons that would prevent the infidels from inflicting harm on Muslims"24
There is a detailed public record of al-Qaeda's interest in obtaining chemical and biological weapons. According to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission, al-Qaeda sought to obtain nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and "remains interested in using a radiological dispersal or dirty bomb, a conventional explosive designed to spread radioactive material."25 In addition, in 2004, then-Director of the Central Intelligence Agency George Tenet warned Congress that "al-Qaeda's effort to produce deadly anthrax is one of the most immediate terrorist threats"26 There is little doubt that if Usama bin Laden were successful in acquiring WMD, he would use these weapons against the West.

AL-QAEDA'S METHODS OF RAISING MONEY
Prior to September 11, 2001 al-Qaeda built a vast, sophisticated and elusive network to raise money to support itself, terrorist operations and its supporters around the world. Trailing Usama bin Laden's funds was complicated and al-Qaeda was able to move money around the world without compromising its security and secrecy. One reason it was so difficult to track terrorist finances was because Usama hin Laden preferred not to operate with banks that charged interest since usury is prohibited by the Koran. Al-Qaeda did, however, use banks that operate according to Islamic principles, such as the Dubai Islamic Bank in the United Arab Emirates (it was not until after September 11, 2001 that the United Arab Emirates enforced tighter restrictions on its banking system). In addition, al-Qaeda relies on couriers and the venerable hawala system of interlocking money changers-it would not be uncommon for money to switch hands several times before the delivery reached its final destination.27 The result was a layered system that kept the United States in the dark, unable to determine how, and more importantly to whom, al-Qaeda was providing funds.

The CIA estimates that al-Qaeda spent about $30 million a year to sustain its activities.28 Contrary to popular belief, Usama bin Laden did not use his personal wealth that he inherited from the Bin Laden construction company when his father passed away. Instead, al-Qaeda's activities were supported largely through various fundraising efforts worldwide, including contributions from mosques, non-governmental organizations, the Internet, wealthy donors and charitable foundations.

It is difficult to determine how much funding has been channeled from the United States to al-Qaeda. Members, of the Intelligence Community have reported, and we have no reason to believe otherwise, that al-Qaeda has not used the United States as a primary source of its funding. Still, intelligence experts agree that the funding to al-Qaeda amounts to much less than is raised by other terrorist groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.29 We will look at some U.S.-hased charities with links to al-Qaeda later in this report.

[mostuffa]

Originally Posted by Wayne

BS...............................This is just another terrorist attack of fear by our own Govt...and it was convent of you to leave out that this statement came from who in the senate? did I hear you say Republicans??

Regardless of that report, Wayne, do you deny that Iran/Syria supports Hezbolah and Hamas and that the huge oil deposits that Iran sits on is all it needs to support its agenda?

9/11 wasn't a hoax! Hamas sends rockets into Israel daily. Iran has been and is still sending material and suicide bombers into Iraq against our troops. Why do you think its a propaganda of fear, planted by Republicans??

So, if a democrat makes office, do you believe that we can just pull all our troops, from all around the world, allow the airports to return to what used to be normal, and we will be able to sing Co'm by yah and live easily, and happily ever after? Don't you realize that if we weren't sticking our nose into Israel's business, that the Israelies would unleash a can of "whoop ass" to Hamas?


Mostuffa

[benventure]

every government needs a common enemy to keep its structure alive

our enemy happens to be an ambiguous people
terrorist

or

communist?

[scotslad60]

Doesn't matter which one Ben, just so long as the sheep, sorry - voters, are focused on whats happening in other nations thousands of miles away rather than getting ticked off at the Gov't for screwing up things at home.

[mostuffa]

Originally Posted by benventure

every government needs a common enemy to keep its structure alive

our enemy happens to be an ambiguous people
terrorist

or

communist?

I seem to recall Saudi Terrorist flying planes into our World Trade Towers; during Clintons presidency, they hit our embassy in Africa, hit the Uss Cole, the Uss Stark and the Towers on two separate occasions. That doesn't seem to be ambiguous because "water boarding" really works, which gave us leads.

Iraq is about Saddam paying 25k to families of people who'd blow themselves up in Israel. Ambiguous?

Mostuffa

[scotslad60]

All of that is based on what your told to believe. IF you believe your government are above board, trasparently accountable, honest men, then ok, I like your faith. I don't share it but I like it.

As to 'water boarding' really working.... lets say YOU try it for a day or two? Torture in any way, shape or form should be an International crime and all those involved should share a cell at Guantanamo!!

[mostuffa]

Originally Posted by scotslad60

All of that is based on what your told to believe. IF you believe your government are above board, trasparently accountable, honest men, then ok, I like your faith. I don't share it but I like it.

As to 'water boarding' really working.... lets say YOU try it for a day or two? Torture in any way, shape or form should be an International crime and all those involved should share a cell at Guantanamo!!

Scotslad, Torture, if you noticed that I avoided commenting about it in another post, is a vast means of obtaining results that one seeks. If you deprive a person of a basic meal, where you only fed them bread and water, that's torture.

If you extended the times that they are feed, like, every 32 hours, that's torture. If you make them stay in "solidary confinement" that's torture. Solidary confinement is used in our prisons everyday.

Waterboarding, for those who understand what waterboarding is, will break the average man within 45 seconds. I know that some of the information that has been given to the public is NOT public consumable information and therefore should not have been given to them. If you believe that as a citizen, you have a right to all the information that our government sees, then you'd be upset with a lot more things.

Torture, is a necessary tool, to achieve the goal for a necessary agenda. It is necessary that our government, for which we pay taxes, has the tools it needs to protect its people. For those who don't want our military recruiting in our schools, I'd be willing to bet that they'd surely dislike a military draft. Sometimes, people should be wise enough to let "well enough" alone. And torture is one of those things.

I don't think that our government is above board, nor absolutely transparent with information that is needed to be disseminated to the public, but I know that our government's interest is to protect their interests which is the American citizens and our Allies. I've been there, and I've done that!

Mostuffa

[scotslad60]

I know enough about what both the USA and the UK governments are up to, what information they release to the PD and what information is kept back, not for fear of upsetting people, for fear of being exposed as to what they are really about!!
I wouldn't be upset with anything though, you are obviously, and inccorrectly, assuming something about me here.

Torture is a necessary tool is it? Do you thnk that the cretins who torture people at the behest of the governent are only
"obeying orders" too!? Now, where did I hear that before........

If we 'let well enough alone', and let the government do what they see fit, then YOU will be living in a Dictatorship along with the rest of us. Or maybe you would prefer that?

As a citizen, I and everyone else DOES have the right to see and know EVERYTHING that any so-called elected representative is doing in MY name. It is high time people like you and they remembered what a Democracy is, and that ALL members of a Government are civil SERVANTS. That means THEY are accountable to ME, and everyone like me, not the other way around!

Of course, it doesnt work like that in practice because too many people are either disinterested or afraid. That is why there is NO Democracy in either the USA or the UK, everybody just likes to pretend though.

The US/UK governments main interest is to protect their interest, yes. NOT yours, not the american public - THEIRS and theirs alone.

In respect of being 'pro-torture' let me make this clear..... I would name and shame you and your family and lock you away in that solitary confinement you mentioned until I had to carry your cold stiff carcass out of there!

Were it within my power to do so, this would be the immediate response to all those connected to torture in any way whatsoever. Torture is EVIL. There is NO excuse, NO justification, NO debate.

[benventure]

necessities are needed
agendas are not

there are alternative ways to getting people to give up information other than torture
90% of the time, torture is a means to simply make the person think-up information
its false in torture

were fighting an ideology
a beleif system
however strange
the harder we push, the greater theyll push back
and really, maybe im cold, but fuck 9/11
and fuck whoever says somthing about the victims families
its been almost 7 years
do we really want to hold grudges for that long?
9/11's happen all over the world, muslim world i guess...
sometimes were the terrorists

if you are a surviving person of 9/11 or of a family...congratulations, your family members death has caused the death of thousands, and you support it

bwah

[TrueBlue2]

Originally Posted by Wayne

BS...............................This is just another terrorist attack of fear by our own Govt...and it was convent of you to leave out that this statement came from who in the senate? did I hear you say Republicans??

So, are you implying that anything coming out of the Republican camp has to be a lie Wayne? I fear your prejudices outweigh the realities. Of course Al Quieda plans to hit again. We would be incredibly naiive if we didn't think so.