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| Full text of briefing by senior intelligence official on current threat |
| 2004-08-02 |
| SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL: (already in progress) it's clear about al-Qaeda's intent, as well as their capability to carry out attacks both here and abroad, but the intelligence effort against al-Qaeda is a painstaking one, one that requires tremendous patience and tremendous effort on the part of many different government agencies and departments. And we had a briefing here several weeks ago regarding the information that we had about al-Qaeda's plans to carry an attack in the homeland this year. What we have are pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and now we have some very specific, and as the Secretary said, specific and credible information regarding al Qaeda's plans to carry out attacks here in the States. Today's news, today's intelligence, is both a cause for concern as well as, clear evidence of success in the war against terrorism. Because of the tremendous detail and specificity that we've been able to acquire, the collection agencies have been able to acquire, about upcoming attacks. We frequently get this type of information after attacks take place, but this information before these attacks are able to be carried out. The new information is chilling in its scope, in its detail, in its breadth. It also gives one a sense the same feeling one would have if one found out that somebody broke into your house and over the past several months was taking a lot of details about your place of residence and looking for ways to attack you. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #6 the only other costs are political I disagree. I'm strongly in favor of proactive disruption of the terror networks. I'm also strongly in favor of coming out of this with as much of our national identity intact as possible, consonant with effective national security. The costs of completely sealing our borders -- even if that were possible -- would come out of our national soul. I watched it happen to Israel, don't want it to happen here. |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-08-02 1:53:38 PM |
| #5 Securing borders and completely sealing them are two very different propositions. The biggest problem with profiling is the false sense of security we could lapse into. Some degree of profiling is just prudence; thinking it's a panacea is dangerous, because it means we won't find the threats that don't match the profile. |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-08-02 1:49:13 PM |
| #4 That might work, maybe. The costs would be very very high, though, and I don't just mean in $$$. For an uncertain outcome a) the only other costs are political and what do Republicans get for catering to the Muslim/Hispanic vote? ZILCH, ZERO. Even moderate Democrats who have families might switch their votes to Republican if the borders were secured and immigration were more focused and tightened up generally. b) worries about financial costs as well as trying a new tact with uncertain outcomes??? LOL...what do you think regime change/nation building in Iraq is but a VERY EXPENSIVE "experiment" with "uncertain outcome"???Get real. You're on board for the latter aren't you? Securing our borders and immigration procedures would be a spit in the ocean in terms of what we're doing with Iraq and all the other foreign aid crap that gets us nothing but hatred and contempt in return. |
| Posted by: rex 2004-08-02 1:44:07 PM |
| #3 That might work, maybe. The costs would be very very high, though, and I don't just mean in $$$. For an uncertain outcome, I'm not sure I would back that approach. I say that as someone whose only offspring was not far from the twin towers on 9/11, and who works every day in a high-profile target for an attack, so no flames please. |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-08-02 1:16:58 PM |
| #2 Our intel and law enforcement people are doing some things right I agree, #1, that considering the PC obstacles our intel/law enforcement folks have to work around, they are doing a great job. BUT they could protect our national security better if our elected politicians, including BOTH GWB and JohnF'n Kerry, would work together to stamp out PC anti-profiling, open borders nonsensical mindsets in their parties. This recent intel came up as a result of the S.African Muslim lady who was captured in Texas after snaeking thru the Mexican border and by luck I might add. The same week a handful of other ME bad boys were arrested in Dallas. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that when you're at war with Islamic terrorists that you do the following: a)seal the borders first off[and it can be done if we had the political will, so pls. no whining that our borders are soooo looooong] b) profile visitors from Muslim dominated countries and scrutinize them carefully before they enter the country and limit the length of their visits to no more than 1 month at a time c) you put a moratorium of 5 years on immigration and then track down all green cardholders/temp. working Visa immigrants/refugee-asylum immigrants in the country to check their whereabouts year by year going back the last 10 years and deport as the need arises and insist that "loser" pays all court costs when deportation is challenged d) arm the airline pilots |
| Posted by: rex 2004-08-02 1:10:05 PM |
| #1 The threat is real. Our intel and law enforcement people are doing some things right and are working hard to cope with unprecedented situations. Worth keeping in mind. |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-08-02 9:22:22 AM |