An Overreaction? - Not everyone thought Ashcroft’s warning was justified

[NNN0LHI]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5069746/site/newsweek/

May 26 - Even as Attorney General John Ashcroft warned on Wednesday that Al Qaeda planned “to hit the United States hard” in the next few months, U.S. intelligence officials were privately divided about whether the government had obtained any fresh information that justified such an extraordinary public announcement.

Armed with what he called “disturbing” and “credible” intelligence from “multiple sources,” Ashcroft appeared with FBI Director Robert Mueller and urged the public to increase its vigilance over the next several months, when a number of events, including an upcoming G-8 summit in Georgia and the political conventions, might present inviting targets. The FBI also issued bulletins for seven Al Qaeda-linked suspects. One of them was Adam Yahiye Gadahn, (formerly Adam Pearlman), a 25-year-old former resident of Orange County, Calif. Gadahn converted to Islam and, according to Mueller, attended training camps in Afghanistan and associated with Abu Zubaydah, once one of Al Qaeda’s top leaders.

In his briefing, Ashcroft cited no specific new information other than a claim that was sent to an Arabic newspaper in London immediately after the March 11 Madrid bombing. In it, a shadowy group asserted that a major attack against the United States was “90 percent ready.” But the authenticity of the group—and whether it really spoke for Al Qaeda—was questioned at the time by some U.S. officials.

Although the U.S. intelligence community says it has been concerned for some time about the potential implications for the United States of the Madrid bombings, some U.S. counterterrorism officials told NEWSWEEK they were aware of no sudden surge in “chatter”—intercepts of terrorists communications—or other indicators of a possible imminent attack. “We’re always getting new threat information, but I wouldn’t point to a steep spike in chatter” said one U.S. official. Another counterterrorism official added: “What we’re seeing is a lot like what we’ve seen before.”

more

[maddezmom]

1. looks like the media is finally getting it - fling the chimp

:)

[colonel odis]

2. he's going to cry wolf so many times that

if, heaven forbid, something were ever to happen it would take regular citizens by as much surprise as 9/11 did.

poll numbers go down. terror alert goes up.

[Just Me]

3. The rhetoric re Madrid and "terror, terror, terror" were distracting,...

,...but, I don't know. My intuitions/instincts are not in line with my objective/rational side right now.

Bah! I've been having weird dreams lately. I'm probably just due for a break, a time-out, from the "information zone". I look forward to several days out in the folds of the Appalachias.

[jpgray]

6. The Madrid rhetoric pisses me off

The Popular Party had a tiny 4% lead over the Socialists, which was well within the MOE, a few weeks before the attack. The Socialists won by about 4%. This is not a huge sea-change in opinion--it could have been a change of only 2-3%. This didn't stop the NYT among others from spewing something like 'the Popular Party had a solid lead before the attack' in its 'analysis'. :crazy:

[NNN0LHI]

7. Its not just you Just Me

I've also been having weird dreams lately. Not a good sign.

Don

[donco6]

11. Me too!

I thought I was just being paranoid, and normally I am a really laid-back kinda guy. But I've just been having terrible foreboding dreams and feelings lately. Hopefully it's nothing.

[jpgray]

4. No raising of the threat level, no intel given to major cities

I smell a rat.

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. From the #1 album of Ashcroft's Greatest Hits

Along with many of America's favorite Patriarchal songs, "Holding America Hostage To Fear", sung by John Ashcroft, is once again winning hearts and minds on his latest album "Ashcroft Sings To America!" Greatest Hits Album. Hear the deep sonorous, yet wavering voice, of Freedom and Truth as only Ashcroft can sing it! Get your order in today! Supplies are limited and so is time! Share John's message with your family and friends! Order now, and your personalized gift of songs with John Ashcroft's officially authorized Stamp of Credibility on a prayer cloth dipped in Crisco will be delivered in time for the 2004 Presidential Elcection!

Hear the songs! Live the American Dream as John takes you on a fantasy journey through the corridors of true Justice, Right, and Might!

*Note: Shipped only to Red states. All state taxes apply. An $8000 covering fee applies to each order.

Add your passport number, and receive a CD copy of John Ashcroft's "Different Day, Same Old Song!", with exciting excerpts from all of his Justice and the American Way speeches 2001-2004.

[saigon68]

9. OUTRAGEOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You get the saigon Outrageous Post of the Day Award !!!!!!!!


TRUE BITING SARCASM



your award !!!!!!!!!

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. Well, that just tickles my funnybone all to pieces!

O8)

[nannah]

8. why wouldn't we be at increased risk for terrorist attack????

Our government has made a concerted effort to inflame the muslim world for the purpose of creating a self fulfilling prophecy about our danger. They need continued excuses to reduce freedom and liberty in america. How long after a major attack will it be before we are under martial law in response to a "state of emergency"?

[donco6]

13. No kidding.

Let's just go straight to permanent red and face reality. The entire muslim world would love to see us turned to cinders.

[Just Me]

15. We have made enemies,...

,...with far more than just muslims.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

10. Who's the terrorist? The people who might attack us? Or

the leaders who threaten us all the time?

I find the Justice Department under this administration far more scary than ANY foreigners and their plots. If there even are such plots.

[John_H]

12. "Web exclusive" Trasnlation: we'll hide the truth on out web site

but do FEAR, FEAR, FEAR 24/7 on TV. What slime.

[Piperay]

16. I don't believe it...

they are down in the polls and they are the ones that are in terror about that.

[hedda_foil]

17. Holy cow! This isn't just MSNBC -- It's Newsweek and Isikoff!

That's as huge as it gets!

[Just Me]

20. I guess they finally "caught" the broken-record rhetoric.

Which is a very good thing,...just,...too little too late.

Now that we have ALLOWED a neocon coup to create our whole nation as an enemy to humanity and the world,...will we be able to turn the tide,...before it's too late?

[Salviati]

18. Does this mean he's going to take the agents off investigating porn?

[robbedvoter]

19. Web exclusive - NOT IN PRINT! - true - but too disturbing for subscribers