Friday, August 11, 2006

Boo! But Why, Why, Why?

The Washington Post and others report that the terrorist plot involving blowing up airplanes during flights to the United States has been on the British intelligence radar screen for over a year.

From the story thread, the only unknowns have been when and where, not how. So why the recent panic about carry-on luggage and water bottles?

By late 2005, the probe had expanded to involve several hundred investigators on three continents. They kept dozens of suspects under close surveillance for months, even as some of the plotters traveled between Britain and Pakistan to raise money, find recruits and refine their scheme, according to interviews with U.S. and European counterterrorism officials.

Precise details of the plot -- how many planes, their destinations and the date -- remain unknown. The shape of the operation changed regularly as the would-be bombers considered which transatlantic flights to target and prepared for a practice run, which was expected to take place in the next few days, U.S. law enforcement officials said.

And why did President Bush raise the terror level to code-red? Again, the story was old news to Bush and Company. Wasn't the threat just as grave yesterday, the day before and the day before that one?!?

What's more, why did journalists mostly quote Republicans?

Why did they only talk about GOP governors who took added precautions?

Was this a case of Democratic CUM? Callousness, unconcern and media slight?

Of course, the favoritest GOP variant of callousness is that Democrats love to give comfort to the "enemy" and could care less if every American dies as a result of their neglectful indifference. The "enemy" is also a code word for Satan when Bible-thumpers want to scare the heebie-jeebies out of any wayward members in their flock.

Unconcern is certainly a slight exageration by Howling Latina; but let's just say that since 9/11, the terrorist alerts invariably rise during election years and it's easy to understand why maybe a few Dems might have the mentality of "been there and done that."

As to media slight, Democratic leaders know it's a simple fact of life; and HL refers readers to an Associated Press story picked up by every small town newspaper throughout the land as her only needed exhibit.

"This was a well-advanced plan," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told reporters as British authorities announced the arrests of 24 alleged plotters. "In some respects suggestive of an al-Qaida plot."

It was not clear how long the restrictions would remain in effect. One lawmaker, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., said the situation "eliminates the days of carry-on baggage."

In brief remarks from Green Bay, Wis., President Bush said the events showed the nation "is at war with Islamic fascists."

One lawmaker, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., said the situation "eliminates the days of carry-on baggage."

In Ohio, Republican chairman Bob Bennett accused the Democrats' senatorial challenger of voting against funds "for the very types of programs that helped the British thwart these vicious attacks."

Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson said his agency had known for several days of the unfolding plot but waited for a signal from the British to announce it.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California deployed 300 Guard troops to at least three large airports — in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland — where direct flights from Europe were scheduled to arrive.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney announced he would activate Guard troops for airline security duty for the first time since the terror attacks of 2001, and New York Gov. George Pataki said Guard troops would be used there, as well.

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., was the only lawmaker to attend a closed-door briefing in the Capitol...."This was a very close call," he said of the aborted plot.

On the Democratic side, you've got two measly references and no direct quotes.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said as many as 10 flights had been targeted.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said events reinforced the need to implement the recommendations of an independent 9/11 commission, a reminder of one of her party's main campaign promises.

Democrats, don't you frigging dare let GOPers and sloppy reporting frame the Lieberman win and latest terrorist plot without a rock-solid challenge. Remember the '04 presidential race and August onslaught of clever sloganeering, lies and smears and Kerry's slow response that doomed the outcome.

We've come too far to let a win slip away just because Republicans have more media savvy folks. The facts and truth are on our side, but never underestimate the gullibility of people who have been scared out of their gore.

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