U.S. sees lull in terror threat "chatter," Ridge says

[petron]

(Washington-AP, Jan. 6, 2005 4:03 PM) _ U.S. intelligence monitors are picking up less terror threat talk than a year ago, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Thursday.

A variety of factors could be contributing to the lull, Ridge said, and he warned that terrorists "are strategic actors and long-range planners" who could be merely lying low before striking again.

"There certainly is a diminution, reduction in the amount of intelligence, and the decibel level is lower," Ridge told reporters, comparing information picked up over the past several months to the similar period a year ago.

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=2775871

<snip>

Is this "lull" a sign of an impending roar?

[Mountainman]

1. Sure, Bush isn't running for office anymore.

No need to scare the people with terrorists anymore, just scare them with no money for Social Security.

They can play the public like a bass fiddle!

[durablend]

2. You got it--election's OVER!

The terra-terra-terra megaphones have gone into storage until next year.

[Bluebear]

3. Funny thing, first terra free Christmas and New year's

Shop till you drop, people! We're saaaaaaaaafe now!

So utterly transparent. (To us.)

[Khephra]

4. Either that or...

They've become smart enough to realize which communcation systems not to use because the U.S. frigging gives away any info they might have about "chatter" for political reasons instead of keeping it on a need-to-know basis?

[pinniped]

5. I guess after the pos' (s)election these "alleged" terrorists...

decided to wrap it up and call it quits.

Iraq is having so-called free (s)elections and there's nothing they can do about it.:crazy:

[0007]

6. As soon as spring training starts, the chatter will begin!

[Monkie]

7. they dont hate your freedoms any more now bush was selected!

the "terrorists" (i dont believe they exists)love a good religious dictatorship hadnt you heard??
they are all rolling on the floor laughing their asses off at the stupidity of the american people for "voting" for bush.
AND NOT GOING OUT ON THE STREETS like in the ukraine.
bush can do a far more effective job than "the terrorists" and they know it...

[hollowdweller]

8. I think the terrorists feel sorry for us cause we have corrupt and

repressive leaders just like they have always had now.

[llmart]

9. They probably figure.......

we have all been terrorized enough with the reselection and 4 more years of this administration that they decided to give us a break from it.

Seriously though, if people can't see through this shit then there is no hope for this country. Amazing how no more terror alerts and no more "chatter" after the election. Yes, they are playing us (well, not us at DU) for the fools that we are.

[damntexdem]

10. Yeah, relax -- less chatter.

More bombs. Duh, do you think maybe the dynamics have changed, or something?

But here's the real threat: the Bushistas just can't afford any 'reduction in the amount of intelligence,' because they show so little to start with.

[DemoTex]

11. That's enough for me!

I'm now back on the Qui Vive?.

On edit: high Qui Vive?!

[mulethree]

12. maybe its because the CIA are out looking for new jobs? n/t

[DS1]

13. Chatter is up, be afraid. Chatter is down, be afraid. Chatter is even, be

do I have to finish? :eyes:

[struggle4progress]

14. Any lull in Ridge's chatter would certainly be welcome. eom

[insane_cratic_gal]

15. of course the are going to raise it Jan 20th

all for you. To try and place fear from keeping you from going

freaking bastards.

[leesa]

16. Elections over. BushCo has no need to terrorize for now.

[reprobate]

17. Sorry, but I can no longer believe *anything* these liars spout.

Every word out of the mouths of this cabal is either an outright lie or a spin on the truth that is in effect a lie.

And add to that the fact that in everything they do, someone close to them makes a profit.

And to think that the country that Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Hamilton, etc started has come to this. Well, come to think of it, Franklin saw it coming:

"In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other."

[Wilms]

18. What's all this chatter about!? n/t

[Buns_of_Fire]

19. I guess not much "chatter" can be heard

above the sound of the surf in Hawaii...

Dec. 17, 2004 — At the same time agents of the budget-strapped Department of Homeland Security worried about being able to afford gas for government cars, top department officials, including outgoing DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, could be found basking in the warm Hawaiian sun for a meeting they said was essential government business.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=340420&page=1

Or maybe the lack of "chatter" could be viewed as "Okay, talking's over. All resources are in place. Everyone knows what they have to do -- now go do it. This will be the last communication until this mission is complete. Allah Akbar." <click>

Hey, my guess is as good as theirs. Personally, when things get silent, that's when I'd redouble my vigilance. But then, maybe there are special mystic visions only afforded to those who spend their time in close proximity to boosh**'s ass.

[DemoTex]

20. My gut hurts from laughing!

What a fucking swan song! "I'm otta here so the friggin' light is green!" And the first-choice replacement .. Bernie Kerik ... Jesus, quit! I am laughing too hard! I am an old man with high blood pressure, please stop making me laugh. Please!