NYT - A High Level of Alert for the Inauguration

[Catchawave]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/12/politics/12security.html?oref=login&th

A High Level of Alert for the Inauguration
By DAVID JOHNSTON and MICHAEL JANOFSKY

Published: January 12, 2005


WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 - Tom Ridge, the homeland security secretary, said Tuesday that even in the absence of any specific security threat to next week's presidential inauguration, civilian and military forces had been ordered to an extraordinarily high state of alert.

"You can well imagine that the security for this occasion will be unprecedented," Mr. Ridge said at a news conference. "Protective measures will be seen. There will be quite a few that are not seen. Our goal is that any attempt on the part of anyone or any group to disrupt the inaugural will be repelled by multiple layers of security."

more...

[havocmom]

1. Do all the DEMS in Congress sit together for this shin-dig?

Just pondering that Doomsday Plan the Republicans set up.

[Ganja Ninja]

2. But I thought we were fighting them over there so we didn't ...

have to fight them over here.

[oneighty]

3. Beware the box cutters

human bombs and so on.

180

[spinbaby]

4. Who's paying for this high level of alert?

The city, I'll bet.

[JHB]

7. Yep. In the past the costs were reimbursed to the city...

...but not THIS time (take that!, you blue voters!).

[carolinalady]

11. Yes they have been told to use some of the homeland

security grant they received. It is causing a big dispute because they had already earmarked the money for other projects. The city thinks that * should pay for his own party.

[LibDemAlways]

5. "Any attempt on the part of anyone

to disrupt..."

This isn't about "terrorists." This is about stopping angry Americans determined to exercise their 1st Amendment right to protest the fradulent boy king's coronation.

[oneold1-4u]

12. disrupt?

"." is paranoid and will have apoplexy every time someone hollers or screams and god forbid anyone would break wind loudly!(petard)
Besides the 40 million for parties, this fiasco is costing the US tax (broken bank) 10 times that for just the military and other federal security that are on hand from now through at least the end of the month.
If anything happens, it will be blamed on disgruntled Americans first!
If it isn't, then we have a new war on our hands as they blame it on Syria or Iran.

Hard to believe, over 100 posts!

[JHB]

6. Did'ya see this bit:

In part, the officials said, the extraordinary security arrangements at this year's swearing-in, parade and related events represent a chance for the nearly 50 federal agencies involved to show newly bought exotic equipment, specially trained antiterror units and communications networks put into place after the September 2001 attacks.

The military will play a more visible role in this inauguration, with 2,500 troops involved in security, said Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, commander of the Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which coordinates military operations for the inauguration.

"We believe we are ready to deter any type of attack," General Jackman said before Mr. Ridge's news conference.

The general wore camouflage gear as he spoke with reporters in front a group of battle-dressed soldiers who carried automatic weapons.

Is this an inauguration or a May Day parade? Time to add "Comrade" to the list of * nicknames.

[oneold1-4u]

13. Military ERROR

If this turns into another Kent State, it will be a worse disaster than 9/11 if only one person dies needlessly. Who wants to die for this regime? It would indeed be one grand old PARTY!

[grumpy old fart]

8. We are "at war", and yet we have a lavish, expensive coronation.....

thousands of men and women murdered and maimed by this thug...and to "honor the military" let's throw a big corporatist party.....this is just vulgar.

[Patsy Stone]

9. It's because they hate us for our freedom... n/t

[Straight Shooter]

10. We don't protect him because we care, we protect him because he's paranoid

x(

[Catchawave]

14. Ever notice that the level alert's high when it involves

...DEMOCRATS ? Why this is the first 'alert' since the election I've noticed:+

[earth mom]

15. I can't be there

but I really worry for the protestors who will be. If you so much as sneeze is that going to be called a distruption? This is getting beyond sick.

[Benhurst]

16. Uneasy is the head that wears the crown. NT

[Earth_First]

17. Egg tossers beware:

:eyes:

[Jacobin]

18. To justify beating up and marginalizing protesters

What a crock of effluent.

[evolvenow]

19. Dissenter Beware Display at the War Criminal Stealection Evil King Parade.

I am concerned that they will be rolling out all of their shiny new security "toys" to send a message to all of the intelligent, progressive, peaceful protestors, that we got ourselves a POLICE STATE.

Perhaps they will begin handing out armbands. Sickening, while these B*stards, are killing 122,000+ in their illegal war, raping the planet, and bankrupting the ecomony...they are throwing a shin-dig in celebration of their own putrid deeds and deals.

I am worried for the safety of anyone wishing for peace, as this is sounding like an intention of suppression with massive force.