Bloomberg Defends Terror Threat Decision

[sabra]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/10/07/national/a094603D42.DTL&type=printable

Bloomberg Defends Terror Threat Decision

Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Friday defended his decision to go public with the threat that terrorists might want to strike the New York subway system, saying it is essential that authorities err on the side of caution when protecting a city of 8 million people.

"If I'm going to make a mistake you can rest assured it is on the side of being cautious," Bloomberg said at a news conference, flanked by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. But he stressed that he did not think that any mistake had been made.

"We did exactly the right thing," Kelly said.

His remarks came after authorities briefly closed part of Penn Station and commuters headed to work under the watchful eyes of police.

[deminks]

1. Is Smirky trying to undermine Mike?

Mike did not have nice things to say about John Roberts last month. It would be so like Bushco to stage a threat and then blame Mikey for overreacting.

Just a suggestion. Smirkey is really doing a backstroke trying to get himself away from the threat and let Mikey take the blame. Not that I give a whit for Mikey, but the people are who get caught in the middle of this crap.

[Catchawave]

2. NYC Mayor Defends Publicizing Threat

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051008/ap_on_re_us/nyc_subway;_ylt=AiUngdvK4mupRF46ajGihjOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

NEW YORK - Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his police chief insisted Friday they did the right thing by going public with a terrorist threat to bomb the New York subway, brushing aside suggestions from Washington that they overreacted to information of dubious credibility.

While the mayor and federal officials weighed the threat's severity, the investigation into the alleged plot advanced as a third suspect was arrested and authorities looked into whether a fourth person took part in the scheme.

A law enforcement official in New York, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the tightening of security was prompted by an informant's report of a plot to attack the subway system with bombs hidden in bags and possibly baby strollers.

"If I'm going to make a mistake, you can rest assured it is on the side of being cautious," Bloomberg said.

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