U.S. warns of multiple al-Qaida plots

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: WTOP.com

WASHINGTON - Last week, German authorities discovered that groups of terrorists may have been dispatched from training bases in Pakistan to launch crippling attacks.

In April, U.S. intelligence officials warned Germany about possible terror attacks. Since that time German security officials have reportedly been preparing for massive, multi-layered attacks for which al-Qaida has become known.

Shortly after the April warning, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth said in an unrelated interview, "You will understand that I can't go into the details of the terrorist threat, but I can only tell you that we all know that we have to be vigilant and that we have to continue to work very hard on that, but I do not want to go into details."

Intelligence suggests al-Qaida operatives are planning to plant multiple explosive devices in several locations and detonate them either in a simultaneous or sequential fashion.

Read more: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=778&sid=1711695

[tekisui]

1. I posted this earlier, and was surprised that it got zero response.

Germany has an election coming up, I take this threat seriously.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Why would Germany be a target?

[tekisui]

10. They have the third largest troop force in Afghanistan.

[mike_c]

3. fear of terrorism is a VERY low priority for me....

Since I'm much more likely to be killed by black mamba snakes emerging from my ass than by terrorists, I'm a strong advocate for government action to address the black mamba situation. Terrorism, not so much.

We might have to give up some basic freedom to gain security from black mamba ass attacks, but it's worth it!

[WheelWalker]

6. I recommend carrying snake loads

as the first two rounds in every magazine

[global1]

9. BushCo Ignored The Aug '01 PDB And Look What Happened.....

I'm hoping the the Obama Administration will take any of these threats seriously and take action to prevent. I don't want Cheney's ramblings confirmed by any such attack - in Germany, here or elsewhere.

[kenfrequed]

24. Uhm

Taking a threat seriously is one thing. The Brits took all of the IRA's threats seriously, but when they behaved RATIONALLY and didn't cable-news-shout-out every imagined enemy plot they were rather effective at curtailing both the IRA and PIRA.

Why are we giving free publicity to every imagined friggin plot?

[truth2power]

15. *chuckle* Thanks for the humor. But seriously..

I don't worry much about terrorism. I could have a tree fall on me or something.

A couple of years ago, after an ice storm, a 10 year old girl in my community went out to walk her dog. A tree limb cracked and fell on her and killed her. Not to make light of this at all, but you just never know.

In my view, if the US would stop meddling in other countries' business and stop stealing their natural resources (we're in Afghanistan to help their citizens feel safe from the Taliban, doncha' know) :rofl: :rofl: terrorist attacks would be rare.

edit> for clarity.

[Arkana]

20. I have a fear of snakes that exceeds Indiana Jones'.

And now I will not sleep tonight.

[Juche]

22. outrage * threat = response

I think that is the equation from freakonomics. Terrorism doesn't really pose much of a material threat to most people, but it poses a huge outrage threat. Far more people die from car wrecks, drowning in pools, falling down stairs, etc. then will ever die of terrorism. But it still has a massive psychological effect and curbing that effect is important. After the US terror attacks our country went protofascist for a while with mindless slogans, mistreatment of people who spoke out (remember the Dixie Chicks or journalists who spoke out) and unity around Bush which was abused to trick us into the Iraq war.

Terrorism itself may not be a material threat, it is more of a psychological threat. It can drive a country to do things it never would've done before.

Then again, if they get ahold of serious WMD like chemical or nuclear weapons, it could be a much bigger threat.

[kenfrequed]

23. Good analogy.

Terrorist attacks are not a big part of my daily worries either. The marketed fear of them is still simmering but your odds are better of slipping into a diabetic coma, slipping in the shower and injuring yourself, getting into a fatal car accident, accidentally or intentionally shooting yourself, drowning, dying of pneumonia, or any other number of possible causes than terrorism.

Pumping up an irrational fear of "terrorism" actually gives these armed militants more power than they really possess and increases their recruiting capacity.

Someone up front and with a big name needs to inject a bit of friggin reality into this formula.

[atreides1]

4. Didn't we play this game ?

This sounds like the same "Chicken Little" reports under the Bush administration. When does this BS stop?

[Vidar]

8. Sure as hell does.

[SkyDaddy7]

17. Is it election time?

Did not think so...So, the idea that it is the same is not a good one.

Are you in the camp that says there are no external terrorist threats that Obama should worry about? Kinda like Bush before 9/11?

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. It is in Germany

Election day is September 27.

[Vidar]

28. Thanks for the clarification.

[tekisui]

11. Could be.

But, I remember London, Madrid, Mumbai, Jakarta and NY/DC. It could just be fear for fears sake, or it could be real. Germany is holding elections in 3 months.

[BeGoodDoGood]

13. It shouldn't be too hard to AQ to strike.........

somewhere in the West with a Madrid or London type attack.

Just my impression. Cops can't be everywhere and it doesn't seem that we have penetrated their cells -ever-.

Walt

[SkyDaddy7]

16. No it does not!!!

It is a year and half til the next election...So, this is nothing like Bush terror warnings!!

[get the red out]

5. I hope they stop these attacks

Maybe I am just silly to say this, because we obviously still have the same CIA, but I feel much better about the government we have now working with our allies to prevent terrorist attacks. I just don't feel like there has to be an ulterior motive with every announcement of a threat.

[elleng]

12. Not silly at all ;

SILLY is deceiving oneself that TODAY's announcements are ANYTHING LIKE the old 'be afraid.'

[BobRossi]

7. Economic terroism higher priority for me.

It is affecting millions, not just a few.

[madrchsod]

14. here`s why it`s important....

germany is at the cross roads of terrorism in europe.

....these are the two credible news sites i could find. other sites contain the same information but twists it into vast conspiracy by the left, the right, and space aliens.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/08/29/terror/main520143.shtml

http://www.euronews.net/2007/01/08/german-court-to-sentence-911-conspirator/

[bahrbearian]

19. Are they going to be anything like "Shock and Awe" ?

[Gregorian]

21. Ohhh! Dick Cheney and Fox news must be seething!

They needed surprise attacks.

[TEXASYANKEE]

25. Terrorism, sadly enough, happens

But I know that the response from this Administration will be SO much different than the response from the previous misAdministration. And that knowledge gives me great comfort.

[Arrowhead2k1]

26. I'm not scared of being directly affected by an attack personally.

But I am scared of the repercussions even the smallest attack would have on this country at this time.

[earth mom]

27. Why are they amping up the terra terra terra b.s. again?!

Same shit, different day. :puke:

p.s. There is no such thing as Al Qaida.

[and-justice-for-all]

29. al-Qaida? still pushing this nonexistent enemy I see..

al-Qaida has never existed. Taliban, yes..al-Qaida however is a never.

[Freddie Stubbs]

31. Does President Obama know that al-Qaida has never existed?

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/the_war_we_need_to_win.php

Is he a liar, or simply misinformed?

:shrug:

[conspirator]

30. You mean multiple cheney and elite plots against our freedoms nt

[underpants]

32. Wow so they didn't take 8 months to pay attention to this security issue?

Good to see we have some adults back in the White House

[smirkymonkey]

33. You know, these people remind me of those annoying friends

who tell you they have heard some really good/bad gossip about someone/something, but they are sworn to secrecy and they can't tell you exactly what it is or who it's about.

Well, then why the f**k did you even bring it up, you idiot!! :grr: