Suspect’s Father Told U.S. of Son’s Extremism - NYT

[Bozita]

Source: NYTimes

December 27, 2009
Suspect’s Father Told U.S. of Son’s Extremism

By ERIC SCHMITT and ERIC LIPTON


WASHINGTON — The Nigerian man accused of trying to ignite an incendiary device aboard a trans-Atlantic jetliner on Friday came to the attention of American officials at least “several weeks ago,” but the initial information was not specific enough to raise alarms that he could potentially carry out a terrorist attack, a senior Obama administration official said on Saturday.

The investigative file was opened after the father of the suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, warned officials at the United States Embassy in Nigeria of his son’s increasingly extremist religious views, the official said.

“The information was passed into the system, but the expression of radical extremist views were very nonspecific,” said the senior administration official, who has been briefed on the inquiry but spoke on condition of anonymity because it is continuing. “We were evaluating him, but the information we had was not a lot to go on.”

The incident prompted a significant change to airline security. International passengers will not be allowed to move about aircraft during the last hour of a flight, and there will be extra screening of baggage at airports.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/us/27terror.html?ref=global-home

[ixion]

1. previous knowledge... on terror watch list... NOT on no-fly list

very curious. :tinfoilhat:

Seems like old times. :(

[Wilms]

2. Meanwhile, Ted Kennedy was on a no-fly list.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17073-2004Aug19.html

[no_hypocrisy]

3. And Cat Stevens.

[DesertFlower]

4. i feel sorry for the parents. they didn't raise their

son to become a terrorist.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. er - it was a firecracker

how come it suddenly became an incendiary device? A post name for a firecracker. Tell me how he got a firecracker through security?

[RamboLiberal]

10. Catch up with the news - it wasn't a firecracker

According to investigators, the bomb on Northwest flight 253, which was en route from Amsterdam to Detroit when suspect Umar farouk Abdulmutallab allegedly detonated it, contained more than 80 grams of PETN. The material was allegedly sewn into Abdulmutallab's underwear, and was not detected by airport security.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/northwest-flight-saved-failed-detonator/story?id=9426532

[buckrogers1965]

6. Very interesting.

Funny how someone whose father warned us about, then who bought a ticket on a flight wasn't investigated at the checkin.

I get searched better than this guy every time I fly and I am a former Army officer.

[Christa]

7. Very weird

That no one investigated the son, that no one called the alarm.

Someone was asleep at the wheel.

[defendandprotect]

8. ...and the tons of info on 9/11 that came in for months before was also not "specific" enough . . .

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MIHOP

[Pavulon]

12. Some guy burning his junk , not mihop

to bad the cap did not fire and just blow his balls off. Preventing him reproducing.

[defendandprotect]

21. You're underinformed . . .

I'll waste a little time though trying to give you some info --

Almost every nation was warning us for months that there was to be an attack --

skyscrapers -- hijacking of airplanes --

Many nations -- especially Russia -- were concerned about the White House's "Operatio Ignore" ...

All of the nations were informing not only the WH but all of our intelligence agencies --

Finally, Russia went to the United Nations Security Council with the info --

In AUGUST 2001, JUST BEFORE THE ATTACKS . . .

THE UNITED NATIONS SENT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND TO OUR INTELLIGENCE

AGENCIES --

This was a mirror image of what was happening with Tenet/CIA "Bin Laden Determined to Strike

Within the US" . . . which Bush also ignored.

OK -- now you can ignore this --

[Pavulon]

23. I dont do ignore, defeats the purpose.

you will note the government has problems keeping information secret. NSA operations with telco was squashed before discovery phase, numerous leaks are out there. You really think they could pull this off without someone disclosing it and leaving no trace?

Not putting information together, like a guy who was on watch lists, is not mihop.

We had already been hit in africa and with the cole incident. They missed it, like how they missed iraq invading saudi and the USSR invading satellite states.

[defendandprotect]

24. You will note that the government continues to successfully keep much information secret . . .

especially corrupt government --

and war is an excellent way behind which to hide wrongdoing --

Keep in mind that the reports that Gore won 2000, even in Florida, were coming

out as Bush was activating these wars -- what chance did citizens have to even

hear about or reflect on that info?

"National Security" is an effective tool to keep the public from knowing what's really

going on -- and the entire FOIA system has been distorted, stopped or substantially

slowed down.

No one is basing the understanding of our many "false flag" operations on this incident --

which is pure nonsense. Go back to "Operation Northwoods" to understand false flag"

operations. Go back to Nixon's "Huston Plan" to understand it.

Historically, US has used "false flag" operations!

And I suppose they just "missed" having NORAD on duty on 9/11? NORAD was AWOL.

The majority of our Fighter jets had been moved completely out of the area.

Had they told us that the Russians had succeeded in doing 9/11, we'd still be ROFL.

And how long was the wiretapping going on before Americans were informed by our press?

NY Times held up the info for a year -- until after the elections.

And, the wiretapping began the day Bush walked into the White House -- NOT after 9/11.

Same with the Patriot Act -- it was produced BEFORE 9/11.

You might also note the coverups which continue on and on . . .

from the coup on JFK and our "people's" government to Iran-Contra --

Our government has been corrupted in large part -- and continues to be.

And that includes our political parties -- two party tyranny.

9/11 was MIHOP --

and you might begin with the Pentagon fakery --

Watch Jamie McIntyre's CNN video telling Americans clearly "NO PLANE HIT THE PENTAGON" . . .

Can't think of the name of the NORAD official who sent a jet up immediately to "fly over the

Pentagon and see what hit it" -- The report came back: "NO PLANE HIT THE PENTAGON" --

And that's just a small part of the obviousness of MIHOP

[pundaint]

9. These lists are so large that they are useless, or worse, a distraction.

What is the purpose of the new restriction - to keep people who can't swim from blowing up planes? "Ooh, we're over water, I can't light the fuse now, I'll drown." Soon we'll eliminate the bacon and hotdogs from terminals because of the nitrates.

[No Elephants]

15. They are not useless. They are computerized and can be checked easily.

And, if that takes too long, invent software that makes the process speedier. (Most people do reserve seats in advance, so only a relatively small number per flight need to be checked at the airport, just prior to the flight.)

What actually makes the list useless? NOT PUTTING SOMEONE'S NAME ON IT AFTER HIS OWN FATHER WARNS US HE IS A DANGER TO THE US.

(yes, I'm angry at our dumbass bureaucracy. Unfortunately, we have to pay them; unfortunately, our lives are in their hands and unfortunately, they don't do their damned jobs.)

[Judi Lynn]

11. Father warned US about plane bomb suspect's behaviour

Page last updated at 02:36 GMT, Sunday, 27 December 2009
Father warned US about plane bomb suspect's behaviour

The father of a Nigerian charged with trying to blow up a US jet on Christmas Day had voiced concerns to US officials about his son, it has emerged.

The father, a top Nigerian banker, warned US authorities weeks ago about 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's extreme religious views.

An Obama administration official told the New York Times the report had been received, but had been non-specific.

Airports worldwide have beefed up security after the alleged attack.

Mr Abdulmutallab was formally charged by a US federal judge at a Michigan hospital where he is being treated for burns after allegedly trying to detonate a device.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8431470.stm

[defendandprotect]

25. And we're supposed to believe this is "mere incompetence" . . .!!!???

What a joke -- on us!!

[rosesaylavee]

13. Swell. Guess now the TSA will ask us to remove our underwear along with our shoes. n/t

[madokie]

17. Flying underwearless may be fun

I can just see it now, get on plane and have a seat, a curtain comes down and you remove all your clothing then they cover you with a towel or something then the next person then the next until all is seated totally naked other than having a piece of cloth draped over their naked bodies.
Then a big orgy breaks out with all that free time and the russian hands and roman fingers :rofl:

Quit doing things that make those people want to kill us, Problem solved. Whats so difficult about that?

[rosesaylavee]

18. Make love, not war!

:rofl:

Can we choose our seats AFTER we get to the airport? That could potentially be a problem if your seat mate is not... um... acceptable. :P

[No Elephants]

14. What in God's name are Homeland Security, TSA, the FBI and the CIA actually good for?

They fouled up on 911 and they fouled up on getting this guy on the no fly list after his own father warned us. And now we can't go to the john the last (scheduled) hour of a flight, even if the plane does not actually land on time?

This is why people don't want to pay taxes. It's not because they don't want good government services. It's because they don't get them, even on what should be government's number 1 priority, namely keeping its citizens alive.

And we fucking take it, even if our bladders and colons burst while our government is busy taking our money to hand to the rich-- and NOT doing its job.

[truthisfreedom]

16. "Even if our bladders and colons burst..." HEAR HEAR!

The terrorists win.

[defendandprotect]

22. Great question . . . .what good were they on 9/11 . . .and NORAD was AWOL -- !!!

Had they told us that the Russians had managed to do this, we'd still be

laughing --

:evilgrin:

[jberryhill]

26. Oh, I See.... Anyone claiming to be a parent should get anyone on the no fly list

Tell me you actually believe I should be able to call a US embassy, say "so and so is a terrorist" and get that person on the no fly list.

You really believe it should work that way?

[24601]

19. And this administration did WHAT with the information? I suppose

after blaming Bush, Cheney, Palin, Lieberman & Burris, they called a top-flight law firm to ensure the asshole was lawyered-up. After all, terrorism is just a criminal problem, like pickpockets and bank-robbers.

They are slightly behind the 1990s curve for repeating history. They also will need to cut at least 40% of the intelligence community and then claim surprise as being surprised.

Connecting the dots is SO 1st decade of the 21st century. For the 2nd decade we'll need something new to represent hope & change, maybe the dots can be unfilled circles that kids can color in. Those who create the prettiest picture get a free full-body screening by Thousands Standing Around, aka TSA, and a voucher for a colonoscopy under the new federal health care allocation authority.

[krabigirl]

20. Wow...what a surprise, our government is incompetent.

Scary. But no, we should be happy to not be able to pee in the last hour (or more...) of flight and to sit like a statuie for that time. We are being kept safe!!11!! lmao

[jberryhill]

27. SO WHAT?

I should call up embassies, pick random people, claim I am their father, and get them on the no fly list.

I'm amazed folks think it should work that way.

[Abq_Sarah]

28. The father wasn't some unknown guy off the street

He was a very well known and respected businessman and chairman of the largest bank in Nigeria. He warned the embassy and the Nigerian government that his son had become radicalized and had gone to Yemen.

That should have sent up some red flags.

[jberryhill]

29. Again so what?

No, an "important businessman" doesn't get you onto the no fly list just because he says so.

[Abq_Sarah]

30. Well, if we wait

Until a wanna-be terrorist actually murders people, it's a little too freaking late for the No-fly list, don'tcha think? If a statement from his father, a well respected and influential man, that his son was radicalized and training in Yemen doesn't get the state department to revoke a tourist visa, I guess killing a few hundred people wouldn't either.

[jberryhill]

31. False Dichotomy

Clearly, there is a no-fly list, composed of persons who met whatever criteria there are for getting on it.

There are a lot of "well respected and influential" people in the world. Their say-so apparently does not constitute a reason to put a name on the list, absent whatever evidence there may be for a reason to put the name on the list.

I am absolutely certain there are "well respected and influential" people with some sort of an axe to grind with me. They do not constitute a privileged class that can simply phone in names of others whom they do not wish to be able to use airplanes.

What you want is the "secret police" type of arrangement in which good citizens spy on their family and friends for the purpose of having harm come to them.

Without question, there are "well respected and influential" people who do not get along, for one reason or another, with their children. Big flipping deal.

[Abq_Sarah]

32. Uh-huh

That you would automatically assume it was a parent trying to fuck over their kid is a bit... odd.

[jberryhill]

33. I would not automatically assume anything about third party information

That's the point.

Obviously, even if the information is accurate, it is quite literally a parent trying to screw over their "kid" (in this case a grown adult), so I don't get your point.

[Abq_Sarah]

34. Wow... just wow

You view a parent who is reporting that their kid is radicalized and is a threat as that parent trying to "screw over" their kid as if the parent should just let little Abdulah strap on those explosives if that's his heart's desire.


Yeah, you don't get my point.

[jberryhill]

35. "little Abdulah"

We are talking about a 23 year old man who had a falling out with his family. His dad was teed off and "reported" him because he somehow believed that authorities would force his son to come home:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/lonely-bomber-umar-farouk-abdulmutallabs-religious-angst-posted-online/story-e6frg6so-1225814510741

Abdulmutallab, 23, abruptly told his family he would abandon the life that took him from a $28,000-a-year private school in Togo to a degree at an illustrious London university. That message pushed his father, a prominent banker from Nigeria, to contact security officials and the US embassy to bring his son home.
...

The family said Abdulmutallab's father, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, reached out to Nigerian security forces about two months ago. The father followed up with officials at the US embassy in Abuja last month. "We were hopeful that they would find and return him home," the family statement said.

Yeah, some rich guy is upset that he can't control his adult son's life anymore. Like that never happens...

He expected the US government to be some kind of personal delivery service. He wanted his son on a plane.

[Abq_Sarah]

36. Well, you've already framed the story

And cast the father as some evil SOB. That eviiiil bastard wanted to prevent his son from becoming radicalized and murdering people. Can you imagine that?

[Retrograde]

37. Unfortunately, he started his email with

"Hello. I'm a Nigerian banker..."

(yeah, bad joke I heard on the local talk show yesterday, but I had to share it. Even more unfortunately, with all the money that's been poured into Homeland Security and other intelligence and anti-terrorism efforts it seems like the various agencies still aren't talking to each other.)