Obama says devices on planes held explosive material

[spanone]

WASHINGTON— Calling it a "credible
terrorist threat," President Barack Obama said
apparent explosive material was found on two
U.S.-bound packages from Yemen, triggering
searches of flights with other packages from
Yemen and an investigation into whether al-
Qaida was behind a new terror plot.

Sources told NBC News that both packages
contained toner cartridges with wires and
white powder. The devices were found in
Britain and Dubai last night.

"An initial examination of those packages has
determined that they do apparently contain
explosive material," Obama told reporters.

The devices were "in a form that was designed
to try to carry out some kind of attack," added
White House counterterrorism adviser John
Brennan. "Clearly, from the initial observation,
the initial analysis that was done, the material
that was found ... was intended to do harm."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39911024/ns/us_news-airliner_security/#

[mcollins]

1. WTH?

I thought they just said it wasn't dangerous.

[slackmaster]

2. It wasn't dangerous until it was dangerous

Presence of explosive material does not necessarily mean presence of a viable explosive device.

[mcollins]

5. Ah- ok.

We have the TV on but the sound is turned down and it's hard to figure out what is going on.

[slackmaster]

9. I'm at work and can't even watch TV with the sound off

I rely on DU to tell me what's going on.

:crazy:

[Barack_America]

3. I'd like a definition of "explosive materials".

Was the "white powder" itself combustible or are we talking about the wiring and circuitry forming a detonator?

That's what I don't understand. They were characterized earlier today as "non-explosive" and now they are?

[TheWraith]

6. "Explosive materials" typically means a chemical explosive, not a viable bomb.

For instance, triacetone peroxide, or TATP, is an explosive material. However it doesn't actually explode without a blasting cap.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. C-4 is quite innert

Hell, you can cook with it.

Now add the rest, detonator et al...boom!

[Myrina]

4. ... maybe he was talking about the onboard microwaves and airplane food?

:shrug: Sounds like explosive WMD to me ...

[seabeyond]

8. if only there were those naked scanners or 15 minute feelups... nt