ebrown_p wrote:It is clear to me that a terrorist attack in the US would be very good for the Bush campaign. I am wondering if the terrorists understand this -- and how this would effect their decision.
I agree with this. Totally. The best (and only) guarantee of Bush elected in 2004 will be a bad terrorist attack just before the vote. Despite the fact that this would disprove his whole crazy policy of antagonizing the Arab world in the east to somehow protect the US from terrorism here...
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New Task Force to Coordinate Security
By KATHERINE PFLEGER SHRADER, AP
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WASHINGTON (April 19) - With an eye on a large number of symbolic gatherings, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is forming a new government task force to better coordinate public and private security - and hopefully prevent the next terrorist attack.
Beginning with the dedication of the new World War II Memorial in Washington over the Memorial Day weekend, Ridge said high-profile public events this year may be attractive targets for al-Qaida and like-minded terrorist groups.
"With so many symbolic gatherings in the next few months, we must be aggressive. These targets of opportunity for the terrorists are opportunities that can't be missed to tighten our security,'' Ridge said, according to remarks prepared for a Monday speech.
"Wherever possible, we will ratchet it up,'' he later added.
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With the new task force, Homeland Security officials will be joined by representatives from nine Cabinet-level agencies in an effort to improve coordination as the government works to secure critical infrastructure and increase the nation's readiness.
Ridge was to announce the move officially in a speech Monday at a National Association of Broadcasters meeting in Las Vegas.
Ridge said officials don't have specific intelligence about possible attacks. But based on analysis, the government is paying attention to potential targets.
Potential Terror Targets
Captions source: CNN
These include next month's war memorial dedication, the June meeting in Georgia of the Group of Eight industrialized nations, large gatherings nationwide for Fourth of July celebrations, the July Democratic convention in Boston, the August Republican convention in New York and the August Olympics in Athens.
Jose Maria Aznar, outgoing prime minister of Spain and a strong U.S. ally in the war in Iraq, has warned President Bush that terrorists may try to affect the U.S. elections in November, as they did in Spain with the March 11 Madrid train bombings. Nearly 200 died, and Aznar's ruling Popular Party lost to a rival calling for the pullout of Spanish troops from Iraq.
National security adviser Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the United States is bracing for possible attacks before the elections.
What We Knew
The 9/11 probe has shed some new light, but the question of whether the attack could have been thwarted remains. Details
Ridge, however, said the elections are not the factor in forming the "working group,'' which still lacks an official-sounding name. "Depending on how the terrorists interpret Spain's response - whether it did or did not impact - is almost immaterial to this effort,'' he said. "Again, we know we are the No. 1 target.''
Even though the nation spends most of its time at yellow alert - the middle of a five-point terror warning spectrum - Ridge said security is still stronger than it was a year ago and will continue to improve.
Extensive plans are already in the works to protect the party conventions and the G-8 meeting, which have been classified as National Security Special Events. With the designation - a concept that evolved from the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta - comes heightened security coordinated by Homeland Security's Secret Service agency.
To improve security operations for these and other high-profile events, Ridge said his department is leaning on its authority from two of Bush's homeland-security directives to create the task force, which will also work with industry, governors and police and other first responders. The group, for instance, will coordinate with states to implement the infrastructure strategies they have submitted to his department.
"Chemical facilities have been on everybody's mind,'' Ridge said, noting that Homeland Security is already working with states and companies to protect more than 300 identified chemical sites.
"There will be a lot more activity in the months ahead,'' he said.
Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
*It seems that the propaganda machine is at work. It also seems that Al Q. would want another NeoFascist term because this has been great for Al Q. expansion. The NeoFascists and Al Q. are a beneficial combo. Without 911 Attack the NeoFascists would never have been able to invade Afghanistan or Iraq. W would never have been a hero war Pres. and his ratings would now be below 30%. A thank you note and cash to Al Q. was prolly sent.
