October 06, 2005
New York Terror Alert
LIVE-BLOGGING,so it might be sloppy:
Fox New television is reporting the New York Police Department has raised the terror threat level on the New York subway system, and has increased police patrols.
Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commisioner Ray Kelly says there is "sufficient concern" of a a specific terror threat against a specific target in the subway system in coming days, but the nature of the threat remains classified, though he did reveal that this threat originated overseas. Police officials are increasing bag searches and increasing the number of undercover officerson subway trains.
Interestingly enough, unlike similar threats in the past, they have mentioned that elements of this threat have been "partially disrupted," which I take to mean that this threat is concrete, though Bloomberg is saying no arrests or detentions have been made. I read this to mean that the bombers were denied entry into the United States, but that is just wild speculation.
According to Mayor Bloomberg, this is the first credible threat to the NYC subway system.
To my friends in NYC keep your eyes open, and come home safe.
Update:
Via ABC News:
The New York Police Department is investigating what it deems a credible tip that 19 operatives have been deployed to the city to place bombs in the subway, and security in the subways will be increased, sources told ABC News.While the police department is taking the threat seriously, it is also urging the public not to be alarmed because – while the source is credible – the information has not been verified.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said this was the most specifically detailed threat made against the subway system, and he urged New Yorkers to be vigilant.
"I wanted to assure New Yorkers that we have done and will continue to do everything we can to protect the city," Bloomberg said. "We will spare no resource. We will spare no expense."
According to sources in intelligence, emergency services and police headquarters, when three Iraqi insurgents were arrested several days ago during a raid by a joint FBI-CIA team, one of those caught disclosed the threat. Because it slipped out during the arrest, the plot was deemed credible.
After several days of work, sources said, the NYPD is increasingly concerned because it has been unable to discredit the initial source and additional information from the source.
The 19 operatives were to place improvised explosive devices in the subways using briefcases, according to two sources. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said officers will continue to check bags, briefcases and strollers, and additional uniformed and undercover officers will be riding in individual subway cars.
Wait a minute...the Iraqi insurgency is involved? Where were these guys arrested? I'll be very interested to find out if these terrorists report to al-Zarqawi or Bin Laden.
MSNBC is showing live shots of crowded Manhattan sidewalks, scanning their cameras back and forth like they are hoping to catch a blast live. Maybe I'm misinterpreting this, but it looks sick. Then they jump to their story of Rove testifying befor the grand jury again. Priorities, and all...
More
The Jawa Report here and here.
GOP in the City even has a chilling email forecasting the attack from within DHS. So much for operational security.
Newsday
Michelle Malkin
In the Bullpen
The Political Teen has the press conference video
CounterTerrorism Blog
Terrorism Unveiled
Clarity & Resolve thinks the threat might be because of Ramadan.
Generation Why has similar thoughts.
Crooks and Liars tries to blame it on Rove. What. A. Tool.
Democratic Underground likewise, but then, they think air is a Rovian conspiracy.
Tapscott's Copy Desk theorizes about a OU suicide bomber tie-in. Not completely off the wall, but I think he's stretching it to the limit.
Parkway Rest Stop finds the most dangerous place to be.
Ace of Spades gets the final word.
I think that's about it for the live-blogging and first reactions. I'll try to shoot for some analysis later.
Update: Analysis posted.
Assuming this is all for real, I wonder if the fact that 19 terrorists were delegated to the task is meant to be an unnerving echo of the 19 murderers on 9/11. If there's one thing Al Qaeda has shown, it's that it's very much into symbolism.
On a different subject, if this is the real deal, and if the abortive attempt in Oklahoma was a real deal, it looks as if Al Qaeda in America is emerging from its 4 year post 9/11 slumber.
Posted by: Bookworm at October 6, 2005 06:48 PMI listened to Joseph Farahs radio show last week and he was interviewing Paul Williams.
Williams made a pretty strong case about a Ramadan Offensive. Here is an article about it.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46587
I know many people dis Williams and his claims, but he made some reasonable points to me.
Jenny Hatch
Posted by: Jenny Hatch at October 6, 2005 10:31 PM19. The same as the number of 9/11 terrorists. And we know the enemy's preference for numerical symbolism - a kind of evil, Islamic Kabbalah.
This makes me wonder if a date chosen on the same basis - as the dates of the london and madrid bombings were? Perhaps - well, I won't speculate in print, but I hope Homeland Security is speculating in private.
Fat chance
"According to sources in intelligence, emergency services and police headquarters, when three Iraqi insurgents were arrested several days ago during a raid by a joint FBI-CIA team, one of those caught disclosed the threat. Because it slipped out during the arrest, the plot was deemed credible."
I'm a little confused by this, were a joint FBI-CIA team operating in Iraq, or is ABC implying we have Iraqi insurgents in this country?
The joint CIA-FBI team was operating south of Baghdad, Iraq when these terrorists - let's call them what they are - were captured.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at October 7, 2005 08:21 AM
Okay, I was unaware the FBI was over there. I was about to eat my keyboard if ABC was calling domestic terrorists "insurgents" lol.
ABC normally would not call domestic terrorists "insurgents." The New York Times might, but not ABC...
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at October 7, 2005 09:03 AMI question the timing of Bush's redirection to the war speech and the announcement of terrorist threat in New York.
Homeland security and New York police differ as to viability of threat.
At least two MSM report that an unknown MSM knew about threat two days ago and kept silent at FBI or police request.
How many days ago did New York Mayor and White House know about threat?
Was the credibility of threat so small that it warranted delay of exposure until after speech?
Could the announcement have been timed to bolster effect of speech ?
Yeah, I had a post up about this, too.
Not that it matters. Just saying. I like to part of the club.
Posted by: Jeff G at October 7, 2005 01:03 PM
