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Treating Terrorism Like a Crime vs. an Act of War

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 8:03:32 PM

Via Jonah Goldberg at The Corner blog on National Review Online:


Allegedly?   [Jonah Goldberg]

Here's a small example of the difference between treating terrorism like a crime and like an act of war. In his press conference today:

Here's what we know so far: On Christmas Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit. As the plane made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, setting off a fire.

If we know it, how "allegedly" can it be? And we do know it, right? I mean there are lots of witnesses, we have identified the device and the explosive and the guy has reportedly admitted what he was trying to do. And al Qaeda has admitted they were behind the plot (or at least an al Qaeda website says so). But the commander-in-chief still says "allegedly."

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YzlhZDQ0MzlkNDNiNWY4NzEwYzMwYmZjYjcxMzg0Zjg=

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Photos of Bomb on Northwest Flight 253

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 8:02:04 PM

EXCLUSIVE: Photos of the Northwest Airlines Bomb

Accused Bomber Abdulmutallab's Underwear, Explosive Packet and Detonator

By RICHARD ESPOSITO and BRIAN ROSS
Dec. 28, 2009

A singed pair of underwear with a packet of powder sewn into the crotch, seen in government photos obtained exclusively by ABC News, is all that remains of al Qaeda's attempt to down an American passenger plane over Detroit.

As seen in these photos, the alleged bomb consisted of a packet of powder sewn into the briefs of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian. Al Qaeda took credit Monday for the attempted bombing, boasted of its ability to overcome U.S. intelligence and airport security, and promised new attacks.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/northwest-airlines-bomb-photos/story?id=9436297
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Al Qaeda Leaders in Charge of Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot were Released from Guantanamo in 2007

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 8:00:09 PM

Two al Qaeda Leaders Behind Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot Were Released by U.S.

Former Guantanamo Prisoners Believed Behind Northwest Airlines Bomb Plot; Sent to Saudi Arabia in 2007

By BRIAN ROSS, ANNA SCHECTER and JOSEPH RHEE
Dec. 28, 2009

Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines passenger jet over Detroit were released by the U.S. from the Guantanamo prison in November, 2007, according to American officials and Department of Defense documents. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the Northwest bombing in a Monday statement that vowed more attacks on Americans.

American officials agreed to send the two terrorists from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia where they entered into an "art therapy rehabilitation program" and were set free, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.

Guantanamo prisoner #333, Muhamad Attik al-Harbi, and prisoner #372, Said Ali Shari, were sent to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2007, according to the Defense Department log of detainees who were released from American custody. Al-Harbi has since changed his name to Muhamad al-Awfi.


http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/northwest-flight-253-al-qaeda-leaders-terror-plot/story?id=9434065
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Government is Pretty Optimistic

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 4:01:51 PM
Two Economies: Government Workers Optimistic, Private Sector Not

Government employees are much more bullish about the economy than those who work in the private sector. That’s a big change from the beginning of the year when those on the public payroll were a bit more pessimistic than private sector workers.

Data from the Rasmussen Consumer Index from the past seven days shows that a plurality of government workers think the economy is getting better while those who work in the private sector tend to have the opposite view. Those in the government sector are also more upbeat about the current state of the economy and their own personal finances.

Today, 46% of government employees say the economy is getting better while just 31% say it’s getting worse. Among those who work in the private sector, the numbers are reversed: 32% say better and 49% worse.


http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/indexes/rasmussen_consumer_index2/two_economies_government_workers_optimistic_private_sector_not
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Only Have to Wait Until 2011

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 4:00:14 PM

Israeli defense chief: Iran can build bomb by 2011


Mon Dec 28, 8:15 am ET

JERUSALEM – Iran will possess the technology to build a nuclear bomb by early 2010 and be able to produce one the following year, Israeli media quoted Israel's defense minister as saying Monday.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak delivered his assessment before the Israeli parliament's defense and foreign affairs committee. It broadly matches assessments from other nations including the U.S., which estimates that Tehran could produce a nuclear weapon between 2010 and 2015.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091228/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_iran


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Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 3:47:25 PM

Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Attempted Bombing of U.S. Plane

Monday, December 28, 2009

CAIRO  —  Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula on Monday claimed responsibility for the attack on a U.S. airliner bound for Detroit on Christmas Day, saying it was retaliation for a U.S. operation against the group in Yemen.

Federal authorities met Monday to reassess the U.S. system of terror watchlists to determine how to avoid the type of lapse that allowed a man with explosives to board the flight in Amsterdam even though he was flagged as a possible terrorist.

In a statement posted on the Internet, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab coordinated with members of the group, an alliance of militants based in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Yemeni forces, helped by U.S. intelligence, carried out two airstrikes against Al Qaeda operatives in the country this month. The second one was a day before Abdulmutallab attempted to bring down a Northwest Airlines flight as it prepared to land in Detroit.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581307,00.html
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No Public Option Needed

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 9:05:16 AM

Top House Dems OK to Drop Gov't Option

AP

Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House and one who had appealed to President Obama, said he could vote for a final bill that does not embrace a 'public' plan.


WASHINGTON -- Two House Democrats who favor a government insurance plan, a central element of health care legislation passed in their chamber, acknowledged Sunday it might have to be sacrificed as negotiators work out a final agreement with the Senate.

Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House and one who had appealed to President Barack Obama not to yield on the so-called public plan, set out conditions for yielding himself.

Asked during rounds on the Sunday news shows whether he could vote for a final bill that does not embrace a public plan, Clyburn said: "Yes, sir, I can."

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/28/house-dems-ok-drop-govt-option/

 


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Biggest Tax Increase in American History Dead?

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 8:59:42 AM

Senate Democrats to W.H.: Drop cap-and-trade



By LISA LERER | 12/27/09 7:10 AM EST

Bruised by the health care debate and worried about what 2010 will bring, moderate Senate Democrats are urging the White House to give up now on any effort to pass a cap-and-trade bill next year.

“I am communicating that in every way I know how,” says Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), one of at least half a dozen Democrats who've told the White House or their own leaders that it's time to jettison the centerpiece of their party's plan to curb global warming.

The creation of an economy-wide market for greenhouse gas emissions is as the heart of the climate bill that cleared the House earlier this year. But with the health care fight still raging and the economy still hurting, moderate Democrats have little appetite for another sweeping initiative — especially another one likely to pass with little or no Republican support.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30984.html



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15 People Killed in Iran

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 8:58:18 AM

Report: At Least 15 Killed in Tehran Clashes

Monday, December 28, 2009

At least 15 people were killed during massive anti-government protests in Tehran when opposition supporters clashed with security forces in the streets, Iranian state television reported Monday.

The report said 10 people killed during Sunday's fierce clashes in the Iranian capital were members of "anti-revolutionary terrorist" groups, apparently referring to opposition supporters.

The other five who died were killed by "terrorist groups" in a "suspicious act," the report said, without elaborating.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581264,00.html


Tags: Iran  
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Is Something Up in Israel?

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 8:56:36 AM
Hmm… Israel Calls ALL Ambassadors Home For Special Meeting in Jerusalem
Sunday, December 27, 2009, 9:44 PM
Jim Hoft

For the first time ever, Israel has called ALL of its ambassadors and consuls home for meetings this week in Jerusalem.
The meetings opened today.
MFA.gov reported:

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The "Taken Out of Context" Excuse

Posted by Defend America on Monday, December 28, 2009 8:55:48 AM

Napolitano says airline security system failed

© 2009 The Associated Press

Dec. 28, 2009, 6:30AM

WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says the aviation security system failed when a young man on a watch list with a U.S. visa in his pocket and a powerful explosive hidden on his body was allowed to board a fight from Amsterdam to Detroit.

A day after saying the system worked, Napolitano said her words had been taken out of context. She said Monday on NBC's "Today" show that "our system did not work in this instance."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6789046.html


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Mutallab Defended 9/11

Posted by Defend America on Sunday, December 27, 2009 10:55:45 PM

Abdulmutallab's bomb plans began with classroom defence of 9/11

The son of one of Africa’s richest families was called "Imam" by fellow students as he descended into fanaticism

Dominic Kennedy, Investigations Editor

The rich kid with a brilliant school record was a ticking time bomb even before he turned up as an international student living in his father’s mansion block apartment in Britain.

Classmates remember Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab as such a pious youth that he was nicknamed “the Pope”.

Suicide bombers typically take half a dozen years to descend from religious fanaticism to “martyrdom”, which appears to be the case for this young Nigerian, a security expert said.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6969075.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093



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Mutallab Had an Aide?

Posted by Defend America on Sunday, December 27, 2009 10:52:49 PM

Flight 253 passenger: Sharp-dressed man aided terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab onto plane without passport (MLive.com exclusive)

By Sheena Harrison | MLive.com

December 26, 2009, 2:22PM

A Michigan man who was aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 says he witnessed Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab trying to board the plane in Amsterdam without a passport.

Kurt Haskell of Newport, Mich., who posted an earlier comment about his experience, talked exclusively with MLive.com and confirmed he was on the flight by sending a picture of his boarding pass. He and his wife, Lori, were returning from a safari in Uganda when they boarded the NWA flight on Friday.

Haskell said he and his wife were sitting on the ground near their boarding gate in Amsterdam, which is when they saw Mutallab approach the gate with an unidentified man.

Kurt and Lori Haskell are attorneys with Haskell Law Firm in Taylor. Their expertise includes bankruptcy, family law and estate planning.

While Mutallab was poorly dressed, his friend was dressed in an expensive suit, Haskell said. He says the suited man asked ticket agents whether Mutallab could board without a passport. “The guy said, 'He's from Sudan and we do this all the time.'”

Mutallab is Nigerian. Haskell believes the man may have been trying to garner sympathy for Mutallab's lack of documents by portraying him as a Sudanese refugee.

The ticket agent referred Mutallab and his companion to her manager down the hall, and Haskell didn't see Mutallab again until after he allegedly tried to detonate an explosive on the plane.

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/12/flight_253_passenger_says_at_l.html

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More to Come Very Soon?

Posted by Defend America on Sunday, December 27, 2009 10:51:03 PM

25 Brits in jet bomb plots

By ANTHONY FRANCE
Crime Reporter
and ALEX WEST

Published: Today

COPS fear that 25 British-born Muslims are plotting to bomb Western airliners.

The fanatics, in five groups, are now training at secret terror camps in Yemen.

It was there London-educated Umar Abdulmutallab, 23, prepared for his Christmas Day bid to blow up a US jet.

The British extremists in Yemen are in their early 20s and from Bradford, Luton and Leytonstone, East London.

They are due to return to the UK early in 2010 and will then await internet instructions from al-Qaeda on when to strike.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2785733.ece

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Death Toll Rises

Posted by Defend America on Sunday, December 27, 2009 7:57:29 PM

Death Toll Rises to 10 as Clashes in Iran Intensify


By ROBERT F. WORTH and NAZILA FATHI
Published: December 27, 2009

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Iranian police opened fire into crowds of protesters on Sunday, killing at least 10 people, witnesses and opposition Web sites said, and setting off a day of chaotic street battles that seemed poised to deepen the country’s civil unrest.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/world/middleeast/28iran.html?_r=2&hp


Tags: Iran  
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