Pre-Election Terra: It ain't MIHOP but it's just as scary:

[John_H]

There are to many CIA, Military, and FBI folks off the reservation to do a MIHOP or probably even a LIHOP.

But here's what is happening: They know they don't need an actual attack. The fear helps them almost as much as the real thing. Who does terror fears before the election benefit? Rallying around the preznit--Benefits Chimp. Suppressed turnout--benefits Chimp. Reminding people of Roves self-described focus of election--benefits Chimp.

And if there does happen to be a real attack, they're going to make damn sure it helps them. Here's how. Check out the CNN distillation of the WP report.


"One of the terrorists' top goals may be to manipulate this fall's presidential elections... according to U.S. officials."

Translation: Welp, Martha, it's official. Them evildoers are gonna hit us hard. The officials say so.


"The Washington Post reports that al Qaeda operatives were pleased with the change in government in Spain resulting from the March 11 terrorist bombings in Madrid..."

Translation :Those evildoers wanted the weak spineless libruls in power.

"They saw that an attack of that nature can have economic and political consequences and have some impact on the electoral process," one federal official with access to counterterrorism intelligence told The Post.

Translation: Are we 'mercuns gonna let them do it here?

How do we know Bin Laden was happy about the Spanish election? A Bush political appointee says so. How do we know Al Queda wants to do it here? A Bush political appointee tells says so. Why does the media report this "info" as fact? A Bush political appointee tells says so.

No that's really scary.

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/grind/

[zestfolly]

1. Bush Schemes

He most certainly welcomes a terror attack this fall. He plays on fear and vulnerability.

[BlueStateGirl]

2. Stupid question... I am almost afraid to ask.. but why would they

bother manipulating the election? Why not just go after the leaders they want out?

If terrorists targeted politicians instead of shoppers, commuters and people just sitting at their desks in the WTC it seems to me they'd get a lot more accomplished.

If the goal is to effect change, anyway.

If they want to just frighten average Americans they should forgo the high value targets and just let some suicide bombers loose on our malls, fast food joints, Walmarts, etc...

What could be more terrifying to us than that. Being targeted in the most common of places. Grocery stores? Bars? We, as a people would be very fearful, and the economy would collapse.

Yeah, the Olympics and conventions and what not are a big story, but not really frightening to your average American.

[EdGy]

3. this is bullshit:

The Washington Post reports al Qaeda operatives were pleased with the change in government

So the Post has a direct line to al Qaeda operatives? I seriously doubt this.

In fact, Al Qaeda would be much more likely to want hard liner right wingers in power. They overreact and behave in ways that actually in effect undermine their own positions by providing more ammunition to Al Qaeda.

[Cleita]

4. Keeping population in fear is a totalitarian, fascist ploy.

Fortunately, too many Americans are on to this.