Question: What is “chatter on Al Qaeda-linked Web sites" (MSNBC)?

[gandalf]

I read this in an MSNBC article on Porter Goss' idea to let the CIA conduct operations inside the US. Later in this article, the threat to the Olympic games is discussed:

It’s not that officials are complacent. But sources say that the "chatter" they are picking up on Al Qaeda-linked Web sites is focused more on targeting the United States mainland and American interests abroad than on possible threats against the Olympics.

I really have difficulties to understand what exactly is meant.

A web site is a set of files on a web server, normally publicly accessible, chatter seems to be a kind of communication. Does that mean that Al Qaeda discusses attack plans via websites?

1) As long as they don't mean discussion forums, a website seems unsuited for communication, because it is static and can only be used for broadcasting. So how can one observe chatter on a website? Or do they mean Al Qaeda makes planes via a discussion forum on one of their own servers?

2) In the REPORT OF THE JOINT INQUIRY INTO THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, it is stated:

Operational security. Terrorist manuals and training emphasize that operations should be kept secret and details compartmented. Communications security is also stressed. (p. 197). That does not seem to fit the suggestion that Al Qaeda is now planning their attacks via their own websites, which would be detrimental to operational security.

A safer means of communications would be, for instance, exchanging encrypted messages via newsnet, in newsgroups. One would avoid to use own web sites.

What do you make of this?

edited for spelling.

[Junkdrawer]

1. The Onion: Al-Qaeda Chatter Deteriorates Into Gossip

WASHINGTON, DC—Terrorist chatter about a possible al-Qaeda attack against the U.S. deteriorated into gossip Monday, according to top federal intelligence officials. "We intercepted a phone call in which two al-Qaeda operatives were discussing plans to conduct reconnaissance missions at certain U.S. landmarks," CIA operative Tim Huber said. "But the conversation quickly devolved into a 20-minute discussion of what someone named Majida Sa'doon was doing at Kanebi Hadi Hameeb's home at sunrise." Huber added that the gossip is a "definite improvement" over the glut of small talk about recipes, children, and goats that dominated conversation at this time last year.

http://onion.com

[gandalf]

4. This deals with a phone call, not with a website

I think they invented it...

[Junkdrawer]

7. Sorry. Couldn't resist - "chatter" is just an odd choice of words... n/t

[iconoclastic cat]

2. They are probably referring to this post.

</joke>

[Trillo]

3. I don't know.

But, putting on the tinfoil hat: maybe they're softening "the people" up for media censorship, specifically to include websites that are not of "approved" corporations.

Ironically, it's the corporations who today are censoring the mass media.

Playing the devils advocate: How can Internet censorship be the solution to corporate media censorship?

[gandalf]

5. Maybe

They are researching possibilities to censor websites anyway, e.g. via ratings and labeling of sites (http://www.w3.org/PICS/).

[zbdent]

6. Very concerned about this chatter:

(in arabic voice)

"Yes, I was about to give it to this American girl up de bunghole, but then she was fired for using her boss's computer to talk about it, and I had already paid her the four hundred dollars . . ."