WH Official: "Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big"

[sabra]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060810/pl_afp/britainatta...

<snip>

But Bush's Republicans hoped the raid would yield political gains.

"I'd rather be talking about this than all of the other things that Congress hasn't done well," one Republican congressional aide told AFP on condition of anonymity because of possible reprisals.

"Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big," said another White House official, who also spoke on condition of not being named, adding that some Democratic candidates won't "look as appealing" under the circumstances.

according to the Guardian, they've been monitoring this for several months:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-6006659,00...

<snip>

Details of the plot only emerged for the first time in the early hours. But police later revealed the arrests followed an "unprecedented level of surveillance" - stretching back to December last year - involving meetings, movements, travel, spending and the "aspirations of a large group of people".

[helderheid]

1. yahoo news and the guardian!

recommended

[leveymg]

71. DailyTelegraph: Lieberman told last Thurs.

Joe, Cheney and the GOP have been playing this for political advantage for days. This is a classic case of partisan misuse of intelligence. They should all have their security clearances stripped.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,200...

SNIP

But a senior White House official said that the British government had not launched its raid until well after Mr Cheney held a highly unusual conference call with reporters to attack the Democrats as weak against terrorism. An aide to Senator Lieberman, who would have been one of the first Democrats to hear of the plot because he is the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said the lawmaker first heard of it on Thursday. On Thursday, Mr Cheney had suggested that Democrats believe "that somehow we can retreat behind our oceans and not be actively engaged in this conflict and be safe here at home, which clearly we know we won't, we can't, be," he said.

While some Democrats have opposed some steps in the war on terrorism, and more and more are calling for a withdrawal from Iraq, no major figures in the party have called for a wholesale retreat in the broader conflict. But Mr Bush's Republicans hoped the raid would yield political gains.

"I'd rather be talking about this than all of the other things that Congress hasn't done well," one Republican congressional aide said on condition of anonymity because of possible reprisals. "Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big," said another White House official, who also spoke on condition of not being named, adding that some Democratic candidates won't "look as appealing" under the circumstances.

[HeeBGBz]

82. You can tell the times they are a'changin

When the Yahoo discussion board on this article has no frothing Bushbots to challenge the articles finer points. Just people fed up with Shrubby's world.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Play big? I'm already over it.

[nomo]

3. Why be subtle about it, indeed

They know it, we know it, this whole "terror" bullshit is a propaganda ploy.

[WhiteTara]

93. you said it nomo

welcome to DU

[democrat in Tallahassee]

4. Yes, the republicans failed to get osama and we were endangered

the democrats should take this and run with it. Iraq has distracted us. I don't understand for the life of me why the assholes think failing in the real war on terrorism is a plus for them

[helderheid]

5. WELL SAID.

[Auntie Bush]

90. So true! Should be one of our talking points. It's mine anyway.

"Yes, the republicans failed to get Osama and we were endangered
the democrats should take this and run with it. Iraq has distracted us."

Remind Rethugs that bush "cut and run" from Osama and Afghanistan.
That we are at risk because we've been too busy "staying on course" with no strategy in Iraq and creating more terrorists.

[electropop]

104. Exactly! Another sign that the US/UK/Israel policies are breeding

thousands, perhaps millions of fresh terrorists every week. Why the hell would the GOP think they would benefit from this?

[EVDebs]

107. Article shows Bush wants to cut SS and medicare.... the hidden agenda

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081106O.shtml

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Even 30% of DUers

still fall for this crap.

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. Including some who should know better. nt

[Individualist]

31. Some people still haven't learned

how to connect the dots. You'd think they'd have learned something during the past six years.

[frylock]

51. yep. and they have the audacity to call out the people who see through..

this bullshit, labeling us as kooks. Fuckin rubes.

[proud patriot]

7. disgusting comment

I swear the bush admin thinks life is a game ..

[glitch]

87. They certainly think our lives are game. They are so disconnected they

actually believe we are as shallow as they are and are only impressed with how things "play".
K & R so everybody can read this and

Edit to add the words loathsome and despicable. And another

[CJCRANE]

8. There's that word "aspirations" again

(in the Guardian article).

The last time I heard that mentioned was in relation to the Miami 7.

[truth2power]

83. Right you are, CJ..

And... "CLAIMS that the terrorists COULD HAVE BEEN planning..." Lotta weasel words there. Yep, sounds like another thought crime.

[Aviation Pro]

9. This is becoming a big yawn.....

...if the RepubliCONS want to hang their hat on the Brits success go right ahead. It doesn't make the front burner issues go away.

[Mz Pip]

10. Dems need to emphasize

the the Repugs are looking at the possibility of another huge terrorist attack as a political windfall for them. It's almost as though the GOP is HAPPY there are still terrorists out there trying to kill us.

Being hopeful for political gains shows the true corruptness and cynicism of the GOP. Why the average AMerican seems to continually buy into their fear mongering rhetoric is mind boggling.

THe GOP is happy this happened. The GOP is happy there are terrorists out there. IT works for them politically. They are opportunistic scum.

Mz Pip

[Bretttido]

23. Exactly

[arcane1]

40. Haha! That's a funny joke, Mz Pip!

imagine, Dems calling the Repubes out on their bullshit!!! What a topsy-turvy world that would be!

[Mz Pip]

45. Yeah,

and pigs might fly out my butt. But a girl can hope.



Mz Pip

[rfranklin]

44. PLay it this way: Republicans are OVERJOYED by terrorist plots...

and they have done everything they can to foster more 9/11s. They neglected to capture Osama bin Laden. In fact, Bush has even said he just "doesn't think about him." They have refused to do anything about the festering war in the Middle East. In fact, Bush and the Republicans see this as a good thing and a religious prophecy come true and are hoping for more bloodshed.

[nedbal]

96. YES

[Hugin]

11. Amazing.

Well, we're at Red Alert.

I can't believe it...

[Hugin]

12. Very predictable.

They don't even try to hide it anymore, do they?

[chill_wind]

13. K&R. This should be at the top of the DU Front Page.

The long and the short of it.

[rodeodance]

85. I agree.

[RobertSeattle]

14. I'm waiting for "Republicans to push election date to Tuesday after 9/11.

[kpete]

16. Sabra

xlnt post
K&R

[sabra]

25. Kpete

coming from you, this means alot

[Nestor Mahkno]

17. Democrats need to fight back now!

Democrats need to hammer home the point that this latest terrorist plot illustrates the lie that "we need to fight them over there, so we don't have to fight them here." They must point out the fact that this plot was foiled by international cooperation, good old fashioned police work and intelligence gathering, not by military force. We need to make clear that the Republican quagmire in the Middle East is making us less safe, acting as a recruiting tool for terrorism, emboldening Islamic extremists and marginalizing Arab moderates.

[newyawker99]

41. Hi Nestor Mahkno!!

Welcome to DU!!

[lisainmilo]

73. I completely agree with you

[HeeBGBz]

74. Welcome to DU, Nestor

Good point.

[timontheleft]

75. Exactly

The repugs say this is going to "play big" . . . but it seems to me that this only underscores the fact that the mess in Iraq has not done anything to help "fight terrorism". It didn't stop the terrorists from organizing and planning, and it didn't have ANYTHING to do with nixing the plan before it was carried out.

[democraticinsurgent]

18. "Yeah, boys, that 5 year anniversary's gonna be a good one"

Shall we call this the 12 days of Fizzlemas?

12 Terra Lerts
11 Missing Egyptians
10 Tinfoil Hats
9 Conpiracy Theorists
8 Osama's Missing
7 World Trade Center
6 666
5 Gol-den Years (of 9/11)
4 More Years
3 Anthrax Vials
2 Wounded Doves
And Ernest Partridge in a Terror Tree

(With sincere apologies to absolutely everyone)

[midnight]

28. I always love a good christmas melody.

Nice job! Who is Ernest Partridge?

[democraticinsurgent]

Ernest Partridge of the Crisis Papers

on the front page of DU regularly and one of the most insightful writers around.

and thanks, by the way!

[stubtoe]

102. Ha Ha!

That's great

More please!

[IChing]

19. Honestly have we ever doubted this---"stretching back to December"

I said it doesn't matter on the extent if the plot was true or not.

I said they would use it even if it was a lie, a half truth or a fact.
and they did and will continue for this is how they operate.

Now, where are those 350 metric tons of high explosives lost at Al Qaqaa
That was never used as a talking point or discuss by them.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/10/25/iraq.explosiv... /

kicked and recommended

[Nikki Stone 1]

20. This is their strategy for preventing a Dem takeover in Congress

Which to them IS a Code Red.

[chill_wind]

21. OMG-- it IS now on the Front Page. At the top.

Bless you Sabra. Well found and reported. And--- speaking only for me--
Thank you Adminstrators with all my heart!!

[newspeak]

22. see, everything is just a PR event

it's not about potential danger, or lives lost, it's what one can gain from such events and tragedies. Getting the game yet? All PR, all the time-photo ops (see those dead people or that pile of rubble, what a great photo op opportunity).

[CoffeeCat]

24. Are you hearing all of this DEMOCRATS?

It's obvious what the Republicans are doing--gearing up for the 06 elections.

They're ramping up their campaigns with a few exposed terror plots. They'll intertwine
their campaigning, with these "foiled plots" and the suggestion that Democrats are soft
on terror.

Please...PLEASE...Democratic leaders, and those up for election...we ALL saw the Republicans
do this during the Kerry campaign.

Get out in front of this bullshit NOW!!!!!!!!!

Create your own plan. Give it a catchy, patriotic-sounding name, "Keep America Safe". Give it a slogan: "Preserving our freedoms, preventing terror." Agree on a few bullet points that: 1.) Help Americans feel safer, 2.) Expose Bush's weaknesses in preventing terror (open borders, insecure ports, open chemical plants and nuclear facilities).

COME ON GUYS!!! Get out in front of these shill, lying, Fascist scumbag thugs---and show America that strength, intelligence, common-sense and ingenuity are imperative for keeping America safe.

Some Dem needs to come out and say that we will not surrender our freedoms, our Constitution and our civil rights to Al Queda...if we allow ourselves to be spied upon, arrested for speaking our mind, illegally tapped and oppressed--in the name of terrorism---THEN AL QUEDA AND OSAMA BIN LADEN HAVE ALL READY WON!!! Make the point that we can be safe without tearing up the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Get your butts into a large conference room. Order take out. Don't leave for several days, until the plan is crafted. Emerge from that room with a plan, talk it up like there's no tomorrow and make no apologies.

It's time for our party to get up off of its knees!!!!!!!!!!!

[MAX 1]

26. TONY SNOWman

Just yesterday, the SNOWman declared that this vote against LIEberman would weaken the stance on the front for terror, and that the Lamont ticket would be a welcoming to al-Qaeda.

The SNOWman didn't know how right his prediction was, or did he????

[Rainscents]

29. What SNOWman didn't mentioned, this is shit is all happening

under their watch.

[ktlyon]

65. That is right. Clinton was very close to getting agreements from

all of todays players including Iran. It is this administration that has to take responsibility for the mess of the world today. Democrats need to speak and speak loudly and daily. People need to be reminded of the complete failings of this bunch of criminals.

[TankLV]

94. Oh, he and they knew it all right - for about 2 weeks now.

Just waiting for the "right time" to pull out their new "product"...

That's now FACT.

[MADem]

108. ANDY CARD: But this was the exception that proved the rule!!!

I thought about that "Don't roll out new product in AUGUST" comment when this horseshit went down.

I guess the codicil to Andy's rule is that you CAN roll out new product in August IF over fifty kids have died in Iraq in the past month and a half and you don't want eyes on that horrible prize....

[Deep13]

27. Bottom line: 2006, hijacking is still a problem.

I'm sure the professional liars will blame the NYT and others who talk about Bush's failure. Still the average person knows Dubya and the Rs are in charge and the a British averted another 9/11 for us, because we have done nothing to nuetralize the threat.

[arcane1]

37. if we kill a few more Iraqis, there would be no more hijackings, ever!

or something

[Deep13]

101. It's all because liberals won't let Bush torture POWs.

Also reporting on crime, incompetence and corruption is giving aid and comfort prevents us from acheiving victory, whatever that is.

[Historic NY]

30. The October surprise is coming in Sept..................

Democrats should be playing Bin Ladens video tape from last election where he says he loves * and helped him win election.

They (Democrats)better turn this around instead of sitting on their haunches.....drive it home to every household....Where is Osama & why is he still alive & free.

Osama sent his last tape so Bush would win, well that goes to show you that the serial killer of over 3000 Americans supports *, isn't that perverted.

Lets take the glove off and beat them down to pulps. I don't want a civil campaign I want a pugilistic fight for this country and any Democrat that can't or will not, needs to get off the bus now.

The main thing to push is that America was attacked because Republicans & Republican leadership failed us..........they failed to heed the warning that Osama was determined to strike with commercial aircraft. This Republican adminsitration & Congree allowed Osama to kill 3000 residents of N.Y. and so far over 2500 soldiers. What have they accomplished?

[baldguy]

32. Only traitors try to make us afraid of terrorists.

[Junkdrawer]

33. They've been watching the guys for 8 months, the plot is still...

incomplete, and yet, after busting them, they bring air traffic to crawl and make everyone pitch their makeup, shampoo, toothpaste and whatnot?

Here's what comes to my twisted mind:

(Ghostbusters HQ)
(Peter is standing outside watching Marty hang up the "Ghostbusters" sign.)
Peter: You don't think it's too subtle, Marty? You don't think people are going to drive down and not see the sign?

[Botany]

34. This all they have left .... Terror

Iraq .... failed
Katrina ..... failed
Israel / Lebanon .... failed
energy ...... failed
economy ..... failed
bin Laden killed ..... failed
surplus ....... failed
global warming ...... failed
no child left behind ..... failed

but come this fall .... the repugs will win enough elections to keep
control of the House & Senate ..... the voters felt safer w/ bush fighting
terrorsts

[petgoat]

61. Are you sure that's failure?

Iraq .... Public treasury looted, war powers and torture justified,
Iraqi oil taken off the market to reduce supply and raise prices

Katrina ..... Destruction of Port of New Orleans benefits....
Port of Houston!

Israel / Lebanon .... Steps toward fulfillment of Biblical prophesies
energizes fundamentalist base

energy ...... High prices for energy buddies

economy ..... Stock market has done nicely since June of 2003...
S&P from 800 to 1250.

bin Laden killed ..... Nobody cares, besides, he can pop up and
yell "boo!" when it's time to vote. Even if it doesn't really work,
it gives pundits something to say when the vote counts come up
all crooked: "Wow, Osama sure must have scared those security soccer
moms! Who can believe these stunning Republican upset victories!"

surplus ....... looted for his cronies. Bankrupting the federal
government is a neocon goal. It's the "starve the beast" theory.

global warming ...... Delayed action to provide transition time
for oil industry to adjust to necessary lowered consumption

no child left behind ..... Schools ratings provide a justification
for declaring oublic schools hopeless, instituting the voucher system.
Bad public schools reduce job world competition for Republicans'
kids in private schools

Looks to me like everything Bush has "failed" at benefits him or
his cronies or his program.

He's incompetent like a fox.

[blogslut]

35. Remember that phrase

"Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big..."

Bookmark the article. Repeat this to everyone you can. We'll see who is appealing as that plays out on the netroots > blogs > That chick on The Situation Room > Timmy > Daily Show!

[cyclezealot]

36. THis has no connection to Iraq

are Americans that dumb.

[jgmiller]

56. In a word YES

Look no further than the Toby Keith song after 9/11. That song was huge on the country charts and it blatently connected Iraq and 9/11 and everyone bought it. Face it no matter what we do or say at least 30%-40% of the people in America will always believe everything the president says. Afterall why would he lie?

Having said all of that I'm not one of the people on here that think this latest plot was made up by Bush an Blair. Lets face it there are terrorists out there and they want to kill non-muslims. Unfortunately everytime they do things like this they help Bush.

[cyclezealot]

98. If we are chickens and don't fight back

. Yes, we have a lousy media to swim up stream against.That is a huge handicap. But, we are cowardly and don't at least try to get out of message of what a decoy the Iraq war is and how the Rerpugs use fear mongering, then we have not fought a needed fight. I fear we cower to these thugs and bullies.
I'd like to have a one on one with the Repug national chairman. calling LaMont voters names. We should be furious and ready for a fight. We are all fearful of terrorism. Just some of us have the correct approach; while Bush's approach only inflames the world. Are we going to let them get away with it.

[Bluestar]

38. Five Years after 9/11

We should be celebrating the arrest and conviction of all major Al Queda leaders, not still having to be afraid to live our lives. We could be doing this if a Democrat was president instead of a smirking chimp who couldn't care less about our safety. John Kerry said it today--we have drained our treasury over a needless war and we are still not safe. That's the message to anyone who still supports this sham of an administration.

[mmonk]

39. Dems need to hold a press conference

and congratulate the Brits for good work. In that, they can mention about the surveillance since December. Then they can mention what the repukes said about it playing well and say that they would not use terrorism for politics.

[Chiyo-chichi]

58. Didn't Condi say within the last week...

(speaking of Hezbollah) "You can't have one foot in terror and one foot in politics."

I believe she did. Know thyself, Dr. Rice.

[samsingh]

42. another glimpse into who these people truly are and how revolting

[emmadoggy]

43. This stuff makes me want to scream.

From the article...

"a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation," the president said on a day trip to Wisconsin.

Yes, shrub, WE love our freedom, so why do you give the terrorists what they want and systematically take those freedoms away?? I'd say there are plenty of fascists here in the good 'ol USA trying to destroy those of us who love freedom. And who needs terrorists to "hurt our nation" when you, Bushie, are doing such a fine job of it yourself?? And do they really hate us because we love freedeom? Or is it because of what we DO?? Hmm?

"We've taken a lot of measures to protect the American people. But obviously we still aren't completely safe."

Gee, could that be because you are a TOTAL FAILURE?? Could it be because you talk a big game, but do little to nothing to follow through with action?? Could it be that the action you do take is ineffective and wrong?? Could it be deliberate on your part?? Could it be because your policies and actions in the rest of the world have only served to fuel the fire of terrorism EVEN MORE and have exponentially increased our risk?? Is it possible to EVER be COMPLETELY SAFE?? If you and Republicans are the ones who are so hot-damn fantastically strong on fighting terrorism and protecting Amurica, why did 9/11 happen on your watch?? Why do these threats keep happening?? Hmmm?? HMMMMM????

Maybe it's time to see how someone else can do the job.

The people who fall for this sort of crap just boggle my mind. It's such a back-ass contradiction. They use the terror threat as such a prop to boost their image of how tough they are, yet the very fact that it is such a threat only shows their failures.
I HATE this crap.

[TheGreatUnwashed]

48. Dear overlord...

You're right it worked, you win. I will ignore the fact your policies have increased the number extremists. Forgotten is the fact that you have destabilized the middle east and repeatedly promoted war over peace. You're cowboy diplomacy is working. We are now fighting the terrorist on our soil not thiers... wait a minute?

[YDogg]

46. If clowns like these unnamed fools are so brave, go on the record.

[iamahaingttta]

47. And people wonder why I'm mad as hell!?!?

Neo-Con RepubliCON Corporate America is trying to kill as many people off as they can. They want the planet for themselves, and they're not going to stop just to be nice. They are killers and thieves and their tactics are clear. There is clearly a need for a revolution of thought and action to remove these scumbags once and for all, and to make sure that they and their ilk are never in this position again. It's up to us and you can start by cutting up your credit cards and sending them back, not paying off ANY debt or taxes that you owe them and for gods' sakes, stop burning fossil fuels!!!

It ain't gonna be easy...

[Straight Shooter]

49. This "foiled plot" proves exactly how incompetent they were pre-9/11

If the bush administration had paid attention and devoted half the time and resources to following up on the infamous August 6 PDB as has been paid to this "foiled plot," then the catastrophe of September 11, 2001 would never have occurred, or it certainly would have been greatly, greatly reduced.

I'm madder than ever at their criminal negligence.

[Felinity]

53. AMEN TO THAT-Do not miss comment #49

Let's drive this point home. A major terrorist attack is not a sign of their strength, it is a sign of the current administration failure.

Imagine what shape we would be in if our reaction to 9/11 had been to clean up our idiotic foreign policy and become a better nation, and a better people.

They don't hate us for our freedom, THEY HATE US FOR OUR GREED AND HYPOCRISY. (not to mention our tolerance for raping, killing, and pillaging citizens of nations half a world away.

[Betty]

50. It's called police work,

it's the reason the plot was caught in time. Explain how us being in Iraq had anything to do with these people being caught. It will "play big" to anyone who's a fucktard, I suppose.

[glitch]

88. Their base IS all fucktard They're afraid their base will stay home this

election, they have to scare them to the polls, or at least make it appear they have scared them to the polls (rigged vote count can take it from there).

[Change has come]

52. Here are a few responses...

*A snippet from Senator Kerry*

John Kerry released the following statement on the thwarted terror plot:

“We are all incredibly grateful and fortunate that British authorities were able to prevent these attacks before more innocent people could be killed by these ruthless murderers.

“This is a stark reminder that the war on terrorism is global, and extends far beyond Iraq to our very shores. Terrorism is the biggest threat to Americans’ security, and this event exposes the misleading myth that we are fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight them here. In fact, the war in Iraq has become a dangerous distraction, and a profound drain on our financial and military resources.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...


*A snippet from Chairman Dean*

"Today's events are a troubling reminder that we are living in dangerous and trying times. These are times that call for real leadership. Not posturing, or name calling.

"As Americans we must be unwavering in our commitment to fighting and winning the war on terror. We need a new direction in our national defense policies that's tough and smart. That means tracking down terrorists and providing our troops and agencies with the tools they need to stop future attacks, implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations to close the gaps in our security, securing our ports and borders, chemical and nuclear power plants and properly equipping our first responders and our national guard.

"It also means we have to be honest about the failures of our current foreign policies, which have let Iraq slip into civil war, enabled Iran to increase its nuclear capabilities, failed to address the growing threat posed by North Korea, and Afghanistan has seen a resurgence of the Taliban. Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda's mastermind, is still on the loose, and the Middle East is deep in crisis.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Our Boys are on the same page today!

[trapper914]

54. Dems can shape the message

We're obviously no safer, and polls show Americans now feel the Dems would do a better job of fighting terror. Use it.

[adarling]

55. most everyone i know

is already over it, they aren't scared just annoyed. They are like it was all the over in England and never made it.

[yorkiemommie1]

86. same reaction w/ my friends

n/t

[ikojo]

57. I've forwarded the yahoo news article to my friends and

lists. I hope the Democrats don't roll over in the name of some warped sense of "patriotism." Why is it that these "terror plots" are uncovered just in time for US elections? Could it be that Al Queda knows the Republicans (as well as those Democrats who support the war and occupation of Iraq) love perpetual war?

I was totally skeptical of this when I first heard of it this morning. I knew there was more information.

Of course it keeps people in the US scared and paranoid.

[DeadManInc]

59. I thought this was a sham first time I heard about it.

Shrubs ratings are in the toilet, time to raise the terra alert again. We need to ram this up their asses.

[The Straight Story]

60. Unamed source? And I should believe it why? And who is Oliver Knox?

Because I want to, or I think it is accurate anyway?

With faked news, photos, etc last few years (and then the whole TO thing) I ain't biting.

More on Oliver Knox:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Olivier+Knox&btnG=...

[erpowers]

62. Is This Real?

Does anyone think this supposed plot is real? I am not sure this is real. It is competely possible this is just a photo op by Bush in order to boost the chances of Republicans winning in November. The last few supposed terror plots turned out to either be in the beginning stages (people had not even bought the stuff needed for the attacks) or they were totally implausible (flying planes after shoe bombs had gone off which would have blown off their feet). So whenever I hear that another terror plot has been stopped I wonder if the news is just to scare people.

[Swede Atlanta]

64. Think you are wrong on this one

While it might be convenient, I think fortune has smiled on the fascists in control of this country. While I think Tony Blair might be in Bush's pocket, the British local police and intelligence agencies tend to be less centralized and I believe they had a true plot. That being said,I think KKKarl and company will attempt to milk this as much as they can for political gain. It is clear Republikkkans think that terrorism is a wonderful thing because they believe their political fortune lies there. I think we will see the threat level be at increased levels until just after the elections. I also expect some of those pop-up domestic threats to emanate from Chertoff's lips weekly between now and the elections. Do we all remember the summer before the 2004 presidential election? It's clear Republicans care nothing for this country or people but only about power and money.

[stray cat]

63. Thank goodness for the Brits!

I wish the current administration was competent enough to thwart terrorism

[Individualist]

66. kick

[FighttheFuture]

67. Buzzflash has a good editorial questioning all of this...

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/089

[Erika]

68. W & the GOP have done nothing, zilch, to make us safer

He's had the opposite effect.

[Peanutcat]

69. It it paranoia--

--If it's true?

[DAMANgoldberg]

79. Three Words

Trust, But Verify!

[progressivebydesign]

70. If the White House just found out, then why did Bush mention Islam??

I thought this was all a big shock to everyone? I thought the British govt said that they weren't sure who this group was? Then suddenly they say they've been watching them for months... Someone's lying.

[bliss_eternal]

72. He really should fire his writer...

...I'm so over statements like this.

Quote from article:

"a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation," the president said on a day trip to Wisconsin.

Blah, blah,...freedom, blah, blah,...fascist. Apparently Georgie has got stuck in the f's in the dictionary.

[timontheleft]

77. but "they hate democracy"

that's his answer to everything . . . I'm with you; I'm sick of hearing it too.

[bliss_eternal]

81. Yeah, you'd think they would offer some new catch phrases...

...I guess when you are that stupid, one must keep things simple.

Thanks for your response!

[deminks]

76. Thank you for posting this, Sabra!

I rest my case.

[freedomfries]

78. good discussion!

keep it up!

[cascadiance]

80. Someone should ask how FISA would "get in the way"...

... of this sort of investigation. Bush has been trying to rationalize his reasons for doing doing wiretaps without warrants or FISA approvals because they "needed" to.

Well, if they're going to use this case to justify their lack of accountability in their methods, then let's see them explain how in this case they needed to work around FISA (since it sounds like they're going to let it out all out into the open for their gain in this case and we won't have to worry about some other "whistleblower" being called a traitor for doing so).

What specific issues would have made FISA warrants mess up this investigation. They NEED to explain this to us. If they can't, then we should all the more point out how them throwing this out to the public does NOTHING to explain their warrantless wiretaps!

[rodeodance]

84. (posted earlier on DU): US Democrats say plot shows Iraq war a diversion

With The Election 3 Months Away, Now Is The Time To Tell George ...




Today's Events Should Remind All The Voters That Bush Has Forgotten About Fighting The War On Terror!



Thu Aug-10-06 04:44 PM
Original message
US Democrats say plot shows Iraq war a diversion

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10138972.htm

US Democrats say plot shows Iraq war a diversion

WASHINGTON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Prominent Democrats said on Thursday a foiled plot in Britain to blow up U.S.-bound planes showed the Bush administration's pursuit of war in Iraq had diverted resources from the bigger threat of terrorism and made the danger worse.

...

"Five years after 9-11, it is clear that our misguided policies are making America more hated in the world and making the war on terrorism harder to win," Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts said.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said Bush and Congress needed to change course in Iraq and ensure Americans are protected around the world.

"The Iraq war has diverted our focus and more than $300 billion in resources from the war on terrorism and has created a rallying cry for international terrorists," Reid said.

[conflictgirl]

95. Yes!!! I wanted to draw attention to your post

That is EXACTLY how the Democrats should be running right now! No more of this wimpy Lieberman kind of butt-kissing. We need the Democrats to be calling out Bushco on their bullshit, just like that.

Maybe this is a small sign that the tide is turning?

[Miss Chybil]

89. Where are the leaders to calm the people, instead of the posers

trying to scare the f*ck out of us! Who are the real terrorists?

[spanone]

91. and they call us cynical.

[eviltwin2525]

92. Screw "confidentiality"

You're being played, dude. People this cynical and assinine need to be called out. By name. Name names or bury it.

[DemInMI]

97. How sickening......

....that the Repugs are looking to use this to try to prop up Shrub and his ilk ...totally disgusting. Not surprising, of course, but still pretty damn disgusting.

I agree with one of the other posts on here.....if another attack does get through to these shores, it's a HUGE sign of failure by this administration, not a prop up for them. I just hope and pray that it doesn't take something like that to happen for the public to wake up and demand a change.



First post, BTW.....love this site!!

[blogslut]

99. Welcome to DU

And here's a kick to make this an even 100 replies.

[robbedvoter]

100. But, the wolf can't be here..and the Dubai has to have our ports...and OBL

is not even on the wanted lists anymore...
All this because we toppled Saddam's statue. non? Freedom and Liberty are marching on - why even think of terra anymore? Amm those responsible for 911 have been brought to justice. Right? Right?
Oops! I was thinking of the first WTC bombing and Clinton. Damn you Clinton!

[QuettaKid]

103. K&R. nt.

.

[StateSecrets]

105. They are after our Democracy/Freedom!Aha!

Yeah Right; Bush is doing a good job on that; doesn't need any help from the terrorists!

[Strawman]

106. Proves that we're fighing them there so we don't have to fight them here