Less Than Meets the Eye? U.S. Govt. Sting Operation Criticized as Set Up

[underpants]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/World/missile030813_sting.html

Administration officials are leaving out key facts and exaggerating the significance of the alleged plot to smuggle a shoulder-launched missile into the United States, law enforcement officials told ABCNEWS. They say there's a lot less than meets the eye.

U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie called Lakhani an ally of terrorists who want to kill Americans.

"He, on many occasions, in recorded conversations, referred to Americans as 'bastards' Osama bin Laden as a hero," said Christie.

But what he did not say was just how much of the alleged missile plot was a government setup from start to finish.

For example, Lakhani had no contacts in Russia to buy the missiles before the sting and had no known criminal record for arms dealing, officials told ABCNEWS.

"One would have to ask yourself, would this have occurred at all without the government?" said Gerald Lefcourt, a criminal defense attorney.

"I would have hoped the United States is thwarting real terrorism and not something manufactured because here all they're doing is stopping something they created," said Lefcourt.

[roberthall10]

1. No Actual Terrorists Involved

It is good that we have these sting operations rooting out arms dealers like the above. But in fact, no terrorist organizations were involved here, there was no "intended target" as the news organizations suggest. Whether or not the arrested man made derisory comments about the US is irrelevant.

[underpants]

8. There is a plus to this-the cooperation amongst the nations

but still there are actual fish out there (bigger too).

I saw no mention of this on the morning news shows.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Aren't we great? We broke up a plot WE STARTED!!!!!

Um, guys, far be it from me to tell you how to do your jobs but, how's about looking for REAL terrorists who ARE NOT playing your little game. You got a greedy arms dealer off the streets. Great. But, in reality, what have you done?

[underpants]

6. Terrorist? He worked in the garment industry and had financial troubles

In London today, Lakhani's neighbors described him as a quiet man who worked in the garment industry and had faced serious financial problems.

[lumpy]

3. Bushco has lost all credibility

Nothing would be surprising. Even plotting and carrying out a 'set-up'.

[TioDiego]

5. Well, you see

if you can't catch the real arms dealers, create you own, and catch him. It is like stocking trout in the bathtub.
God, I'm sick of the United States being made to look so stupid. Dang it!

[underpants]

7. Sort of like creating your own intelligence agency

You don't get the answers you want to decisions you've already made? Fine then just create your own agency of yesmen (OSP).

Stocking trout-very funny
Welcome to DU :hi:

[QuietStorm]

9. There is more than meets the eye here

but I can not put my finger on it yet. It was a government setup but their PR called it a sting (entrapment). The guy has no link to terrorist groups. Why does it feel to me more like a cover for something? Arms movement perhaps (did similar "stings" occur during Iran contra?). They came up with bupkis. All the buzz words what has got me going India, UK, etc. What would it be a cover for?

[SpiralHawk]

4. Move along now. Nothing to see here.

I mean, did anybody get a blow job in this incident? Hell no. So shut up and move along.

Please re-focus your attention on Kobe Bryant et. al., and remember:

Your appointed pResident is vacationing his keester off for America and will maintain his torrid pace of recreating prudently for the next month, so everything is just hunky dory.

[skypilot]

10. I'm actually surprised...

...that the media is already pointing out that this was really just a setup by the U.S. government. Last night on "Nightline" the show was all about this arrest (and how this Lahkani guy is really small potatoes with no link to terrorists) and the problem of all the arms that are out there that flowed out of the former Soviet Union and are now on the black market. Then this morning I read the above article. Usually, the media will wait a month or two to pull back the curtain and reveal the sham. By then the original "breaking news" story of the arrest has already sunk in and has had its impact on the gullible ones who are impressed with phrases like, "We're on the hunt". I'm glad that this arrest is being scrutinized right from the start and not two months from now when we'll be preoccupied with other outrages.

[NNN0LHI]

11. Strange that the media didn't find anything wrong with the Padilla arrest?

It has been over a year now and we haven't heard nothing about that one. Wonder why the media is so defensive about this arrest? Kind of makes one wonder why some stories are more important to disprove right away than some others. Move along now. Nothing to see here. Don

[QuietStorm]

12. My guess

it is a COVER for something else. That was my gut take upon first reading the first story I saw here on it yesterday. So they do want us to move along. Slight of hand. Something else will come along and it will be back to alternative press outlets on the story.

[underpants]

13. ABC also reported on the "credible threat"

they added that usually the phrase "undetermined target" follows that but that wasn't said this time. This referred to the Saudi uncovering the British Airways plot (that whole thing about the Saudis sudenly stepping up to the plate reaked to high heaven too) As one expert said on WNT "too ittle too late".

[QuietStorm]

16. one of the first questions that came to mind

did this guy have any connections with carlyle? I haven't googled it yet. could be but than again there is so much spin on this story... the guy could be a lackey.

[sinkingfeeling]

14. Is it just for publicity?

Saw a news clip this morning with W saying 'see, you're safer now than you were'. Or something like that, "We're doing the job." Sorry, but I wasn't paying much attention as I dressed for work, and I just automatically try not to hear anything W says. (Have to watch my blood pressure).

[underpants]

15. He said that at the "ranch" yesterday

~"you (cirport security)are safer than you were on September 11" Something like that.

That I guess is partially true as security measures have been upgraded/changed but why did his counter terrorism chief quit and joiin Kerry's campaign? He said that W is making us LESS safe.