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| U.S. raises airline threat level to Red | |
| 2006-08-10 | |
| WASHINGTON — The U.S. government issued its highest terrorism alert ever for commercial flights from Britain to the United States early Thursday after a terror plot was disrupted in London, with a specific concern for tourist-filled flights to major U.S. cities. Terrorists had targeted United, American and Continental airlines, two U.S. counterterrorism officials said. "The plot was to board international flights, potentially headed to the U.S., with bombs fashioned in a way that they would be in carry-ons, and blow them up in midair," one intelligence official said. This official said the terrorists had hoped to target flights to major airports in New York, Washington and California, all major summer tourist destinations. In addition to the highest alert for flights from Britain, the alert for all flights coming or going from the United States was also raised slightly, to orange. The government banned beverages, hair gels and lotions from flights, explaining only that liquids emerged as an explosive risk from the investigation in Britain. Hastily printed signs were posted at major airports warning passengers in red capital letters, "No liquid or gels permitted beyond security." Multiple flights to multiple American cities were put on alert. Specifically, these airlines included United Airlines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc., the two counterterrorism officials said. American and United flights were turned into terrorist weapons on Sept. 11, 2001, when they were hijacked and crashed. It is the first time the red alert level in the Homeland Security warning system has been invoked, although there have been brief periods in the past when the orange level was applied. Homeland Security defines the red alert as designating a "severe risk of terrorist attacks." One intelligence official said the first-ever red alert signaled extreme concern within the government. "We are concerned enough to put the highest wall up we can," this official said. Officials said the government has been aware of the nature of the threat for several days, and President Bush was fully briefed. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff issued a statement overnight. "We believe that these arrests (in London) have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted," Chertoff said in announcing that the threat level for flights from Britain to the United States has been raised to the highest "severe or red" level. A statement issued by Chertoff said "currently, there is no indication ... of plotting within the United States." A U.S. law enforcement official said there have been no arrests in the United States connected to the plot. A senior U.S. counterterrorism official said authorities believe dozens of people were involved or connected to the overseas plot that was unraveled Wednesday evening. The plan "had a footprint to al-Qaida back to it," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. It was not believed to be connected to the Egyptian students who disappeared in the United States more than a week ago before reaching a college they were supposed to attend in Montana. Three of the 11 have since been found and the FBI has said neither they nor the still-missing eight are believed to be a threat. The plan involved airline passengers hiding masked explosives in carry-on luggage, the official said. "They were not yet sitting on an airplane," but were very close to traveling, the official said, calling the plot "the real deal." U.S. intelligence has been working closely with the British on the investigation, which has been ongoing for months, the second official said. The metal detector and X-ray machines at airport security checkpoints cannot detect explosives. At many, but not all airport checkpoints, the TSA has deployed walkthrough "sniffer" or "puffer" machines that can detect explosives residue. As part of the foiled Bojinka Plot to blow up 12 Western airliners simultaneously over the Pacific Ocean in the mid-1990s, terrorist mastermind Ramzi Youssef planned to put together an improvised bomb using liquid in a contact lens solution container.
At U.S. Northern Command, the military headquarters established in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to improve coordination of the defense of U.S. territory, spokesman Sean Kelly said it would be inappropriate to discuss military operations. | |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #8 Time to take another peek at Frank Js excellent interpretation of the warning system. Everyone has heard of the Homeland Security Advisory System by now and its rainbow of colors, but most are confused of exactly what it means to them about how they should act and live when it is at its different levels of alert. That's why I've decided to create this guide make things clearer to the people. First, here is what the alert levels mean in general: *Green (Low): All evil had been destroyed. The world is now a peaceful utopia. *Blue (Guarded): There's still the occasional pickpocket, so show a little caution. *Yellow (Elevated): Terror lurks in the shadows; be wary. *Orange (High): The terrorists are out there and they are coming for YOU! *Red (Severe): The world is exploding around you. The only law is your own gun. To be more specific, here is how you should you act in different situations based on the alert levels. How should I store my firearms? *Green: Throw them in the fire. There is no more need for weapons. *Blue: Wrap them in some rags and store them in the attic somewhere in case you need them one day. *Yellow: Keep both your guns and ammo readily accessible. *Orange: Load your gun and carry it on you at all times, even around the house. *Red: The gun should be in your hand, pointed in front of you with your finger resting on the trigger. I see a stranger outside. *Green: Maybe he could give your kids a ride to school. *Blue: He might be lost; ask him what he's doing here. *Yellow: Stay in your house and avoid him. Strangers bad. *Orange: Run outside and pistol-whip him while questioning his involvement with terrorism. *Red: Kill him; no questions asked. I hear a noise at night. *Green: That's just the house settling; go back to sleep. *Blue: Probably nothing, but you better check it out. *Yellow: Grab your gun and call 911. *Orange: No time for police; run through your house shooting anything that moves. *Red: Initiate the house's auto-destruct sequence; leap out window. You see a hippy. *Green: Punch him. *Blue: Kick him. *Yellow: Punch him then kick him. *Orange: Punch him then kick him and then stomp on him. *Red: Strangle him. You receive a strange envelope in the mail with no return address. *Green: Rip it open; who knows what fun lies inside! *Blue: Open it carefully just in case. *Yellow: Don't touch it and call the police. *Orange: Can't wait for the authorities; toss it out the window and then unload a gun into it. *Red: For the love of God, immediately flee from the envelope. Hunt down and kill the mailman. You see some movement in a nearby tree. *Green: It's probably a squirrel. Hello squirrel. *Blue: Better check out what it is to be on the safe side. *Yellow: Might be the escaped monkey from the zoo. Better contact the authorities. *Orange: It's a ninja! Fire indiscriminately into the treetops. *Red: Set fire to the tree and all trees around it. No safe haven for ninjas! You see a strange van parked nearby. *Green: It must be an ice cream truck. Let's get ice cream. *Blue: Check to make sure it's legally parked. *Yellow: Better call the FBI to check this one out. *Orange: Politely knock on the van door. Kill everyone inside. *Red: Shoot the van with a rocket propelled grenade. Kill anyone who protests; they're terrorists too. You realize the person you are talking to is a Communist. *Green: Kill him. *Blue: Kill him. *Yellow: Kill him. *Orange: Kill him. *Red: Kill him and burn his body. You see a stray dog. *Green: Go pet the cute little puppy. *Blue: Better check if he has a dog tag so you can get him back to his owner. *Yellow: Call animal control. *Orange: It's some sort of terrorist trick. Shoot the dog with a sniper rifle. *Red: Destroy the dog with a thermite charge and then kill all witnesses. I hope that cleared things up on the alert levels. Remember, terrorism can only be stopped by your vigilance and your actions. This Frank J could likely do purty good in-lines. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-08-10 16:47 |
| #7 F*cking morons. The terrorists succeed when ignorant beaurocrats restrict our liberties further and further. |
| Posted by: mcsegeek1 2006-08-10 16:46 |
| #6 You know, the days of trans-Atlantic steamers aren't looking so bad now. |
| Posted by: Dar 2006-08-10 16:22 |
| #5 Romney's trying to look "presidential". |
| Posted by: tu3031 2006-08-10 12:11 |
| #4 Romney said the Guard would begin arriving at the airport immediately to help with patrols, and then, after training, to help with surveillance and checkpoint assignments -- particularly secondary screenings at departure gates to ensure passengers did not buy any liquids such as coffee or shampoo after a checkpoint and then attempt to bring them on aircraft. Looks like Starbucks will be out of business at Logan...what a bunch of Maroons! "Intellegent official" indeed. |
| Posted by: Inspector Clueso 2006-08-10 12:08 |
| #3 Carry-ons are no longer permitted on domestic or overseas flights, but small children weighing less that 35lbs are now permitted in the overheads. Thank you for flying Delta Airlines. |
| Posted by: Delta Airlines 2006-08-10 11:05 |
| #2 Damn them all anyhow. I collected airline liquor bottles. So much for bringing those on my carry-on to prevent breakage. |
| Posted by: IG-88 2006-08-10 10:09 |
| #1 I wonder how long it will take for the New York Times to step up with an article that will aid the terrorists in their future efforts. |
| Posted by: Glolunter Thack1099 2006-08-10 09:19 |