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| FBI director says al-Qaeda cell could be active in East Tennessee |
| 2004-02-13 |
| During a visit to Knoxville on Thursday, the nation’s FBI director says terrorists could be operating here in East Tennessee. FBI Director Robert Mueller III stresses that there is no more of a threat or danger in our area than in the rest of the country. But what about reports of terrorist activity in East Tennessee? He says al Qaeda could very well be here. Mueller says he came to Knoxville to thank the local FBI and law enforcement for their strong work, but he also made the trip to answer local security questions. One of those comes from a report about al Qaeda cells possibly operating in East Tennessee. WVLT VOLUNTEER TV News first uncovered that possibility three weeks ago after we learned that a homeland security official told authorities that terrorists are in the area. "You may have some in the area covered by East Tennessee, but I can tell you and them that we are effective in identifying them, knowing their activities and prosecuting them," Mueller says. He says it not necessarily terrorist camps that the FBI is looking for; instead, agents are tracking those trying to recruit and finance terrorists. He acknowledges that such activities could exist at many well-regarded schools like the University of Tennessee. "As with any area where you have a diverse population, you may have persons who feel ill of the U.S., and what we look for are persons who might be financing or recruiting," Mueller says. Isn’t UT where Glenn Reynolds teaches at? |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #12 Remote Man... you're right NMM is not that familiar with the US outside of his hometown, 3 large cities (he visits) and Raleigh (which he hates). |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-2-13 5:05:09 PM |
| #11 NMM, I suppose you are too dense to know that there is a major Dept. of Energy facility in Eastern TN as well as 2 or 3 civilian nuclear power plants. It is a logical place for enemies to locate themselves. |
| Posted by: remote man 2004-2-13 12:48:07 PM |
| #10 NMM forgets (or more likely, never bothered to learn) that there was a senior al'Qaeda operative arrested in Peoria. Hell, anyone remember where Steve Emerson first ran into jihadis in the US? Oklahoma City. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2004-2-13 9:44:57 AM |
| #9 If they're here in E T at all, they are probably either students or professors at U T. |
| Posted by: N Guard 2004-2-13 8:42:46 AM |
| #8 hey NMM -- is it even conceivable to you that perhaps the FBI is telling the truth and there really is a group there? I know, I know, you think that there's some sort of Republican conspiracy at play here, and facts won't dissuade you from your belief. By the way, as NYC's mayor just pointed out, the Homeland Security budget is allocated based on the degree of threat and vulnerability. So, I know it's disappointing for you to read, but in fact NYC gets appreciably more than East Tennessee. And as a Manhattanite, I'm very glad it's that way. |
| Posted by: PlanetDan 2004-2-13 8:24:04 AM |
| #7 I'm a redneck and I ain't skeered! I do wonder how much recruitment can go on at UT. What's the Arab pop there? .01% maybe. Plus, Arabs would stick out like a sore thumb, unless they got some way to recruit the local blacks or disenfranchised white youth's like that moron Anderson from WA. I don't forsee too many young blacks going that way w/all the strong Baptist background in the region unless they're in the penal system. |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2004-2-13 8:20:04 AM |
| #6 Still miss the midwest NMM? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-2-13 8:16:16 AM |
| #5 Ah,Mikey.I know it is a hard concept for a wennie like you to except.But try a page from the the"Rednecks"playbook,buy a nice Ruger and learn to defend yourself. |
| Posted by: Raptor 2004-2-13 8:05:54 AM |
| #4 Al Qaeda's first decree in the Islamic Republic of East Tennessee will be that all alcohol is prohibited. |
| Posted by: Mike Sylwester 2004-2-13 7:43:45 AM |
| #3 NMM - bad couple of years for a cretin like you huh? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-2-13 6:52:59 AM |
| #2 Yes Dan, the instapundit teaches law at UT. Here's more info on Glenn. |
| Posted by: GK 2004-2-13 5:48:33 AM |
| #1 BOO! Let's scare the rednecks some and make sure they vote Republican--God knows East Tennessee is the linchpin of the American economy! But I bet they get just as much $$ for "Homeland Security" as those minor cities like NY, Boston and Chicago! |
| Posted by: NotMike Moore 2004-2-13 1:28:36 AM |