Article

2004-02-05 Home Front

Ridge says holiday security alert averted terrorist attack

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Posted by Dan Darling 2004-02-05 12:09:09 AM|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is something that has bugged me about the whole "Bush Lied" meme. Intelligence is by its very nature, an iffy art. At some point one has to weigh the potential consequences of doing nothing, to the potential consequences of reacting to a threat that does not really exist.

If you do nothing and you are wrong, people die. If you do something and you are wrong, well, that can be bad for some, and the question is whether it is better for the government and its people, than the other guys.

Ridge is not quite right. Gathering and analyzing intel is not the hardest job. Its making decisions based on what those spies and analysis come up with.

Posted by Ben 2004-2-5 5:40:23 AM|| 2004-2-5 5:40:23 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 There was enough going on around Christmas that I suspect Ridge is correct in his assertion that we probably thwarted an attack. And, I appreciate his candor regarding mistakes that were made in the process. However, speculation like this is unhelpful because assertions without hard evidence will be used to discredit the entire WOT by those who do not believe it should be fought.

Posted by JAB 2004-2-5 7:16:54 AM|| 2004-2-5 7:16:54 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Our intel response would be even better if not for the PC rules on profiling. Without these rules we would have allowed the airplanes to fly and taken the arabs off the plane. But of course they would have sued so instead we had to block the whole plane. Thank you Norm Mineta and company.

Posted by mhw 2004-2-5 8:15:31 AM|| 2004-2-5 8:15:31 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 I'm just afraid that we're about to experience another witch hunt with this. Not too long ago we (Army) were actually forbidden to say the word "collect" in regards to intelligence down range. I can't imagine mid-level managers getting more timid. If we don't get our act together soon, we better get used to the idea of the Islamic Caliphate of Texas.

Posted by floatinginspace 2004-2-5 9:08:18 AM|| 2004-2-5 9:08:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 This is the hardest part about anti-terror activities. Sucess means nothing happens. How many sucesses can we have before citizens no longer pay attention? I'm not calling for Booms mind you. Just pointing out the paradox of these operations. You're damned if something happens, or damned that there "appears to be no threat" since nothing has happened in a while.

Posted by whitecollar redneck 2004-2-5 9:35:43 AM|| 2004-2-5 9:35:43 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 An LLSO, floating?

Posted by whitecollar redneck 2004-2-5 9:43:00 AM|| 2004-2-5 9:43:00 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 yep, but with a different name

Posted by floatinginspace 2004-2-5 9:46:47 AM|| 2004-2-5 9:46:47 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 I assume I have dated myself:)

Posted by whitecollar redneck 2004-2-5 10:30:08 AM|| 2004-2-5 10:30:08 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 Maybe Ridge should think about plastering "Success means nothing happens" posters in every American airport...

Posted by Fred 2004-2-5 10:34:04 AM|| 2004-2-5 10:34:04 AM|| Front Page Top

#10 he called Air France officials to insist they take some security precautions without informing French officials.

Hmmm..does that read that he insisted the airlines not inform French officials about their new security precautions?? snicker..wouldn't surprise me a bit if it did.

Posted by B 2004-2-5 10:48:28 AM|| 2004-2-5 10:48:28 AM|| Front Page Top

#11 Fred - excellent idea. This is a tried-and-true means of conveying both obvious (to those paying attention - a wake-up to the rest) and subtle truth. Note to Ridge: Get on it, bubba!

Posted by .com 2004-2-5 12:41:14 PM|| 2004-2-5 12:41:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 Yawl think about the pastels all you want... but I've been snaping my fingers.... snapin, snapin, snapin, see... works man... yeah.....

Posted by Pincem Trio 2004-2-5 1:17:32 PM|| 2004-2-5 1:17:32 PM|| Front Page Top

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