Chertoff bases warning of terror risk on 'gut feeling' Homeland chief says he's offering an assessment, not a prediction By E.A. TORRIERO McClatchy-Tribune TOOLS Email Get section feed Print Subscribe NOW Comments Recommend (1) CHICAGO — Fearing complacency among the American people over possible terror threats, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in Chicago on Tuesday that the nation faces a heightened chance of an attack this summer. "I believe we are entering a period this summer of increased risk," Chertoff told the Chicago Tribune's editorial board in an unusually blunt and frank assessment of America's terror threat level. "Summertime seems to be appealing to them," he said of al-Qaida. "We do worry that they are rebuilding their activities." Still, Chertoff said there are not enough indications of an imminent plot to raise the current threat levels nationwide. And he indicated his remarks were based on "a gut feeling" formed by past seasonal patterns of terrorist attacks, recent al-Qaida statements, and intelligence he did not disclose. There is an assessment "not of a specific threat, but of increased vulnerability," he added. There have been reports already that suggest intelligence warnings at a similar level to the summer before Sept. 11, 2001 and that al-Qaida may be mobilizing. In recent days, ABC news reported that a secret law enforcement report prepared for homeland security warns that al-Qaida is preparing a "spectacular" summer attack. On Tuesday, ABC News also reported that "new intelligence suggests a small al-Qaida cell is on its way to the United States, or may already be here." "We could easily be attacked," Chertoff added. "The intent to attack us remains as strong as it was on Sept. 10, 2001." The dire warnings and Chertoff's comments come as the Bush administration faces political and business opposition over its immigration and border policies that have security implications. With stiff blowback on those issues, the administration has been unsuccessful in efforts to enact broader security measures — ones opponents fear are too costly, unnecessary and infringe on people's rights. Chertoff said, too, that the recent failure of Congress to pass an immigration bill has negative repercussions for homeland security and will lead to continued federal crackdowns on illegal immigrants. Resistance has built as well, he said, from business and travel interests blocking his proposals to tighten border security, especially with Canada. forgot link
at jfk yesterday there were guardsmen in full body armor, walking around with drawn m16s. i hadn't seen that before, or in any case, not in quite some time.
The color will be red by next October. If you don't vote for Republicans you are voting for terrorists will be the election slogan.
more summertime fear mongering! it is kind of scary when you have all these republicans talking about how we need another terrorist attack to get the american people behind bush - makes you wonder what they really know... we have people on this board like basso who claim that people who are against bush's failed policies are emboldening the terrorists and wishing death upon our troops, but here are their republican leaders publicly saying just that. who are the terrorists again? by definition, what these people are doing is engaging in terrorism. remember last month, the arkansas republican party chairman dennis milligan said this... "At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001]," Milligan told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "And the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country" former senator and current douchebag rick santorum said this last week... "Between now and November, a lot of things are going to happen, and I believe that by this time next year, the American public’s going to have a very different view of this war, and it will be because, I think, of some unfortunate events, that like we’re seeing unfold in the UK. But I think the American public’s going to have a very different view" http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-10-ridge-alerts_x.htm The Bush administration periodically put the USA on high alert for terrorist attacks even though then-Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge argued there was only flimsy evidence to justify raising the threat level, Ridge now says. Ridge, who resigned Feb. 1, said Tuesday that he often disagreed with administration officials who wanted to elevate the threat level to orange, or "high" risk of terrorist attack, but was overruled. remember the project for a new american century report done in the late 90's entitled "rebuilding america's defenses" which said that we needed "some catastrophic and catalyzing event––like a new pearl harbor" in order to transform the military?
Homeland Security Committee Chairman asks Chertoff what security code color is his gut. http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Homeland_security_chair_responds_to_Chertoffs_0711.html
