CBS: Terror Threats Surged Before 9/11

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/21/terror/main607659.shtml

Fears of a "catastrophic," "spectacular" terrorist attack by al Qaeda built over the six months prior to Sept. 11, a federal commission reported Tuesday.

"The intelligence reporting consistently described the upcoming attacks as occurring on a catastrophic level, indicating that they would cause the world to be in turmoil, consisting of possible multiple—but not necessarily simultaneous—attacks," the commission found.

<snip>

The report on pre-Sept. 11 threats found that the alarming reports began in March 2001, increased in April and May and surged in June and July, with intelligence reports with headlines like "Bin Ladin threats are real," and "Bin Ladin planning high profile attacks."

"In late August, working-level CIA and FBI officials realized that one or more al Qaeda operatives might be in the United States," the report found.

Because of the threats, the U.S. redployed its 5th fleet and put troops on alert in six countries. Officials like Vice President Dick Cheney contacted foreign governments for help. Some foreign authorities detained suspected militants.

[section321]

1. But of course, nothing stated that 19 hijackers would fly four airplances.

into the WTC and Pentagon on the morning of September 11th, 2001 and that they would be led by Mohammed Atta.

Without those basic facts, how could the President be expected to anything other then golf, raise money and clear brush at his ranch in Crawford?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Bojinka

among others. You in this administration?

[damnraddem]

3. My wife's question: if pre-911 intelligence info was too nonspecific ...

to allow the Bushistas to act against Al Qaida, why was nonexistent intelligence info sufficient to allow the Bushistas to invade Iraq?

[soleft]

5. What a fabulous point!

This question should be blased to everyone in the media?

[TheDebbieDee]

6. Good catch! Damnradden

I've got to file that argument away in my memory bank for use at a later time. Excellent!

[Sparkle]

8. Your wife is a smart cookie!

[VolcanoJen]

10. This is the point we MUST drive home.

The intelligence about Iraq WMD was far flimsier than the evidence that preceded the 9/11 attacks.

This puts the Administration in a precarious position, one which I do not envy.

[PfcHammer]

11. don't let sec powell hear that n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

12. To many unknown unknowns to know.

The invasion of Iraq was planned in the late 90's, no intelligence necessary, they simply used pre gulf war I intelligence that sounded good. A heavy handed nitwit redneck plan.

On the other hand, preventing 9/11 would have actually required a facility for abstract thinking coupled with wisdom and sound reasoning. The bunch running our country at that moment had no experience with this kind of exercise, being government/corporate crony tit sucking types.

[demdave]

13. So conversely, anyone who says that they should have seen 9/11 coming

would then have to be behind the Iraq war?

[democrat in Tallahassee]

4. It's obviously Clinton's fault. Can't you people see that?

Lay off bush; he is not responsible for anything.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

7. Indeed

He's a hands-on, can-do war presnit who's not responsible for squat. Bob Boudelang said so ;-)

[Ernesto]

9. GEE WIZZ! How could you know?

That's just what St. John Ashcroft told the 9-11 commission today.