Sep 23 2008
Will al-Qaeda Try To Influence America’s Election? – Updated With Intel Alert!
Major Update: Reader SBD provides us a chilling look at one of the intel warnings that just went out a few days ago -Â
17 September 2008: A disturbing communication posted in a high level Arabic language forum suggests that some type of terrorist operation is currently underway, targeting sites within the United States and Europe. According to information developed within the last 24 hours by a deep-cover intelligence operative, Islamic terrorists have been dispatched to the U.S. and Europe and may be in place, preparing to execute unspecified terrorist attacks within the U.S. and Europe.
While many such threats by Islamic terrorists are published constantly and end up being nothing more than propaganda, it is important to note that the origin and nature of the communications isolated here meet a significantly higher standard of evidence for threat evaluation purposes. As such, it is the recommendation of this agency that individual awareness of any suspicious activity be stepped up accordingly, and immediately reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
That’s a sobering message. – End Update
The real October surprise might come from al-Qaeda, if what intelligence officials are seeing is correct:
Call it Osama bin Laden‘s “October surprise.” In late August, during the weekend between the Democratic and Republican conventions, America’s military and intelligence agencies intercepted a series of messages from Al Qaeda’s leadership to intermediate members of the organization asking local cells to be prepared for imminent instructions.
An official familiar with the new intelligence said the message was picked up in multiple settings, from couriers to encrypted electronic communications to other means. “These are generic orders,” the source said — a distinction from the more specific intelligence about the location, time, and method of an attack. “It was, ‘Be on notice. We may call upon you soon.’ It was sent out on many channels.”
This is bad news for Americans in general. We have seen years of failed plots against American interests as Bin Laden and his crew have tried to cower the American people into surrendering the battle field. But so far they have not been successful.  There have been reports for over year now of European and American terrorist cells using nationals from Europe and America, to camoflage  the human weapons better. This may be the year the trigger is pulled on these ticking time bombs.
This is bad news for the Democrats as well. If America wakes up out of its happy daze and realizes the terrorists are still out there, still spending their entire existence working to kill us in large numbers, Obama’s inexperience will become the main issue of this race.
Moreover, if Obama does start to lose ground after an attack, I am afraid the nutters will come out in force and try and claim Bush allowed it to happen to give the election to McCain-Palin. Trust me, the left is that insane. And Obama is so desperate for power he would probably lead the chorus.
Ed Morrissey shares his thoughts on this topic today as well.
I’ve been wondering if the terrorists would try something. It’s safe to predict, however, that the half-vast left-wing loonies will blame any attack on Bush (and extend the blame to McCain) because that’s what the half-vast left-wing loonies do.
A couple of years ago I began asking people if the Left was stupid or evil, particularly when it concerns our national defense. I’ve always maintained they were primarily evil, but most of the people I asked thought they weren’t but wouldn’t go so far as to say they were stupid, either. I think lately the Left has proven how utterly evil they really are.
Considering that the terrorists tried to raze the WTC towers in Clinton’s first year, and then succeeded in Bush’s first year, will they try something in ’09 should (God forbid!) BO be elected?
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I think American soil has been marked off al-Qaida’s list of targets due simply to the dire consequences that have accrued to the entire region as a result of the first attack on 9-11-01..
These folks have had their hats handed to them. Their organization is in disarray, their finances depleted, their chain of command disrupted, not to mention a huge troop morale problem due to their very public whipping in Iraq.
As AJ has pointed out, they have succeeded in getting most of Araby to turn against them due to their brutality.
A strike on the Great Satan’s interests in the ME is certainly a possiblity, and they have displayed their capability in the bombing of the hotel in Islamabad, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they leave American soil out of their plans. Besides, it would elect the man they don’t want for President, IMHO.
This was recently reported by the Northeast Intelligence Network
Intelligence: Terror operation in U.S., Europe possibly imminent
Islamic terrorist operatives reportedly dispatched, in place, and possibly ready to execute terrorist operation in U.S., Europe
“Pray for the successes of our brothers in America & Europe. Expect ‘good news’ soon.” Posted by Arabic speaking Islamic terrorist supporter
By Douglas J. Hagmann, Director
17 September 2008: A disturbing communication posted in a high level Arabic language forum suggests that some type of terrorist operation is currently underway, targeting sites within the United States and Europe. According to information developed within the last 24 hours by a deep-cover intelligence operative, Islamic terrorists have been dispatched to the U.S. and Europe and may be in place, preparing to execute unspecified terrorist attacks within the U.S. and Europe.
While many such threats by Islamic terrorists are published constantly and end up being nothing more than propaganda, it is important to note that the origin and nature of the communications isolated here meet a significantly higher standard of evidence for threat evaluation purposes. As such, it is the recommendation of this agency that individual awareness of any suspicious activity be stepped up accordingly, and immediately reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
SBD
Yeah, any kind of terrorist attack is going to work just the opposite of the way it did before Spain’s elections. The “Spanish Solution” wouldn’t work here and if this is true and they really are planning such an attack, it is pretty clear evidence that they really have no fundamental understanding of our culture. And given the lack of understanding we have of theirs, it would be no surprise that they don’t understand us either.
It would backfire on them and pretty much ensure a McCain win.
Patch, you are so right, we are not Spain, and the Middle East isn’t the same Middle East it was pre 9-11, either. The vaunted “Arab Street” wants no more of the Great Satan in their midst. An attack on American soil would legitimize further “preventive measures” that could even involve the Iranians this time.
Imagine what we would do if there were thousands, or even hundreds, more dead American civilians. The only good thing I could think of is that the anti-war American Left would probably have to shut the heck up, the groundswell for action would crush their movement.
If we are off the target list, then we are safer, and we’ve got George Bush’s willingness to exact disproportionate consequences on the region, and our military’s willingness to stand and shed blood without fleeing, to thank for where we are today.
Al Qaeda probably watches too much C-SPAN and thinks the American people are as craven as our politicians.