From the Counterterrorism Blog’s Olivier Guitta:
Back in October, the French press leaked that Islamists had acquired missiles to shoot down planes at French airports. This information was just confirmed. It is included in the file prepared by anti terror French judges regarding the Chechen terror networks. In fact, according to Jordanian/ Palestinian Islamist Abu Atiya (a close associate of Abu Musab Al Zarqawi) arrested in 2003, a terrorist group headed by Algerian Islamist Taqi Al Din purchased in mid 2000 two Russian SAM 18 Igla missiles from Chechen rebel Ruslan Gulaiev. Al Din told Abu Atiya that he wanted to use the missiles to down civilian planes in France with the help of two Algerians holders of European passports. Al Din was able to smuggle the missiles to Turkey but from that point on authorities were not able to trace them. So far, the missiles have not been recovered.
Finally, Abu Itya acknowledged that he convinced Al Din to target the US rather than France. But at this point, Al Din did not confirm.
[My emphasis]
It’s one thing getting SAMS into Turkey; it’s quite another getting them into the US, lax port security notwithstanding. Of course, now that our intel gathering operations have been compromised (assuming we were using an effective, automated keyword datamining program) by an irrational desire to punish a President for his mispronunciation of “nuclear,” his distrust of transnational elitism, and his swaggering cowboy malapropisms, who knows? Maybe the targeting of flights coming into or out of the US is now that much easier.
Of course, that’s just idle speculation. And besides—the leaking of highly classified secrets by someone who as taken an oath not to leak such secrets in order that s/he might shine a light on how unhappy s/he is with his not being given the responsibility to run our military intel gathering program as s/he sees fit is the highest form of patriotism, even if it means a few air passengers have to get vaporized and later identified by wristwatches or dental work.
After all, you gotta break a few eggs if you want to fluff up an anti-Bush blood omelet…
(h/t Ray)
…but, but that would just PROVE Chimpy McHitlerburton wasn’t doing enough to protect us, even when we didn’t want him to do the stuff he was already doing!
I just read an article about several Arab looking people being investigated because they tried to purchase 60-160 prepaid cell phones. Could they be trying to find ways to circumvent our leaked intel gathering procedures? Nahhhhhh. Couldn’t be.
Richard Mc: you hit that one right on the nubbins. We live in an irony-impaired world.
Oh, yes, we are certain it will be Bush’s fault, we will just have to wait on the disaster to figure out exactly how to pin it on him.
These things take time.
There must be consequences. Unfortunately, those who will suffer them are very unlikely to be employed by the New York Times.
Is it time for The Angry Mob to gather with their torches?
Just askin’.
Y’know, Clinton always mispronounced “nuclear,” too.
It was more like the harsh, clipped Carter “nookyiller” than the soft, ebonic “nukulur” that Bush, following LBJ, favors, but stillâ€â€suitable for sneering.
So you’d think there’d have been some sneering. If you’re stupid.
JAINJISS CON!
How long before Actus blames GWB?
And besidesâ€â€the leaking of highly classified secrets by someone who as taken an oath not to leak such secrets in order that s/he might shine a light on how unhappy s/he is with his not being given the responsibility to run our military intel gathering program as s/he sees fit is the highest form of patriotism, even if it means a few air passengers have to get vaporized and later identified by wristwatches or dental work.
And what of the leak of classified secrets in the form of operatives names by someone who as taken an oath not to leak such secrets in order that s/he reteliate against a political critic, even if it means compromising networks dedicated to finding nuclear weapons programmes?
Oh, right. IOKIYAR.
Wingnuts.
Phoenwhatever,
You couldn’t have found any sort of example a bit less shotworn that that old bit of crap?
Liberals are more desperate than I thought.
Phoenician,
Why are you lying again? There is no evidence that the leak of Valerie Plame’s threadbare identity was in “retaliation” for anything.
Two thoughts.
1. You probably believe that’s really really true. No really!
2. That you get your amazing intellectual insights from the funny papers does not surprise me.
Is that Actus or PIATOR? I can’t tell them apart.
Why are you lying again? There is no evidence that the leak of Valerie Plame’s threadbare identity was in “retaliation†for anything.
Is that what PITAR is gibbering about? I couldn’t tell since he/she/it didn’t provide even one of his/her/its usual off-topic or diversionary links that he/she/it intends as cover for his/her/its empty bluster and topic-dodging. Very…oh…Kos Kidz or Atiosity in his/her/its delivery; totally phoned in.
Red herring. Tu quoque. Ad hominem.
Ipso facto. Ipse dixit. Ad hoc.
Ipso facto and ipse dixit? I’m about to choke on that pretzel of Latin you served me.
Of course, Jihadis would be targeting the French, from Charles Martel and the Song of Roland back
in the 8th century, they have been the original
crusaders,playing the same role, three centuries
later, in the crusades; replicating that role
in the encounter at Lepanto, the Bonaparte expedition to Egypt, their 17 year campaign in
Algeria, followed by another century of occupation, there and in Morocco, their small
role in WW 1, which won them the lands of Greater
Syria along with the Mosul section of Kurdistan,
et al. There re jihadist campaigns everywhere along that zone of influence, along with the nations of Niger,(remember the yellowcake)
and even the nation of Rwanda; a Belgian territory well armed by French advisors to the
Hutu security officers; where Salafism has cought
on big. Now as to the silly matter, of the twice
outed intelligence analyst, (to the Russians and
the DGI) whose energy company cover; was thinner
than Credite Delphine; well wake me when something of import happens
American Islamic Leaders Warn Of Anti-Muslim Backlash Following Next Month’s Nuking Of Tel Aviv
Turing = first, as in This isn’t my first bit of blog self-pimpage here, but I hope it’s okay.
Wasn’t it PIATOR who was moaning pitiously a while back about the evil of ad hominem attacks?
Here’s the leftist mantra: “When I do it, it’s different.”
My ex-girlfriend used to pull that one on me all the time.
PIATOR, are you really a gorgeous Eurasian former gymnast named Jacqueline? If so, I don’t hate you anymore. I wouldn’t mind giving it another shot, if you’re game too.
Call me.
She’s a kiwi, but she doesn’t like to talk about it much. However, she *does* like to make fun of American paranoia. After all, she’s safe on the other side of the world!
P.S. Kiwis can’t spell. Had you noticed?
t/w: As God is my witness, “girls.”
I stole this from a commenter over at Patterico’s. I thought it was appropriate.
Actually there are two correct pronunciations of the word nuclear he uses the second one.
Ooo! Ooo! Latin!
Habeas corpus! Veni vidi vici! Coitus interruptus!
PIATOR, get your fat lazy ass up off of the couch and make my a sandwich. Bitch.
Wasn’t Jimmuh Cahtuh an officer aboard a nuculer submarine?