However, void of significant centralized support, these attacks will generally be small in size. Mr. O’Briend, in his comment, talks about how the Christmas bombing attempt demonstrates that the terrorists maintain an “effective operating network that is creative and cunning.” A small amount of research will demonstrate, in fact, that this bombing demonstrates the exact opposite. The chances of a bomb this size has very little chance of actually downing an airliner. Most successful aircraft bombs have been much larger and placed in the cargo hold, or in the passenger compartment directly above a wing. The latter scenario is no longer possible given the configuration of modern aircraft, and ALL aircraft systems being redundant, this failed attack demonstrates that Al Qaeda is in no way creative or cunning, nor maintains an “effective operating network.”

….it is not necessarily AQ and the Taliban who are foremost our daily worry, but the void in government leadership, “entrusted” public servants who prefer self agenda versus the US Constitution and State Constitution….folks like Pelosi, Barney Frank and as we have seen, Harry’s comments about the color of the President’s skin and isn’t it intersting how we recollect the hoopla about the police officer “doing his juob” and the President’s buddy up here in Cambridge….I guess if you’re a Democrat, all goes and is forgiven….

This independent voter and so many of us are tired of the same ‘ol, same ‘ol…We are for the most part beyond the narrow minded perspectives and prejudices as we are in the 21st century and our Republic demands that the US Constitution is adhered to, immigration laws are adhered to, etc., etc.

Printing fiat dollars to cover up the past only promises the end of our American standard of living. stood in the past in protest for three years, three very cold winters, 1,491 hours in a one-man crusade to demand that local government stop its politicizing and reopen a closed fire station, today the busiest in town. I point this out because as we sit watching the “biggest loser” deriving hopefully a sense of wellness, to cut our portions and exercise, we as individuals can make a difference and it is not only at the polls, but in becoming a participant in local, state and even national issues….

We are not only at war with those who willingly prepare and perform dastardly and cowardly deed as outright killers of innocents, but we are at war with those who seek to enslave we the citizens who have lost trillions in assets while the good ‘ol fellas of Wall Street write their bonus checks….

Churchill stood tall and despite the critics, his willing and lonely stance made the difference….You, too can do the same and demand that the principles of this beloved nation remain as the substitute places us in much peril in the air and on the ground!

Christopher Tingus
64 Whidah Drive
Harwich, MA 02645 USA
chris.tingus@gmail.com

Examples? The al-Queda/Taliban attack on the forward operating base in Afghanistan, and the Christmas day attempt in Detroit. Two seemingly disparate events, but both have disturbing indications that we are in danger of missing because of all the political positioning. In the Christmas day failed attack, it is the first time – in a very long time – that al-Queda has (nearly) successfully projected its power on to U.S. soil without attempting to utilize “homegrown” elements within the U.S. In the second instance, it hit a platform that had been hurting it in the Afghan-Paki border. An impressive feat, one that shows it still has an effective operating network that is creative and cunning. Both instances show, graphically, it is still taking the fight to us – just like we took the fight to them.

Al-Queda may not be as marginalized as everyone is posturing. But it is counting on the fact that we are talking that way. They’ve adapted and changed, and suddenly taken advantage of the fact that we’ve grown a bit complacent; we, in fact, lost sight of the ball.

The damage could have been much worse.

I am heartened that this President has now come out and unequivocally called this a “war”. The election is long past. Now we need to not only regain our focus on the ball, but watch the pitcher’s arm, to see how they’re going to throw it again…

- David Headley, the man from Chicago, is not a case that reveals “that senior Al Qaeda leaders are making direct contact…” Mr. Headley became radicalized while he was in Pakistan, conducting undercover surveillance activites for the DEA, as part of a plea from a 1998 drug conviction.
-Adlene Hicheur was not a “former nuclear engineering professor at Stanford University.” He was a particle physics scientist who had done some research at Stanford while working on his Ph.D. It is doubtful whether he had the capacity to successfully carry out any of the attacks he had written about.
- The two guys from Seattle and Minneapolis were born in Somalia, and had returned to Somalia to fight against the secular government which, though propped up by the U.S. and others, does not have the support of the country’s people. Clearly, these incidents have nothing to do with the United States, never posed a threat to the United States, and were not the result of Al-Qaeda recruitment inside the U.S. in the sense that you insinuate
-The guy from Alabama was also focused on the Somalia situation
-There is no credible evidence that Carlose Bledsoe, who killed the army recruiter, was actually even recruited by Al Qaeda. His statements about the process of his radicalization have been shown to be false. The guy was just a sociopath.

Disaffected criminals will frequently connect themselves to a larger group or cause that is in the spotlight, for the sake of attention or to try and rationalize their actions.

In any case, some of the information I provided shows a pretty clear effort to recast these incidents in a way that suits your argument, and in my opinion, at a sufficient level, that should lead readers to question the accuracy of your perspectives as a whole.

You’re absolutely right. This is not time to be complacent but I’m afraid this is also no wake up call. The only thing we will see come out of this is each side of the political line try and spin it for their agenda. Until we see consistent attacks within our borders, I’m afraid nothing major will change.