These guys were wannabes on the level of Moussaoui. They requested uniforms? Uniforms? I thought part of the entire concept of being a terrorist was that no one could identify you. Uniforms? Are these guys stupid or mentally deficient? This one stinks so bad as to be absurd.
Posted by ann at June 23, 2006 12:36 PMabsurd says it all..more chimp regime absurdity..move along nothing here...
Posted by headxray at June 23, 2006 12:43 PMThey were looking for attention, that's why they pretended to be "in" with AQ. Or else they were paid by Rove to pretend they were "homegrown terrorists." Either way, once the public realizes they've been had with yet another fake "terrorist cell," I think the fear factor will finally not be a factor in November.
Posted by iamcoyote at June 23, 2006 12:44 PMThis morning on C-Span Abu Gonzalez was giving his press conference regarding this "sting" operation. When asked by a reporter what level of preparation had actually been carried out in this "plot" he said among other assinine statements: "... we don't know what we don't know." WTF? I immediately thought, uh-oh - thata probably means the FBI put an ad in newspapers recruiting wannabe fools to become jihadists. Then Abu just pulled the trip wire and the bear snare went "boing!" I foresee this whole thing unraveling once the right thread is pulled. Just watch and wait.
Time wounds all heels. (:>
Posted by Donald Cormac at June 23, 2006 12:45 PMThese dudes had ZERO connection to Al Qaeda. They were walked through most of their "terrorist" activities by a FBI placed informant. It is clear that, given the white supremist bombers of Okla. City, a group of pissed off guys can rig a bomb that does great damage. But I'm guessing that a blood test on this band of Brothers would show pretty high levels of THC. So as the weekend news shows broadcast the triumph for the Bush Administration protecting us from this bunch of Al Queda duds, remember, its just another smokescreen.
Posted by T2 at June 23, 2006 12:46 PMI feel like Rip van Winkle over here....shouldn't there have been an "ORANGE ALERT" as a precursor to these arrests???....looks like Black Panther types that took the wrong turn!!
Posted by Goyo at June 23, 2006 12:47 PMEither way, once the public realizes they've been had with yet another fake "terrorist cell," I think the fear factor will finally not be a factor in November.
Only "if" they realize. To the majority of yahoos out there, they think this is real and scary. A bunch of pissed off, unemployed Miami stoners - now that's a threat.
Posted by ann at June 23, 2006 12:53 PMI've got a question.
Speaking from the hardcore left, do we need to condemn these guys? The reason I'm a bit confused is because I know we're supposed to clearly condemn all 'terrorists'. But these guys didn't actually undertake any attempts at terrorist activity. They talked about it. So are they technically terrorists? I mean Ann Coulter expressed a desire to see the New York Times building blown up. But, to my knowledge anyway, she didn't actually make any moves to actually do it. So where's the condemnation line? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't wanna just go off condemning people if it's not warranted but I'd like to stay out in front of this thing.
Posted by snark at June 23, 2006 12:56 PMIf these guys are the most dangerous they can find to parade around one of two things must be true.
Either there aren't any serious domestic groups or they're just no good at finding them.
Remember Cheney talks about the fact that there have been no terrorist incidents since 9/11 and how they've been successful at foiling them. If that's the case why haven't we been shown some serious bad guys and not just these wannabe whackos?
Posted by fly at June 23, 2006 12:58 PMAnn, this morning, the AP news break was all over the Santorum/WMD/Pentagon debunking, it was snidely done. The tv news will not be able to withhold these pictures for long, and once people see them, they'll know this was a hoax. Even racists will be able to tell that these aren't AQ-types, and won't be amused at being fooled yet again.
Posted by iamcoyote at June 23, 2006 01:03 PMLet's see here. The administration is doing away with the Voting Rights Act (OK, blame it on the few Congressmen from Texas and Georgia, but I would bet the White House/Rover is behind it), and now they are out arresting naive black people.
Is there a sublimini-ba-ba-ble message behind this?
Posted by at June 23, 2006 01:06 PMEven racists will be able to tell that these aren't AQ-types, and won't be amused at being fooled yet again.
I hope you're right. Forgive my cynicism about the analytical abilities of the majority of Americans, though. I mean, come on, there are people who still think Hussein was in on 9/11 and that we found WMDs in Iraq and not just Santorum, either.
Parallel this breathless account of Homeland Security in action is the military's claim today of capturing a major un-named Al Quida figure in Iraq. He is referred to a 'senior cell leader".
I thought the whole point of organizing in cells was to limit the value of any one individual within the entire criminal enterprise; and that cells were by definition small 3 to 7 people. SO does this story mean the senior member of a party of 3 to 7 was captured? This might be a very active and dangerous group, but it does not mean (I speculate) that Al Quida is again it's last throes.
Posted by gtash at June 23, 2006 01:19 PMI"d like to see the rap sheet on these guys. They don't look squeaky clean to me. Well, I guess its not fair to judge on appearances. they could be just some Rasta musicians. Oh, by the way, has anyone mentioned that this dangerous Al Qaeda group was operating in Florida - as in Gov. Jeb Bush's Florida....
Posted by T2 at June 23, 2006 01:25 PMReason_unable must be just pissed that they're not 'Islamic terrorists', and the THC level observation is absolutely right, T2.
This bunch of gang bangers would be hard pressed to rob a 7-11, never mind recreate a 9/11. They probably got paid more for KKK than they make selling ganja in a couple of months. More likely, they got a garbage bag full of FBI-confiscated pot and freedom to smoke it in the warehouse for playing their parts.
I hope KKK and/or Gonzo get strung up by whatever sexual organs they have for this fiasco. They are truly getting desperate.
Posted by tempus at June 23, 2006 01:25 PMAsked for $50,000 cash? Is it possible one or more of these guys was just running a con? ....trying to score some cash from someone the accused believed to be a gullible "jihadist"?
Posted by walden at June 23, 2006 01:25 PMI don't believe a single word about anything that emanates from the Bush administration.
That they were forced to include the fact that this group requested uniforms in the indictement leads me to venture this guess: the brothers were playing the undercover agent for a fool, intent on bagging all the goodies (illegal and otherwise) that he was prepared to cough up. In other words, they were entrapped. They told him things they assumed he wanted to hear in order to cash in.
Posted by Sonoma at June 23, 2006 01:31 PMAsked for $50,000 cash? Is it possible one or more of these guys was just running a con?
It wouldn't surprise me at all. If they realized they were dealing in any way with Bu$hCo, they saw a mark if ever there was one. I would debate who is dumber; these poor dorks, or the suit dork who thought it up.
Posted by tempus at June 23, 2006 01:35 PMI would debate who is dumber; these poor dorks, or the suit dork who thought it up.
Seriously, why not ask for $70,000? That's easier to divide by seven than $50,000.
Posted by ann at June 23, 2006 01:42 PMWell, on the good side, these idiots are off the street. However, as I'm reading the article, and based on my reaction from this morning when I heard the news (bullshit! was my reaction, because you can't believe squat that comes from Abu and bushco and it appears a valid reaction), I can't see this as anything but pr.
The broke into the warehouse, sorry, they swarmed over the warehouse, using a blowtorch to remove a metal door. I'll bet the Miami Seven and no idea the Feds were coming. If this is the nature of the threat we face in America, well, I'm not shakin in my Hawaian shirt and flip flops, I'm tellin you.
Ignorant Haitians and Americans, arrested by a desperate bushco, and I'll bet the $50k was the whole point of it.
Golly, I feel so much safer now that threat has been removed.
Posted by Duckman GR at June 23, 2006 01:57 PMHa! Sonoma's got it. These guys were playing the phoney Al Qaeda plant . String the fool along, grab some bucks, invest in a couple kilos of the good stuff, and be happy, mon! Mark it - when it comes back that these cats have records as long as their dreadlocks - that liar Gonzales and his bunch will look like the fools they are. I"ll say this one final thing....if somebody in Hollywood isn't already at work on a screenplay of this hoax, I'd be amazed.
Posted by T2 at June 23, 2006 01:59 PMNot that I would want to but, lately it hasn't been neccessary for me to watch FOX news. I have a new co-worker who seems to be of normal intellegence but spouts FOX talking points regularly without prompting. A year ago this wouldn't have surprised me but now, post Katrina, I wonder how can anyone still believe this tripe.
Posted by herbal tee at June 23, 2006 02:12 PMWe must remember that Speedy Gonzales "is the law."
He pops up every now and then to remind the public that he's actually doing something.
Wasn't his last raison d'etre to end all internet porn? What an idiot!
Posted by Christopher at June 23, 2006 02:33 PMI would be surprised if these "terrorists" were not a bunch of inner city petty crooks and drug users (as others have mentioned). Add to this that they are probably not shaprest tool in the shed and you have a nice environment for a overzealous "informant" to suggest the whole terrorist plot to them.
If these guys really are the zealous jihadists they are made out to be, then great job FBI.
Frankly, I think the defense attorneys will find that that very thing happened.
Desperate, angry, stupid people yes, Stealthy, ruthless, clever terrorists - I'll believe it when I see it.
Posted by j swift at June 23, 2006 02:34 PMTo Snark;
According to the law, even if you do not actually carry out a terrorist act but merely express to do it, it is a felony and you can be prosecuted for it.
Posted by suresh at June 23, 2006 02:59 PMAccording to the law, even if you do not actually carry out a terrorist act but merely express to do it, it is a felony and you can be prosecuted for it.
So, Ann Coulter expressing a desire that the New York Times would be bombed counts, too?
Posted by ann at June 23, 2006 03:04 PMOK, so they found 7 guys that Benard Getz would not like to sit next to on a bus. But terrorists?
I smell a setup. I bet they cherry pick the leading question undercover tapes on these guys, like they did on the run-up to the war. Be skeptical, be very skeptical.
If you offer the neighborhood kids $100 to distribute flaming bags of dogcrap, do you think you would get any takers?
Posted by TIKI AL at June 23, 2006 04:55 PM" But what we really have here is a case where these 'homegrown terrorists', in essence disgruntled Bin Laden wannabes..."
Who was that fellow shooting people in Virginia a few years ago...wait a minute it will come to me....oh, yeah....John Allen Muhammad: just a Bin Laden wannabe.
How many people died?
Posted by Bagley at June 23, 2006 04:55 PMBagley, if you think this is the same thing, forget it. Try that crap somewhere else. The government is claiming that these guys had plans to bomb buildings and make a big splash, which is different than a nut gunning for people on the freeway.
By the way, these guys had no money, no weapons of any kind, and no shoes.
But go ahead and keep trying to confuse the situation. It's the only way you guys can justify "hey, look over there" tactics like this one.
Posted by Steve Soto at June 23, 2006 05:05 PMSteve,
"The government is claiming that these guys had plans to bomb buildings and make a big splash, which is different than a nut gunning for people on the freeway."
You might want to try Google and find out some of the things John Allen M. was thinking of doing.
"By the way, these guys had no money, no weapons of any kind, and no shoes."
John Allen M. and his protege lived in their car for days on end....no permanent residence...when they lived inside, it was usually a motel room.
"But go ahead and keep trying to confuse the situation."
I do not believe that it is confusing the situation at all: these guys had intent and desire. They were looking for money to make their dreams come true.
Posted by Bagley at June 23, 2006 05:12 PMBreaking Bagley news: Bin Laden personally taught Jeffrey Dalmer how to eat people.
Posted by TIKI AL at June 23, 2006 05:13 PM"Breaking Bagley news: Bin Laden personally taught Jeffrey Dalmer how to eat people."
He did! News to me. How? When?
Enquiring minds want to know!
Anything else?
Posted by Bagley at June 23, 2006 05:27 PMTIKI, you never fail to make me laugh.
Teabagger, you poor, deluded fool.
Posted by iamcoyote at June 23, 2006 05:31 PMThanks, iamcoyote, given the hatred that consumes most Lefties, I am very glad to bring a smile to your face...a little respite from your all everyday misery.
Posted by Bagley at June 23, 2006 05:36 PMGoyo, the orange alerts will come about six weeks before the elections. Isn't that how's it's done?
Posted by Judith at June 23, 2006 06:15 PMGah, 'bagger, you're such a dunce.
Posted by iamcoyote at June 23, 2006 06:27 PMBagley, because it's Friday and it's triple-digit hot out here in Sacto, I'll let you restate your case. From what I understand, you are equating these two cases because like John Allen Muhammad, these guys if left alone and if instigated by an Al Qaeda-type person, would become mass killers?
Is that your argument?
Posted by Steve Soto at June 23, 2006 06:40 PMMY MOTTO: Believe nothing.
Something sticks to high heaven about this story. Don't forget, Rove is out there trying to get Bush's numbers up to help the Grand Old Party and those up for re-election in November. Orange alerts, captured terrorists wannabes, happiness and prosperity in Iraq, etc., are the stories that we will be hearing between now and November. Remember, the GOP can't afford to not win in the next election. I don't believe any of this story.
Posted by Judith at June 23, 2006 06:41 PM"The Times of London is reporting Friday that the new Iraqi government is prepared to announce as early as Sunday that it is offering a peace plan to the insurgents designed to split them off from Al Qaeda and bring them into the government." Posted by Steve Soto
I wonder if the terrorists story will knock this story off the Sunday talk shows. We certainly don't want the citizens of the US to know that Iraq may be getting ready to ask us to leave.
I'm just waiting for a blonde woman to appear in the plot and then you really have some news for FAUX to report!
Bagley, Believe what you want but you know this stinks like a set-up. These guys weren't organized, no formal training, more like gangster wannabes. I bet the leader turns out to be the narc. Is this the best our Gov. can come up with considering the sacrifices we have all made regarding our constitution?
I actually belly laughed when they said they tried to contact Al Qaeda. How do you make that call? Enquiring minds want to know?
BTW, Bagley it's inquiring minds.
Posted by Seven of Six at June 23, 2006 07:05 PMThis shit is just fucking comedic.
Apparently these wannabes ran around in Ninja suits.
Ninja suits.
Embarrassing.
Osama's gotta be laughing his ass off.
Posted by God Of War at June 23, 2006 07:19 PMOBL, probably said, "We can't afford your health plan!"
Posted by Seven of Six at June 23, 2006 07:23 PMJohn Allen Muhammad had a gun. These punks they charged couldn't even buy a gun...in Miami! As terrorist wannabes they are total losers.
Posted by ann at June 23, 2006 07:30 PMSonoma: I agree as we are getting closer to the elections, this is the new “Orange Alert” The republicans only wants you to be scare when elections time comes. They pass bills that hurt all of us for the good of the people, they always say, they say while passing anything that would profits themselves.
I looked at the pictures and all looked scare to death! Is it another easy election commercial?
It seems close to the guys that wanted to destroy the Brookline Bridges with blow torches.
Maybe the maggot-scent 7 were trying to get to Bin Laden to capture him and collect the reward. They look like they could use some beer money. (makes as much sense as the government's story.)
Posted by TIKI AL at June 24, 2006 02:22 AMThis bunch of wannabes ladies and gentlemen is why you have been forced to give up your freedoms. Do they go straight to Gitmo? I would love to see how strong the Government's case is. I want to know the particulars. I want to know the evidence.
Posted by Judith at June 24, 2006 05:18 AMJust read a story over a talking points. It appears our homegrown terrorist leader was a guy who wandered the streets playing like Moses. The group got together to do Bible study and may not have even converted to Islam. I just love this crap. Incompetence that starts with the head of the free world and rolls all the way to FBI investigation in FL.
Asked for $50,000 cash? Is it possible one or more of these guys was just running a con? ....trying to score some cash from someone the accused believed to be a gullible "jihadist"?
50K to raise an Army?
More like 50K to get out of town fast. You know like a long overdue Hawaiian vacation? Sounds like the ringleader was running a con with or without the help of the other Keystoned Cops.
Posted by Daryl at June 24, 2006 08:06 AM$50,000 is suspicious. If they had said $l.5 million, it would be a lot more credible. $7,143 each. The sad part is that if this was nothing more than a scam, they have just bought the farm, so to speak.
Posted by Judith at June 24, 2006 09:14 AM