Friday, May 28, 2004
Terrorists? Nah, We Weren't That Serious...
Apparently not. Seems that some or all of the "gang of seven" have been spotted in the Denver area and reported by locals. Trouble is, the FBI doesn't seem to care.
FBI spokeswoman Monique Kelso claimed they had taken all of the reports seriously, but added, "...the FBI has no reason to believe any of the seven are in Colorado or traveling through."
Now think about that for a moment. The only reason they'd have no reason to think this is if they know exactly where the suspects are. You'd think "numerous" calls about the seven would be reason for the FBI to believe that, in fact, they are travelling through the area. So, there are two conclusions: 1) The FBI has no idea where these alleged terrorists are, but doesn't give a rat's ass, or 2) The FBI knows exactly where, implying they also know exactly what they're up to.
The former possibility, the FBI not caring, means one of two things. First, they know these people are no threat; quite likely, considering at least two have been reported in custody and one out of the country. Or, second, for whatever reason, they're not trying to stop a known threat, as in "somebody needs another boost in the polls, so back off." Although I really, really doubt that the FBI would go for that option, seeing as how they've been burned badly by a certain low-polling administration in the recent past.
Now, the latter possibility, the FBI knowing exactly where, brings up the question, "Why, then, was John Asscroft's warning so vague?" The two details seem contradictory. FBI knows enough to know where the terrorists are not, but Attorney General doesn't know enough to indicate where they are or where they're going. Considering that two of the bunch were reported eating at a Denver-area Denny's on Wednesday, the same day as the announcement, there really wasn't a whole lot of time for the FBI to suddenly come up with new information. If they did, Ashcroft has had two days to issue a supplemental warning.
Ergo, I think what the FBI is really telling us without saying it is this: "We all knew these were cold leads the second the names were announced. We've investigated them to death, most of the suspects aren't even in the country, and the ones who are aren't doing anything suspicious. But we have to at least pretend to care, so that it doesn't become obvious that our boss, the AG, was lying through his teeth when he gave his warning."
Denver omlette, anyone...?
FBI spokeswoman Monique Kelso claimed they had taken all of the reports seriously, but added, "...the FBI has no reason to believe any of the seven are in Colorado or traveling through."
Now think about that for a moment. The only reason they'd have no reason to think this is if they know exactly where the suspects are. You'd think "numerous" calls about the seven would be reason for the FBI to believe that, in fact, they are travelling through the area. So, there are two conclusions: 1) The FBI has no idea where these alleged terrorists are, but doesn't give a rat's ass, or 2) The FBI knows exactly where, implying they also know exactly what they're up to.
The former possibility, the FBI not caring, means one of two things. First, they know these people are no threat; quite likely, considering at least two have been reported in custody and one out of the country. Or, second, for whatever reason, they're not trying to stop a known threat, as in "somebody needs another boost in the polls, so back off." Although I really, really doubt that the FBI would go for that option, seeing as how they've been burned badly by a certain low-polling administration in the recent past.
Now, the latter possibility, the FBI knowing exactly where, brings up the question, "Why, then, was John Asscroft's warning so vague?" The two details seem contradictory. FBI knows enough to know where the terrorists are not, but Attorney General doesn't know enough to indicate where they are or where they're going. Considering that two of the bunch were reported eating at a Denver-area Denny's on Wednesday, the same day as the announcement, there really wasn't a whole lot of time for the FBI to suddenly come up with new information. If they did, Ashcroft has had two days to issue a supplemental warning.
Ergo, I think what the FBI is really telling us without saying it is this: "We all knew these were cold leads the second the names were announced. We've investigated them to death, most of the suspects aren't even in the country, and the ones who are aren't doing anything suspicious. But we have to at least pretend to care, so that it doesn't become obvious that our boss, the AG, was lying through his teeth when he gave his warning."
Denver omlette, anyone...?
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