Krugman: A terror plot in Texas, and Ashcroft is quiet

[DaveSZ]

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/06/23krugman.html

Krugman: A terror plot in Texas, and Ashcroft is quiet

By Paul Krugman
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Wednesday, June 23, 2004


In April 2003, John Ashcroft's Justice Department disrupted what appears to have been a horrifying terrorist plot. In the small Texas town of Noonday, FBI agents discovered a weapons cache containing fully automatic machine guns, remote-controlled explosive devices disguised as briefcases, 60 pipe bombs and a chemical weapon — a cyanide bomb — big enough to kill everyone in a 30,000-square-foot building.

Strangely, though, the attorney general didn't call a news conference to announce the discovery of the weapons cache, or the arrest of William Krar, its owner. He didn't even issue a press release. This was, to say the least, out of character. Jose Padilla, the accused "dirty bomber," didn't have any bomb-making material or even a plausible way to acquire such material, yet Ashcroft put him on front pages around the world. Krar was caught with an actual chemical bomb, yet Ashcroft acted as if nothing had happened.

Incidentally, if Ashcroft's intention was to keep the case low-profile, the media have been highly cooperative. To this day, the Noonday conspiracy has received little national coverage.

At this point, I have the usual problem. Writing about John Ashcroft poses the same difficulties as writing about the Bush administration in general, only more so: The truth about his malfeasance is so extreme that it's hard to avoid sounding shrill.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. White "KKKristian KKKonservatives" can do no wrong in the eyes....

of this racsist administration!!!

[aden_nak]

2. William Krar undermines the premise of Bush's "War on Terr'r"

That is, specificly, that all terrorists either come from Ira. . uh, the Middle East, or else are in league with al Queda directly. See, Bush can say "War on Terr'r" all he wants, but what he means is "War on Specific Nations That Have Pissed Me Off".

John Lindh Walker was an obvious Taliban connection, so he got coverage. Jose Padilla was a much needed filler spot for the "War on Terr'r" and, thankfully, has a foreign sounding name. Not necessarily Middle Eastern, but certainly not "white sounding".

One of the articles I read mentions that William Krar was investigated around the time of Oklahoma City, but there was apparently not enough evidence for a prosecution. One of the core tennants of the "War on Terr'r" is that all Americans support the President, and anyone else is either an Ira. . . sorry again. . . al Queda sympethizer, or not from America.

[whistle]

3. Asskraft is quiet because it's not his terror plot....

...also, weren't the plotters connected with the Pentecostal church (I'm sorry I meant white supremacists)? Here's a link to the whole thing that you won't need passwords for:

http://www.thememoryhole.org/terror/tyler-terror.htm

<snip>

Americans should question whether the Justice Department is making America's far-right fanatics a serious priority.... It is also worrisome that the discovery of lethal chemicals in President Bush's home state was not deemed occasion for a high-profile announcement by Attorney General John Ashcroft or other officials trumpeting the arrests of Mr. Krar and his compatriots. This stands in stark contrast to the department's news media onslaughts whenever alleged operatives for Al Qaeda have been apprehended in the United States.

<much more>

[struggle4progress]

4. He wouldn't want to alienate the Bushista base, would he? eom

[nightperson]

5. Thanks for posting this,

and thanks to Mr. Krugman for reminding people of the wild Krar story. Talk about ammo to throw back at freepers. I think folks have been actually quite restrained about discussing this story. Imagine if Mr. Krar was an Arab-American or just an "Old Leftie". We'd be hearing about this 24/7. My God, we're so civil, discreet and forgiving ;) !