Clinton Administration's "warnings" for the Y2K event.

[SoCalDem]

Compare with the pre 9/11 warnings that we got..

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http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/dn99/dn99mill.html


Project Megiddo

Background

Report issued by Federal Bureau of Investigation

Warns that terrorist groups with apocalyptic visions may do violence at the Millennium

Project Megiddo (FBI)

Public summary of report in pdf format (32 pages)
Describes possible domestic terrorism at the turn of the millenium
Addresses apocalyptic and new world order prophecies, terrorist groups, date of the millenium and the Turner Diaries

Another Copy

FBI: Militias a Threat at Millennium
Original USA Today article on October 20, 1999

UMich affiliates should search Academic Universe for the text
FBI Press Release

Press release issued on October 20, 1999
Responds to USA Today article
Text Copy

FBI Warns "2000" May Spark Violence (Washington Post)
Article run on October 31, 1999 claims to have seen the report
Report names at least three groups which may be stockpiling weapons

Concern over Apocalypse or New World Order
American Atheist Organization

Describes the report, which is not yet available to the public
Terrorism Threats

Ahmed Ressam Arrest (CNN)

Ahmed Ressam was arrested for bringing bomb-making materials into Port Angelus, Washington from Canada

Article dated December 19 report on investigation

Includes links to numerous other government investigations on possible terrorist activities

FAA Travel Alert
Announcement of increased security at U.S. airports
Released Dec. 20, 1999
FBI Package Warning

Warning to contact authorities about packages received from Frankfurt, Germany and sender unknown
Issued December 23, 1999

Nuclear Control Institute

Lobby group against nuclear weapons
Letter of protest dated December 23, 1999 on unpublished Nuclear Regulatory advisory

NUREG advisory says no extra precautions needed at nuclear plants during millennial celebration

Worldwide Caution: Terrorist Threat (State Dept)

Travel warning issued on December 20, 1999 about possible terrorist activity abroad

Y2K Travel Warnings (State Dept)

Advice for persons living or flying abroad
Includes general travel warning of December 11, 1999

and more...

[kodi]

1. in contrast to clinton's actions to warnings bush be found negligent

one has to realize that bush will ask "what else could i have done?" and we should use clinton's behavior in reference to terrorist warnings as the boundary condition within which bush's actions should be judged.

if it is revealed that clinton did more to stop terrorism with less information than bush had, bush should be impeached.

our mantra about bush:

"KNEW MORE, DID LESS"

[KayLaw]

2. Thanks and a question

Rice's testimony made me wonder just whose job is it to gather all this information and put it together? She clearly doesn't think it's her job, and Bush just stayed on vacation and played golf. How did Bill Clinton connect the dots and prevent those attacks? Rice blamed structural problems but what about the structure was diffent under Bill Clinton?

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Sandy Berger.

Sandy Berger held daily meetings with the "principles" of each agency and when there was chatter, he required them to shake the trees so that they could each bring forth information that was being collected in the field at the bottom levels. Basically, the Clinton Administration went to "full battle stations" when there was the kind of chatter that the Bush Administration started to receive in May, July & August of 2001. Another thing that the Bush Administration did that weakened this process is that Richard Clarke's position was demoted to a staff position. The Clinton Administration had the position as a cabinet position so Clarke had more direct access to the principles and there was a better success of communicating important information.

The reports from the agencies were very thorough and Clinton actually READ them! So he was very involved in the process and demanded further information and investigation when necessary.

Simply put, counter-terrorism was NOT a priority for the Bush Administration. How could it be when Condoleza Rice was not as involved in the day to day events as her predecessor? How could it be if Clarke's position was demoted? How could it be if reports had to be dumbed down for George Bush to understand?

[KayLaw]

4. Sheesh

This sure makes me wonder what would have happened had Gore been on the job.

[Blue_Roses]

5. You know, this is what I don't get.

How can they even compare the two administrations in the same sentence--9/11 and the Y2K attacks that were thwarted--are two totally different situations. One was a success (reagarding intelligence) the other a complete meltdown. Anyone who has read Clarke's book with an open mind can see clearly that Clinton WAS concerned about bin laden and al Qaeda while Bush tried so hard to go in the opposite direction of Clinton. I'm beginning to see just exactly why Bush missed these "alerts." Bottom line: he didn't want anything in his adminstration to look like he agreed with Clinton, therefore, making himself the biggest egotistical idiot in Presidential history.

Reading Clarke's book makes it crystal clear that Clinton was paying attention. People just don't realize how bad it could have been if Clinton, Gore, Berger, Clarke and many others were not paying attention or had taking these threats lightly. Fast foward to the Bush administration look what happened when they didn't take these threats seriously--9/11.

In fact, that is my favorite chapter in Clarke's book. Millennium Alert:

"...I think we dodged the bullet, but we also learned alot. We got a lot of work to do." Berger was right. For anyone who doubted it before... they're here (referring to Al Qaeda). --excerpt from "Against All Enemies"

When I read that sentence, chills crawled down my spine.:scared: