So, no one ever thought about helicopters and limos being used?

[underpants]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040809_587.html

As I sat and watched ABC (in particular NBC lead with the Chalabi indictment) read its talking points on fear I was amazed that anyone would think that this is anything new.

Their report actually did mention that the charter helicopter pilots themselves don't think that these aircraft would be effective weapons as they only go about 100 mph and only carry 100 gallons of fuel-max. Then ABC had one of their reporters in a helicopter saying that they would be an excellent tool to observe traffic movements and such-during a 10 minute ride, I suspect that anyone taking notes or drawing out sketches would raise suspicion especially now.

The limo thing is the most mindless thing I have ever heard of. Of course large vehicles such as this (rental vans apparently are just now recognized as potential threats-OKC anyone?) could carry the amount of explosive or agent needed but no one ever thought of that before? Did they ASSUME that the "rich"* wouldn't want to hurt anything or anyone? Isn't OBL rich?

*-by "rich" I of course mean anyone who has $80 to rent a limo.

The whole thing is clearly just brushing off old information apparent to everyone and part of a weeklong data dump to muddy up the waters of not telling people last Sunday how old the information was that this alert was based on.

[sui generis]

1. this IS the October surprise

it's like a dirty bomb -- it won't incinerate us, but it will slowly poison us for the next two months. This is a planned attempt to control the news cycle every single day between now and the election so that Kerry and our campaign simply won't get coverage.

[underpants]

4. Well I think it is weak and ineffective

Weak because it is all "maybes" and "could be's" and ineffective because most people (non-news/pol junkies) are going to get tired of hearing it over and over and over.

"Crying Wolf" is how it is often described but it is more a matter of Joe at the coffee shop/bar wanting to hear what W is going to do about this and other matters.

Incumbents always face a referendum on THEIR time in office and regardless of W&Co. trying to change that political certainty it will still hold true.

[sui generis]

10. hey didn't your underoos used to bounce left to right

like pong on valium? I mean, your sig graphic. Perhaps I am not a keen observer of undergarment kinetics.

[underpants]

11. *gulp* How did you know about that?

:scared:

No they never bounced just scrolled.

[whistle]

2. Every time the intelligence community opens their mouths....

...they reveal more and more of their incompetence and lack of imagination. It's very scary.

[prodigal_green]

9. It's not the intelligence community, it is the politicians

I'm close to a couple of analysts and they tell me the amount of forehead slapping that goes on every time the chimpministration does something like this guarantees that the makers of Advil will never go broke.

[apnu]

3. Good food for thought Underpants

This is the kind of "out of the box" thinking that we need, but is sorely missed in Washington DC.

[underpants]

5. Make your campaign contributions at

Just kidding-we are going to keep all those bones neatly in the closet where they are supposed to be. :bounce:

Seriously I find it odd that people didn't assume that this had already been looked into. Hell when the snipers were running around here (more North really) every "white minivan" was eyed with much contempt-it turned out they were in a blue sedan :eyes:

I still get weirded out a bit by rental trucks that sit too long in one spot.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. So, no one ever thought about.....

Nope. That's why all them gropenator movies and all them spy films "never" used helos nor limousines. They had to wait until the "intelligence" community invented it. Movies should be out next month. Get advanced tickets, there should be massive lines.

[underpants]

7. Excellent point

Very funny too. Nope never thought about it just those commie 'Murka haters in Hollywood :grr:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. Very funny too.

I'm trying to treat my anger at what is going on with a dash of humor... thanks for noticing. :)