New Al Qaeda Web Ad Threatens 'Big Surprise'

[Jag]

August 01, 2007 7:34 PM
Rhonda Schwartz Reports:

A new al Qaeda propaganda ad, headlined "Wait for the Big Surprise" and featuring a digitally altered photograph of President George Bush and Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf standing in front of a burning White House, was posted on the Internet today.

The brief clip from al Qaeda's "as Sahab" propaganda arm juxtaposes the doctored photo of Bush and Musharraf along with previously seen images of al Qaeda's top leadership -- Osama bin Laden, Ayman al Zawahri and Adam Gadahn -- as well as a photo of an SUV in a motorcade.

There is no additional information provided in the ad, and it closes with the words, "Soon -- God willing," written across the screen and repeated several times.

See the Al Qaeda Web Ad Captured by ABC News

Following the recent failed London-Glasgow terror plot, U.S. intelligence officials have been paying closer attention to the now frequent propaganda releases from as Sahab, studying the videos for hidden clues or signals.

The full video is expected to be released on the Web in the next 24 to 48 hours.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/...-qaeda-we.html

Jag

[American Patriot]

Propaganda is just that. It usually doesn't contain a real message, just lies or material to sway one's thinking.

"Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist." Source: Garth S. Jowett and Victoria O'Donnell, Propaganda And Persuasion, 4th edition, 2006.


In other words, they are simply "Terrorizing" us. Why pay attention to it?

[Jag]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...080202496.html

U.S. CAPITOL

Police Increase Alertness Level

Propaganda Video Raises Concern, but No Specific Threat Seen


By Mary Beth Sheridan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 3, 2007; Page B02


The U.S. Capitol Police have stepped up their vigilance recently because of increased concern about a terrorist attack on the United States, but officials said yesterday there is no specific information pointing to a threat to Congress.

"There's a lot of different chatter out there. The problem everybody has is, what's real and what isn't," said Terrance W. Gainer, the Senate sergeant-at-arms, who helps oversee the Capitol Police.

Fresh concerns had been raised, Gainer said, by an alleged al-Qaeda propaganda ad labeled "Wait for the Big Surprise" showing a doctored picture of President Bush and Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, in front of a White House in flames.

"We just say, okay, do we need to resharpen our swords? That's what we're doing," Gainer said. He declined to provide specifics but said officers were not working overtime or extra shifts.

Roll Call reported yesterday afternoon that Capitol Police had beefed up their presence in response to intelligence indicating a greater possibility of an al-Qaeda attack on the Capitol between now and Sept. 11.

The Roll Call article cited an unidentified Capitol Police source and quoted Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), ranking minority member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, as saying that "the leaders of the committees of jurisdiction have been briefed on threats to the Capitol."

Rep. Robert A. Brady (D-Pa.), chairman of the House Administration Committee, which oversees the Capitol Police, told The Washington Post that he had received no briefings of any threats beyond a "generic" BlackBerry message from the House sergeant-at-arms urging legislators to remain vigilant.

Officials with major federal law-enforcement agencies said they had no indication of any impending plan to attack the Capitol.

"There continues to be no credible or specific information suggesting an imminent threat to the homeland at this time . . . that would include the Capitol," said Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.

Federal officials have expressed heightened worry recently about a possible terrorist attack while stressing that they have no concrete information about one.
Knocke noted the recent history of spring and summer attacks in Europe, including the Madrid train bombings in March 2004, London transit attacks in July 2005 and this June's failed car bombing attempts in London and Glasgow, Scotland. He also cited increased terrorist activity overseas, including western Pakistan, "roughly a dozen messages" by al-Qaeda leaders, including Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the recent propaganda video.

In combination, the developments give DHS officials "reason to believe that we are in a period of increased risk," Knocke said. "That does not mean there is a credible and specific threat."

The FBI has deemed the Web page showing the supposed al-Qaeda video to be of dubious credibility.

"We know al-Qaeda is intent on going after the symbols of our government, but we can't point to a specific threat," said a U.S. official familiar with intelligence reports.

Capitol Police Chief Phillip D. Morse did not respond to a request for an interview. His spokeswoman, Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, said the Capitol Police "always remain vigilant." She declined to discuss any security changes, saying such information was "for official use only."

The e-mail message that was sent to House members and staff last Friday encouraged them "to maintain increased vigilance" and to display their badges while in congressional buildings, according to a copy obtained by The Post.

"Based on public reports it is widely known that the Capitol complex remains a target of interest for terrorist organizations," said the message from the House sergeant-at-arms, Wilson Livingood.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said Livingood told her yesterday evening that "there is no specific threat to the Capitol."

Congress is scheduled to be away for most of August on summer break.

Jag

[Jag]

I know you don't like this crap Rick but this traitor is putting out a lot of warnings, so here goes......

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=4482

DEBKAfile Exclusive: New Al Qaeda threat of radioactive truck attacks naming New York, Los Angeles, Miami

August 10, 2007, 1:11 AM (GMT+02:00)


The threat was picked up by DEBKAfile’s monitors from a rush of electronic chatter on al Qaeda sites Thursday, Aug. 8.

The al Qaeda communications accuse the Americans of the grave error of failing to take seriously the videotape released by the American al Qaeda spokesman Adam Gaddahn last week. “They will soon realize their mistake when American cities are hit by quality operations,” said one message.

Another said the attacks would be carried out “by means of trucks loaded with radio-active material against America’s biggest city and financial nerve center.”

A third message mentioned New York, Los Angeles and Miami as targets. It drew the answer: “The attack, with Allah’s help, will cause an economic meltdown, many dead, and a financial crisis on a scale that compels the United States to pull its military forces out of many parts of the world, including Iraq, for lack of any other way of cutting down costs.”

There is also a message which speaks obliquely of the approaching attacks easing the heavy pressure America exerts on countries like Japan, Cuba and Venezuela.

DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources and monitors say there is no way of gauging for sure how serious these threats are, how real, or whether they are part of a war of nerves to give the Gaddahn tape extra mileage. But it is important to note that the exchange of messages took place over al Qaeda’s internal Internet sites and that they contained the threat of radioactive terror and specific American cities for the first time after a long silence on these subjects.

In addition, a growing number of clips has been disseminated of late over al Qaeda sites instructing the faithful how to design remote-controlled gliders, pack them with explosives and launch them against predetermined targets.

Jag

[American Patriot]

I know you don't like this crap Rick but this traitor is putting out a lot of warnings, so here goes......

Don't like what crap?

If you're referring to my comments:

In other words, they are simply "Terrorizing" us. Why pay attention to it?

I think you might have misunderstood.... haha.

It was more of a rhetorical question that anything. But, it had a serious side. We all know what propaganda is, and the government certainly knows and knows how to use it. There are experts out there (mostly they are called politicians....) who understand it's use and can counter it.

My real question is "if it is REALLY just propaganda then WHY are we paying such close attention to it"?

I THINK the answer to this lies in other things I've been hearing on several fronts, including people who are experts in the field of intelligence saying things about the "level of chatter" is as high, if not HIGHER than it was just prior to 9-11.

No, Jag, I wasn't putting down people for posting the material, I was questioning "Why" it is so important, and I think it IS important.

Rick

[Jag]

Thanks for clearing it up for me Rick.....

"Unverified" Terror Threat Prompts NYPD Caution

August 10, 2007 11:31 PM
Richard Esposito Reports:

Despite its apparent unreliability, an Internet report of a possible terrorist attack on New York City published by a private, Israel-based counterterrorism Web site has prompted police to increase deployment of sensors around Manhattan, officials said Friday night.

New York Deputy Police Commissioner Paul J. Browne stressed that the threat was "unverified" and that its increased vigilance was "strictly precautionary."

The FBI and DHS confirmed they have "no credible information" of a specific, imminent threat to New York City, although they cautioned that "al Qaeda remains intent on attacking the West, especially the United States." A DHS official said this latest report was believed to be part of an al Qaeda propaganda campaign, and he expected to see more of such reports in the days approaching the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The alleged al Qaeda threats were reported on the DEBKAFile Web site Friday, which the NYPD characterized as "often unreliable." Based on "a rush of electronic chatter on al Qaeda sites," the site reported an alleged al Qaeda threat naming New York, Miami and Los Angeles as potential targets of an attack.

One alleged al Qaeda Internet post noted by DEBKAFile said attacks would be carried out "by means of trucks loaded with radioactive material" in "America's biggest city and financial nerve center."

The likelihood of an actual imminent threat is slim to none, multiple intelligence sources say. Nonetheless, New York counterterror and emergency services increased their presence on Manhattan streets. The resulting calls from media, a spike in police scanner traffic, and the rapid spread of rumors prompted the police to issue a statement.

The NYPD announced it had "increased deployment of radiological sensors" on police cars, boats, helicopters and personnel, and set up vehicle checkpoints around the city.

There have been no reports of increased police measures in Miami or Los Angeles.


Whether it's related or not CNN is reporting tonight (Aug. 11) of a complete computer shutdown at LAX..breaking news
Jag