Well! I am not one bit worried! There is nothing to worry about! Thank you FBI!

Homeschool your kids, the government is incompetent and no one is looking out for you or them.

Walk to school, kids. Much healthier.

You've got to be kidding me. This is a joke, right?

This is nothing to be concerned about. Sure, maybe kids are at risk, but at least the bus drivers aren't being profiled or denied entry into our country! That's so much worse than terrorism.

Foreigners under recent investigation include "some with ties to extremist groups" who have been able to "purchase buses and acquire licenses," the bulletin says.

Purchase buses?

In Florida, a 22 year old Saudi man in an overcoat boarded a high school bus and was removed and arrested. He claimed not to be able to speak English though he'd been in the country for six months ostensibly to study the language. His lawyer claimed it was a "cultural misunderstanding", whatever the hell that means.
I don't think it is a matter of homeschooling, Ev, so much as it is time for communities to take control of themselves and to hell with homeland security and the FBI. I no longer believe that the law enforcement agencies have the best interests of the people at heart, and since 1993 have only been interested in supporting the whims of whoever is currently in power.
People need to be in charge of their own security because it is at the local level where terrorism is thriving. We all need to be more watchful.

What lady red? The way the FBI is handling this?

He claimed not to be able to speak English though he'd been in the country for six months ostensibly to study the language.

Well, I don't see any necessary contradiction there -- six months is not a very long time for adult language acquisition, even if you're a much more diligent student than the stereotypical Saudi.

With this attitude, German espionage activities in the United States before World War II would have gone uninvestigated. As it really happened, the fascist FBI pretty much knew the entire German Espionage system in the U.S. before the war even started.

Then again, they were white Europeans, so I guess it was all right to investigate them.

The FBI knows that "foreign extremists" are purchasing school buses and acquiring licenses. They send a "cautionary bulletin" to local authorities (who have little or no expertise in counter-terrorism), yawn, scratch their balls, and go back to reading Newsweek.

At this point, I think the terrorists could drive a fleet of tanks through downtown Detroit, and the FBI would throw them a ticker tape parade.

True, but it seems that the excuse his lawyer gave was as cryptic as his actions. Not being able to speak English well after six months, isn't the same as not being able it at all. The use of the term Cultural misunderstanding begs more questions than it answers. Clearly this was a dry run for something else. There have been repeated dry runs on planes and busses, maybe even trains, and places we don't even yet know about.
What bothers me is the treatment by the FBI of the concerns that people have.

I know a lot of people are skeptical, and rightly so, when I describe for them the utter dysfunction of the USG and all its arms, but I think this story speaks for itself. Does the FBI sound here like a remotely serious entity to you? Or does it sound like a PC-ridden bureaucracy hounded by Diversity Uber Alles to the point of ridiculousness?

On the substance, the day they murder our children, Beslan-style, is the day I personally bring the war to them. And, no, I don't care who knows that.

They send a "cautionary bulletin" to local authorities (who have little or no expertise in counter-terrorism), yawn, scratch their balls, and go back to reading Newsweek.

I'm sorry, but this portrait you paint is totally unrealistic. I am not convinced the FBI has the manly vigor required to scratch their balls. In fact, it would be difficult to convince me that the FBI have balls at all.

Also, that's being rather generous, assuming that the FBI can read.

Thanks. That is what I thought you were referring to.

there are no threats, no plots and no history leading us to believe there is any reason for concern,"

B_ s _ _ n. ?? Nope, nothing happened there.

The FBI speaks at CAIR fundraisers and its high officials refer to CAIR as a member of the FBI "family" and a "partner".

That FBI is not going to protect us from jihadi violence. We'll have to do that ourselves, and I have no doubt that millions of average Americans will do just that when push comes to shove, as they proved brilliantly on United 93.

"And today children we have some special guests....militants created by the Bush junta and his flawed imperialistic ambitions......let's listen...

I wonder if parents will start pulling their children off of school buses in numbers that will actually make a statement.

Are you serious? Why aren't there more howls of rage? That is unsupportable.

I really want to read OSC's Empire. Some kind of domestic disturbance is looking increasingly possible. If Beslan 2 happens on US soil I wouldn't want to be even vaguely Muslim looking anywhere in the vicinity.

The one question it raises for me is, "was the schoolbus in question a standard YELLOW schoolbus?" If the answer to that question is "No," -- if it didn't look like a typical American schoolbus, because it was a charter bus for a private school, or something -- then it's plausible that someone with poor English skills could've boarded it in the mistaken belief that it was public transit. But if it was a big yellow bus, there's no way that someone who'd been in the country for six months already could fail to know what it was.

Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the government has no credible information to suggest terrorists are "involved in buying school buses or seeking licenses to drive them." He said there was no indication of any immediate threat to the country.

Hmmm, what was that that I read just a second earlier???

It noted "recent suspicious activity" by foreigners who either drive school buses or are licensed to drive them, according to a counterterror official who read parts of the document to The Associated Press.

Foreigners under recent investigation include "some with ties to extremist groups" who have been able to "purchase buses and acquire licenses," the bulletin says.

Trillian -

Are you serious? Why aren't there more howls of rage?

I am, sadly. I was ranting about this a few weeks ago..let me find it....

From a report from Daniel Pipes in November, 2006 (emphasis mine):

On November 18, 2006, the Council on American-Islamic Relations held its annual southern California banquet at the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim with the theme "American Muslims: Connecting and Sharing." One of the nearly 2,000 guests sent me a report on the event.

Booths present outside of the banquet room included In Focus; Islamic Relief; Muslim American Society; MPAC and CAIR.

J. Steven Tidwell, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles, said he was grateful to CAIR and considers CAIR a family member in the attempt to build bridges.

Judy Chu of California State Assembly said that when she was first elected to the State Assembly in 2001, she wanted to be on the Select Committee on Hate Crimes. She felt this was especially important in the wake of 9/11. She said: "Thank goodness CAIR was there." She worked with CAIR to prosecute hate crimes. She said that these are difficult times in America, but with CAIR's help we will be okay.

A brief video, "The Faces of CAIR," told about the staff in CAIR's Anaheim office.

Fouad Khatib announced the opening of a fourth CAIR office in California in San Diego. (The others are in Los Angeles/Orange County, San Francisco and Sacramento.) After 9/11, CAIR did not weaken, he went on, but stood strong against terrorism. He then gave examples – such as being co-plaintiff with the ACLU in a law suit against the government for warrantless wiretapping – showing how CAIR forwarded civil rights issues. Khatib also raised the term Islamo-fascist, insisting CAIR would never accept such language. He concluded by promoting the idea of American Muslims serving as a bridge between Muslim countries and the United States.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR in Los Angeles since 1997, thanked Allah and CAIR's members and supporters. He noted that anti-Muslim acts and words have skyrocketed since 9/11. CAIR fights these as a member of the Muslim Homeland Security Congress and working with the Los Angeles sheriff's office. CAIR works with the media, especially small town media. It provides one-stop shopping for the media. References to Ramadan are in the newspapers thanks to CAIR. CAIR representatives are available 24/7.

Another video followed, showing how CAIR works on civil rights complaints.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj thanked Allah for CAIR being here. He said that we have just seen a major shift in the United States with the victory of the Democratic Party. He spoke of Jackie Robinson and how Robinson was a trail blazer in sports. He then referred to Keith Ellison as a trail blazer for Muslims. He said that CAIR is a bridge. He referenced Paul Sperry's Infiltration and claimed to be proud of the unfavorable references to CAIR and to himself in the book. He read a verse from the Koran and referenced Keith Ellison again. He aid that African Americans cannot hide their skin color, but Muslims can hide their faith. Thanks to CAIR they no longer have to.

Wahhaj then began fundraising. He said he had $1,000 in his pocket and referred to it as a share in CAIR. He said he wanted to sell 500 shares to raise a total of $500,000. He asked for a donation of $50,000. No one spoke up. The largest donation was $35,000. There was a donation of $25,000, one of $12,000 and three of $10,000. The total take was over $400,000.

When the FBI shows up and says to CAIR, "we consider you a family member", that means that *I* am being told I am not.

I believe the FBI and I believe they are serious. We all need to start drawing the necessary conclusion.


From a cached web-press release by CAIR-Maryland:

The Council on American-Islamic Relations Maryland-Virginia office would like to thank the Muslim community, friends, and well-wishers who gathered this past Saturday and helped make 2004 annual fundraising banquet a roaring success. CAIR Maryland-Virginia said some 650 people were present at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland. The fundraising dinner topped CAIR Maryland-Virginia's fundraising goal of $250,000.

At the dinner, Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X, presented the first Malcolm X award to Muhammad Ali. Presidential candidate Ralph Nader encouraged American Muslims to continue challenging bigotry and to support civil liberties. Representatives of the John Kerry presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee also spoke on behalf of John Kerry.

Many comments were made on the 2004 elections, “the Muslim vote should not be taken for granted,” said Rizwan Mowlana, Executive Director of CAIR Maryland-Virginia, “every Muslim vote should be earned by the candidate.”

CAIR Maryland-Virginia was awarded citations of excellence from Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich and Congressman Chris Van Hollen. Ms. Sally Grant, Chair of the Maryland Board of Governors announced the appointment of CAIR Maryland-Virginia’s Executive Director to serve on the ACLU of Maryland’s Board.

Attendees included state senators, delegates, and councilmember’s from both Maryland and Virginia. Also present were representatives from a number of Congressman and Senators along with the FBI.

CAIR Maryland-Virginia attributed much of their success to their coalition and took time to recognize representatives from Progressive Maryland, ACLU of Maryland, NAACP, CASA of Maryland, and SMART.

My point then was:

It could not be any plainer. CAIR can go on the news and look you right in the eye and claim with 100% justification that it is THEY and not YOU who is the voice of mainstream America. And they would be right to do so.

Which is why I have resigned from both the mainstream and America.

Apparently a regular school bus. And not just one person, two got on the bus to 'go and see the school.'

2 Saudi School Bus Riders Out Of Jail

(AP) Two Saudi men detained after boarding a school bus full of students were released from jail Tuesday after federal officials determined they do not pose a security threat.

Through an interpreter, Mana Saleh Almanajam, 23, and Shaker Mohsen Alsidran, 20, told investigators that they got on the bus Friday morning because they wanted to visit the school and did not know it was just for students.

At the time, the men gave conflicting reasons why they boarded the bus bound for Wharton High School. But detectives later determined they meant no harm, and immigration agents found that they were here legally.

The two men arrived in the country six months ago on student visas and are enrolled at the English Language Institute at the University of South Florida, officials said.

Investigators said they boarded the school bus Friday, sat down and began speaking in Arabic. Their behavior concerned the driver, a substitute, who alerted the school district.

They were charged with misdemeanor trespassing and were jailed after a judge said Saturday she wanted more background information on them. They were released Tuesday on their promise to return to court later.

Yes, the FBI is frequently incompetent, woefully unprepared to fight terrorism and far too enamoured with jihadists like CAIR to do much good.

But.

What exactly do you think would happen if the Feds said, "yeah, terrorists are driving your kids to school and, yes, it is possible they're planning to cut their heads off on tape, but we're not really sure"? Those funny yellow buses would be empty the next day.

In the context of a functioning, effective anti-terrorism agency, this denial would be acceptable - because we could assume that, quietly, suspect persons would be fired, deported, whatever, just kept the hell away from large numbers of children.

Alas, this is the FBI and the most sensible thing they've done about this issue is release this statement. Chances are it is the only thing they'll do.

In the light of the most recent revelations about the Bosnian who shot up the Salt Lake City Mall, how can anyone be surprised at anything the government does/doesn't do to effectively relate the problem?

What revelations, afw? Last I heard, his father thought someone had put him up to it, and the gov't were stumped.

Matt, hold on. I'll have hubby get links for it. The stuff is very circumstantial, but has the *ding ding* alarm bells for certain patterns of behavior.

In the context of a functioning, effective anti-terrorism agency, this denial would be acceptable - because we could assume that, quietly, suspect persons would be fired, deported, whatever, just kept the hell away from large numbers of children.

I vote for whatever.

Thanks, afw. No rush.

solus rex, yep, I hoped someone would pick up on that.

Here's an interview with the girlfriend.

Several of the things the girlfriend mentioned set some dull ringing up for hubby.

1) She claims he had few friends.
2) And yet he regularly attended mosque.
3) His favorite movie was Malcom X
4) He was a high school drop out with few prospects.

Second article refutes several of the things his girlfriend said.
1) He did indeed have a problem with violence and fascination with weapons.
2) His father thought "somebody" pushed him to it

Finally, I can't vouch for this website, but it puts other things together. Militant Islam Monitor

Even if only a few of the things they mention are correct, it warrants a much closer look. I would start with his mosque, which denied Suleiman attended services until his family stated that he did, indeed.

You watch: one of these idiots will go too far and kill some more Americans and the FBI and the USG will rush to mosques and podiums warning Americans from "taking the law into their own hands".....

No, wait...that already happened didn't it?

The problem is, even for those few Americans paying attention, the full scope of the failure of the USG across the board is just so unthinkable that it is simply not thought, no matter what the evidence.

More than once I've made a list of incidents in the US to show to people, and they didn't remember ANY of them until I jogged their memory!

And then the cognitive dissonance sets in, and they are SURE that "it's not the way it sounds."

God FORBID something cause them to miss an episode of American Idol!

afw,

Thanks, that's interesting. White gun-fetishist loner, jihad style?

White gun-fetishist loner, jihad style?

Except that skin color isn't an issue when it comes to Islamic terror.

Sort of off topic, did you ever get a chance to see Sleeper Cell, Matt?

I'm still waiting for Amazon to deliver our copies of both seasons.

Standard yellow bus with the school district's name on the sides. Not a mini van. One of the things the man tried to say was that he didn't know it was a school bus. He boarded with a group of other students, which is how he got on in the first place.

Did you see the CBS show Criminal Minds with Mandy Patinkin this week?
It showed actual islamic terrorism, even using the sort of language that Bin Laden used to justify it, but then, Patinkin's character starts the standard blathering PC Points about perverting a religion of tolerance and peace...which has become almost comically mantralike...but hell, with a name like Mandy, what can you expect from a guy these days.

#34 afw

Sort of off topic, did you ever get a chance to see Sleeper Cell, Matt?

Yes, I saw season 1. I actually watched the repeats, too. It is superb stuff. It does hit some of the more important PC buttons, but it doesn't suffer as a result. So long as you accept that a Muslim can genuinely believe that his religion is not aggressive or violent, chances are it won't annoy you - certainly not enough to interfere with the enjoying the show.

Excellent acting (better than 24), believable scenarios (unlike 24), accurate tradecraft (unlike 24), etc.

I'm waiting for season 2 to arrive on DVD. Amazon reckons I'll have it in the first half of April.

Except that skin color isn't an issue when it comes to Islamic terror.

Which reminds me of one thing that might strike you about Sleeper Cell. It doesn't give anything away to say this: the cell has six members, of whom two are Arab, three are white European and one is black. At first it pissed me off. Cells are often ethnically uniform, due to members knowing each other from the same mosque and/or community. But the lesson - that jihad knows no skin colour - is an important one.

You'll like the parents of the blond American guy. Or at least recognise the very un-PC stereotype.

Since I'm talking TV, The Wire. The Wire, The Wire, The frickin' Wire. Best thing on TV ever.