[an0n]

Yeah, and look at the evidence against most of 'em:

There was one case where they took some doodles of planes in a day planner to be the schemings of the master terrorist. Apparently the incomprehensible scribble in the corner wasn't just someone getting the ink going, but was a crude sketch of Libya......

And then there's the evil bastards who were planning to attack dozens of tourist locations across some city in North America......that it to say: The FBI found a map with locations circled and took it to be a terrorist plot, when it had been left in the 'terrorist's' flat by an Australian backpacker who'd marked out his sight-seeing route on it.

[Gank]

Apparently the name Al-Quada came from a map that was used to plan cruise missile strikes after the african embassy bombings. It literaly means "the base".

[Gank]

A federal law enforcement official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, said the uncorroborated tip was received by the California Highway Patrol. The tipster claimed the men were awaiting a shipment of "nuclear oxide" that would follow them from Mexico to Boston, the source said.

What this latest "threat" is based on

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Gank
Apparently the name Al-Quada came from a map that was used to plan cruise missile strikes after the african embassy bombings. It literaly means "the base".

I thought it had been first used in bin Ladins (absentee) trial for the embassy bombings in March 2001; they needed to use the old anti-mob laws to convict him, and to do that they needed to construct an 'organsiation' of which bin Ladin was the head.

 One defector (on the run after embezelling from bin Ladin) gave them a description of an appropriate organization (and I think the name Al-Queda), and in return got asylum and a few hundred k.  Not that safety and money could have influenced him to give a useful testimony, of course.

Originally posted by an0n
Yeah, and look at the evidence against most of 'em:

There was one case where they took some doodles of planes in a day planner to be the schemings of the master terrorist. Apparently the incomprehensible scribble in the corner wasn't just someone getting the ink going, but was a crude sketch of Libya......

And then there's the evil bastards who were planning to attack dozens of tourist locations across some city in North America......that it to say: The FBI found a map with locations circled and took it to be a terrorist plot, when it had been left in the 'terrorist's' flat by an Australian backpacker who'd marked out his sight-seeing route on it.

Former was also drawn by the nutty former apartment dweller who beleived he was minister of defense for the middle east, and was found down the back of the sofa.

And you forgot the arab youths (I forget their nationality, I think mst were Yemeni) who were charged and IIRC convicted of 'planning to attack America'..... they had been caught playing paintball.

NB:  Watching 'power of nightmares' on bbc2 then?

[Gank]

The name was first used in November 98.

[an0n]

NB: Watching 'power of nightmares' on bbc2 then?

No......

[karajorma]

Originally posted by JR2000Z
Why does it matter if it's Chinese or not?

Cause if it is you'll want another attack half an hour later

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Gank
The name was first used in November 98.

My mistake.

Bin Ladins first use of it was after 9/11, wasn't it?  Didn't he deny involvement initially, as well?  (IIRC it was another guy who organised it, but he got some(?) funding from Bin Ladin)

[an0n]

Bin Laden was like the Terrorist Abbey National. He just gave funding and some training to anyone and everyone who looked like they might be good at stirring up a ****storm.

He never had anything to do with their group's planning or the implimentation of plots.

[Gank]

Originally posted by aldo_14
My mistake.

Could be mine too, but thats the earliest I can find any offical reference to it.

Originally posted by aldo_14
Bin Ladins first use of it was after 9/11, wasn't it?  Didn't he deny involvement initially, as well?  (IIRC it was another guy who organised it, but he got some(?) funding from Bin Ladin)

3 or 4 times, then a very poor quality tape was found where he claimed responsibility. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed planned the attacks and was captured 2 years ago, though hes never actually been charged with them.

[vyper]

They're probably civil rights workers or something

[Rictor]

Lets not forget the group of teenage friends (Arab of course) who took a trip to Disneyland and were promptly charged with terrorism for making a videotape of their trip. The Feds said that it was a reconaissance video, planning out potential targets for attack. The evidence? At one point, while standing in line for a ride, the camera points over to a trash-can for  about 2 seconds. Clearly, the trash-can was to be used as an integral part of the attacks against America.

and so forth....

[Ford Prefect]

A terrorist attack on one of America's hotbeds of liberalism....

Any terrorist who does that should be hung from a tree by his genitalia just for being an idiot.

[Bobboau]

yeah, AlQueda doesn't exsist, the first WTC atack, the cobar towers bombings, the cole atack, and the 9/11 atack never happened its all just an invention of the US government to alow them to make there corperate masters rich, that's it, that's a much more rational explanation than there being a loose aliance of religous zelots around the world.

[Gank]

They do exist, they just dont call themselves that. Kobar towers were Hez'bollah btw, who are in no way allied with Al-Qu'ida.

btw ever heard of vigilant guardian?

[Grey Wolf]

IIRC, they had a thing in the paper the other day about this. Apparently, the guy who "informed" about this attack had smuggled them across the border and wasn't paid....

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Bobboau
yeah, AlQueda doesn't exsist, the first WTC atack, the cobar towers bombings, the cole atack, and the 9/11 atack never happened its all just an invention of the US government to alow them to make there corperate masters rich, that's it, that's a much more rational explanation than there being a loose aliance of religous zelots around the world.

Multiple terrorist attacks do not equal a single SMERSH type organisation, yes.  Whilst we are told al-Queda is this all pervasive organisation of thousands of terrorists, I think that in reality you'd be looking at a number of small groups who secure funding from- but do not delegate operation control to - the likes of bin Laden.

Of course, the idea of Al-Queda as some single super-terrorist organisation is useful for both the terrorists (makes them sound scarier, gives them kudos and power to attract disaffected youth) and the politicians (a single enemy is an easy target and 'easier' to defeat, and also again allows the politics of fear).  It may have also acted as a catalyst for these organisations to co-operate more closely, of course.

[Bobboau]

I don't think anyone has said there is some massive monolithic block, it's like a franchise