Will al Qaeda try to influence the election?
In 2004 Osama bin Laden released a tape shortly before the elections bashing George Bush. The Bush campaign of course spun this as an endorsement of John Kerry by al Qaeda. CIA analysts, on the other hand, concluded that the tape was meant to help George Bush gain re-election. Now Richard Clarke, former counterterrorism advisor to the National Security Council, writes that al Qaeda may be ramping up attacks against the U.S. to influence this year’s election:
Given that history, what can we expect in the next month; will al Qaeda try to influence the 2008 U.S. presidential election? Some analysts saw the opening salvos of an al Qaeda campaign in the two attacks on American targets that came within three days of each other two weeks ago.
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They admit that there is nothing concrete that suggests another attack, but they fear that al Qaeda may try something, maybe even in the United States. The last National Intelligence Estimate on al Qaeda concluded that the group had reconstituted, was stronger than it had been in many years, was capable of staging attacks again, including probably in the United States. General Hayden has talked publicly about “European looking” al Qaeda terrorists who have been trained recently in Pakistan and sent back out into the world, presumably to stage attacks.
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At the very least, expect another Halloween video from the scary man in the cave.
Finally, at long last, I have something in common with Muhammad Ali.
No, I’m not the heavyweight champion of the world, but, like “the Greatest,” I have been a target of state police surveillance for activities—in my case, against the death penalty—that were legal, nonviolent and, so I assumed, constitutionally protected.
Sports As Battleground For Dissent: Dave Zirin talks about his new book A People’s History of Sports.
“She told me that the gas was sprayed into the room where the babies and children were being kept while their mothers prayed together their Ramadan prayers. Panicked mothers ran for their babies, crying for their children so they could flee from the gas that was burning their eyes and throats and lungs. She grabbed her youngest in her arms and grabbed the hand of her other daughter, moving with the others to exit the building and the irritating substance there.
“The paramedic said the young one was in shock, and gave her oxygen to help her breathe. The child couldn’t stop sobbing.
“This didn’t happen in some far away place — but right here in Dayton, and to my friends. Many of the Iraqi refugees were praying together at the Mosque Friday evening. People that I know and love.
“I am hurt and angry. I tell her this is NOT America. She tells me this is not Heaven or Hell — there are good and bad people everywhere.
But some parts of the country seem to have a disproportionate share of the bad people.
I Hate Banks - By Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper
I am a Scientist - Guided By Voices
What happens on Main St. affects Wall St.
Can you guess which one is actually going to happen?
McCain has a lot of experience with bank failures
You’re John McCain, a fallen hero who wanted to become president so desperately that you sold yourself to Charlie Keating, the wealthy con man who bears such an incredible resemblance to The Joker.
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The story of “the Keating Five” has become a scandal rivaling Teapot Dome and Watergate. The outcome will be decided, not in a courtroom, but probably on national television. Those who survive will be the sociopaths who can tell a lie with the most sincere, straight face. You are especially adept at this.
I, for one welcome our new wind powered overlords.
