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Well it is up again, the United States raised the Level of a possible terrorist attack to "high" http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1091369903535_69/?hub=TopStories
what do ya think, think it is a legitimate because they gave specific buildings and targets?
Sun. Aug. 1 2004 11:50 PM ET
U.S. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge makes the announcement
U.S. security level up to 'high' in some areas
CTV.ca News Staff
The U.S. threat risk level was raised for certain iconic financial targets in the wake of what's been called the most specific terror threat since 9/11.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced Sunday that the security alert level in some U.S. financial centres has been raised from "elevated" to "high."
According to the security level chart released by U.S. officials, a high level of security alert is characterized by the colour orange. Ridge specified that the alert level is to remain at yellow or "elevated," in the rest of the country.
"Reports indicate that al Qaeda is targeting several specific buildings," Ridge said. He added that actions to further secure these buildings are already underway.
The affected areas include the financial services industries in New York, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. Ridge specifically mentioned the following institutions:
Citicorp building (New York City)
The New York Stock Exchange
International Monetary Fund (Washington, D.C.)
World Bank (Washington, D.C.)
Prudential building (Newark, N.J.)
Ridge said he'd like to think that as sobering as the new information is, he hopes the people who work at the specifically-mentioned buildings would have the resolve to keep working and "leading their lives."
He said that although the announcement was "startling," it shouldn't be "stifling" to the American people.
Ridge said there was no time frame for the attacks, except that their aim would be to disrupt the American democratic process. American citizens are scheduled to vote in presidential elections on November 2.
Reports suggest the intelligence comes from an al Qaeda operative overseas. It is bolstered by intercepted communications and documents obtained by the CIA.
"The quality of this intelligence based on multiple reporting streams, in multiple locations, is rarely seen and it is alarming both in the amount and the specificity of the information," he said.
The terrorists had analyzed traffic patterns, security measures and the types of explosives needed to melt the steel of their intended targets.
"What is scaring people tonight is that a number of intelligence sources that come together in a consistent story going back over two years," said former counter-terrorism official Richard Clarke. "It's a consistent story that al Qaeda is alive and well."
He dismissed suggestions the warning was being given for political gain.
It appears that the security scare is linked to the July 19 arrest of a woman of Pakistani origin, who entered the U.S. from Mexico by crossing the Rio Grande and crawling through the fields. She had an altered passport, thousands of dollars in cash and a plane ticket to New York City.
In a press conference Sunday, New York City's mayor Michael Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to be vigilant in the face of the new threats, but also to go about their business.
"What they should do is get up tomorrow morning and go to work and enjoy the freedoms of New York," Bloomberg said. "I repeat, you should go about your business."
City officials said that those working at the named buildings will be protected. "We've done everything we possibly can to make these places safe for business tomorrow," said New York City Commissioner Raymond Kelly at the press conference.
Kelly said that heavily-armed special forces units, known as Hercules troops, will be deployed to the sites. He said that all traffic will be monitored, especially trucks and larger vehicles at key locations funneling into the city.
Bloomberg said that New York's landmarks and special events would receive increased protection. However, he warned police and security forces couldn't be everywhere.
"There's no question that there's a limited number of resources," he said. "But we will spend the money to do what has to be done."
In response to a reporter's question, Bloomberg said that politics had nothing to do with the terror level increase, in spite of recent criticisms of the Department of Homeland Security's timing of announcements.
"There's nothing political about this, as there is hard and fast information," the mayor said. "We would be derelict in our duty not to take this seriously."
New York's police department has advised building managers and corporate security officers to step up their procedures. They specifically mentioned safeguards against vehicles rigged with explosives and chemicals that could be placed in ventilation systems.
A few workers interviewed thought the news was "really scary," but one had this perspective: ""It's definitely worrisome, but you have to get up and do it."
what do ya think, think it is a legitimate because they gave specific buildings and targets?
Sun. Aug. 1 2004 11:50 PM ET
U.S. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge makes the announcement
U.S. security level up to 'high' in some areas
CTV.ca News Staff
The U.S. threat risk level was raised for certain iconic financial targets in the wake of what's been called the most specific terror threat since 9/11.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced Sunday that the security alert level in some U.S. financial centres has been raised from "elevated" to "high."
According to the security level chart released by U.S. officials, a high level of security alert is characterized by the colour orange. Ridge specified that the alert level is to remain at yellow or "elevated," in the rest of the country.
"Reports indicate that al Qaeda is targeting several specific buildings," Ridge said. He added that actions to further secure these buildings are already underway.
The affected areas include the financial services industries in New York, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. Ridge specifically mentioned the following institutions:
Citicorp building (New York City)
The New York Stock Exchange
International Monetary Fund (Washington, D.C.)
World Bank (Washington, D.C.)
Prudential building (Newark, N.J.)
Ridge said he'd like to think that as sobering as the new information is, he hopes the people who work at the specifically-mentioned buildings would have the resolve to keep working and "leading their lives."
He said that although the announcement was "startling," it shouldn't be "stifling" to the American people.
Ridge said there was no time frame for the attacks, except that their aim would be to disrupt the American democratic process. American citizens are scheduled to vote in presidential elections on November 2.
Reports suggest the intelligence comes from an al Qaeda operative overseas. It is bolstered by intercepted communications and documents obtained by the CIA.
"The quality of this intelligence based on multiple reporting streams, in multiple locations, is rarely seen and it is alarming both in the amount and the specificity of the information," he said.
The terrorists had analyzed traffic patterns, security measures and the types of explosives needed to melt the steel of their intended targets.
"What is scaring people tonight is that a number of intelligence sources that come together in a consistent story going back over two years," said former counter-terrorism official Richard Clarke. "It's a consistent story that al Qaeda is alive and well."
He dismissed suggestions the warning was being given for political gain.
It appears that the security scare is linked to the July 19 arrest of a woman of Pakistani origin, who entered the U.S. from Mexico by crossing the Rio Grande and crawling through the fields. She had an altered passport, thousands of dollars in cash and a plane ticket to New York City.
In a press conference Sunday, New York City's mayor Michael Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to be vigilant in the face of the new threats, but also to go about their business.
"What they should do is get up tomorrow morning and go to work and enjoy the freedoms of New York," Bloomberg said. "I repeat, you should go about your business."
City officials said that those working at the named buildings will be protected. "We've done everything we possibly can to make these places safe for business tomorrow," said New York City Commissioner Raymond Kelly at the press conference.
Kelly said that heavily-armed special forces units, known as Hercules troops, will be deployed to the sites. He said that all traffic will be monitored, especially trucks and larger vehicles at key locations funneling into the city.
Bloomberg said that New York's landmarks and special events would receive increased protection. However, he warned police and security forces couldn't be everywhere.
"There's no question that there's a limited number of resources," he said. "But we will spend the money to do what has to be done."
In response to a reporter's question, Bloomberg said that politics had nothing to do with the terror level increase, in spite of recent criticisms of the Department of Homeland Security's timing of announcements.
"There's nothing political about this, as there is hard and fast information," the mayor said. "We would be derelict in our duty not to take this seriously."
New York's police department has advised building managers and corporate security officers to step up their procedures. They specifically mentioned safeguards against vehicles rigged with explosives and chemicals that could be placed in ventilation systems.
A few workers interviewed thought the news was "really scary," but one had this perspective: ""It's definitely worrisome, but you have to get up and do it."
