Lowcountry terror case deepens
Mohamed reportedly admits being voice on video showing how to construct detonator
Provided
Youssef Megahed, left, and Ahmed Mohamed.
Mohamed reportedly admits being voice on video showing how to construct detonator
The evidence
Items confiscated from the car carrying Youssef Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed, who were arrested in Goose Creek on Aug. 4 and charged with violating explosives laws:
Three pieces of PVC piping that were filled with a mixture of potassium nitrate, corn syrup and cat box litter.
An electric drill, a box of .22-caliber cartridges, a five-gallon container partially filled with gasoline and 23 feet of safety fuse.
A federal prosecutor said Friday that a laptop computer found in a car stopped in Goose Creek while carrying explosives contained video of the driver demonstrating how to turn a radio-controlled car into a remote-control detonator.
Ahmed Mohamed has admitted that he is the person heard explaining on the video that such a detonator could "save one who wants to be a martyr for another battle," federal prosecutor Jay Hoffer said in a Florida courtroom, according to a report on tampabay.com by The St. Petersburg Times.
Hoffer also told a judge that the computer had been used to visit Web sites about "rifles, weaponry, about the conflict in the Middle East, jihadists."
Mohamed, 26, and Youssef Megahed, 21, both Egyptian students at the University of South Florida in Tampa, were arrested in Goose Creek on Aug. 4 and indicted Aug. 31 on federal charges of transporting explosives across state lines. Mohamed also faces terrorism-related charges on suspicion of demonstrating how to use the explosives.
The explosives found in the car were described as sections of PVC pipe, the sort used for plumbing, filled with what Hoffer called a "potassium nitrate explosive mixture."
The federal case began with a traffic stop for speeding.
A Berkeley County deputy stopped the two men while they were driving on U.S. Highway 176 near Myers Road. They allowed the deputy to search their Toyota Camry and told him there were fireworks in the trunk, but when the deputy saw what looked like pipe bombs, authorities closed the road for several hours and called the bomb squad.
Goose Creek is home to the Naval Weapons Station, which houses the U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig, a military prison where enemy combatants have been held.
The day after the two men were arrested for carrying explosive devices, FBI spokesman Richard Kolko told the Reuters news agency that no terrorism link had been identified.
"We don't think there's that much to it," Kolko told Reuters. "They had some materials to make some pretty good-sized homemade fireworks but not bomb stuff."
A detailed inventory of what was in the car was presented in court Friday at a detention hearing for Megahed. Hoffer acknowledged authorities have established no motive but called Megahed "a significant danger to the community."
Hoffer said South Carolina authorities found three pieces of piping, cut into small sections, in the trunk of the car, each filled with a mixture of potassium nitrate, corn syrup and cat box litter.
Also found in the car were 20 feet of fuse, a box of .22-caliber ammunition, a drill that could have been used to "perhaps insert a fuse" into the explosive devices and a partially filled 5-gallon gasoline container, Hoffer said.
The car was registered to Megahed's brother, and was being driven by Mohamed.
Hoffer said Megahed denied knowing any of the materials were in the vehicle, but in a secretly recorded conversation between Megahed and Mohamed while they were in the back of a patrol car during their arrest, Hoffer said Megahed "asked Mr. Mohamed pointedly, 'What did you tell them about the gas canister?' "
Ahmed Bedier, executive director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights organization for Muslims that has been speaking for Megahed's family, described Megahed and Mohamed in August as "really naive kids" and said family members told him the explosives were likely leftover fireworks from the Fourth of July. Bedier did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.
Potassium nitrate, cat box litter, PVC tubes, and fuse materials are often are used in homemade bottle rockets. Hundreds of Web sites, including YouTube.com, have instructions on how to make and launch them.
On one Web site, fireworks expert John Werner explains the detailed steps to make such rockets, says they are "cheap and relatively safe to work with," and that "there is nothing more impressive than hearing and seeing a well made black powder sky rocket take off with its distinctive sound and long gold charcoal tail."
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Jenkins called the evidence against Megahed "strong," but added, "I would not characterize it as overwhelming. We don't really have any evidence with regard to intent or motive."
However, she agreed with the government that Megahed posed a danger to the community.
"No question about that given what was found in the car," Jenkins said.
Jenkins ruled that Megahed might be released from custody on $200,000 bond, subject to 24-hour electronic monitoring and a long list of conditions. In order for him to be released, Jenkins ruled that Megahed and his entire immediate family must surrender their passports, Megahed may have no access to the Internet and his family must relinquish their Fourth Amendment rights to allow authorities to search their home at any time, for any reason.
The government immediately appealed, which means Megahed will remain in custody, according to tampabay.com's report.
Megahed's public defender, Adam Allen, had argued for release on $50,000 bond, noting his client had "zero criminal history" and had lived a "completely law- abiding life."
"He's a respected young man," Allen told the judge.
Megahed is an Egyptian-born permanent U.S. resident who lives in Tampa with his family. He is an undergraduate student studying engineering.
Mohamed, also from Egypt, is a civil engineering graduate student and is in the country on a student visa. He remained in federal custody after waiving his right to bail.
Lionel Lofton, who represents Mohamed, said he met with federal prosecutors late Thursday, and they told him what was found in the car during the traffic stop. He said he still has not seen the FBI report.
Lofton described the three PVC pipes authorities found as "three big firecrackers or Roman candles" and said: "I think they have made more out of this case than it really is."
Officials in the greater Charleston area said Friday that the details now becoming public show that local police handled the case appropriately.
"We followed Homeland Security procedures to a 'T' and I think this is one of those situations that it paid off," said Berkeley County Chief Deputy Sheriff Butch Henerey.
Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said none of the contents of the trunk that were revealed Friday were new to her. The challenge for law enforcement, she said, was that it took time to determine exactly what the men had.
"It has been difficult for our office and the local authorities because there has been so much speculation," she said. "But in situations, especially those that involve national security, we have to be quiet and let the investigation run its course. That is what we have done."
Wilson commended the deputy, Lamar Blakely, who made the traffic stop that led to the arrests.
"I hope that the community has seen, too, that officers, when they are in these situations, have to make decisions on the spot and under pressure," Wilson said. "Certainly the officer had probable cause, and he made the right decision."
Tony Bartleme, James Scott, Nita Birmingham and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@ postandcourier.com.
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Comments
billyoblog (anonymous) says...
"What did you tell them about the gas canister?" Or the box of ammo? And how about that "save one who wants to be a martyr for another battle" comment? Jihadi websites, weapons websites, sorry folks, these guys weren't just building bottle rockets. They're dirty.
The guys that carried out the attacks on 911 didn't just 'like to fly'......
September 15, 2007 at 1:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillyTheKid32 (anonymous) says...
I was so wrong on this. Please don't keep me from posting again.
I give them the benifit of a doubt to the end, this is the end. Except maybe if a blue comet comes from the south, on a monday, while it is rainin and we all see cow's fly, I may get off the hook, but until then I am wrong.
I am not happy with Bush.
September 15, 2007 at 3:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
teeitup (anonymous) says...
What does Bush have to do with this? Is he involved? I missed that part of the story.
September 15, 2007 at 6:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skeeter (anonymous) says...
And the plot thickens! If you hear the words explosives,jhiad and martyr in the same breath what do you come up with? It doesn't take a bottle rocket scientist to come up with that answer.
September 15, 2007 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
way to man up BillyTheKid
and everyone's still mad at Pres Bush for not teaching them the proper way to build bottle rockets
yo Father3 peacennolove and others that were on their side of the fence do you still believe they were innocent and it was just racial profiling??
again, good job BCSO, Cpl.Blakely in particular
and good morning everyone
September 15, 2007 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
Get out if you want Sharia law, Australia tells Muslims
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default....
too bad our politicians don't have the testicular fortitude to say this, I'd take a guess and say atleast 91% of us agree with it
September 15, 2007 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dog (anonymous) says...
Thank you for doing your job deputy!
September 15, 2007 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
Again, my congratulations to BCSO for a job well done.
I can't beleive some idiotic federal judge actually gave one of these terrorists bail. What's it going to take another brick wall to fall on his head before he understands the dangers we face.
As I said last night, that's 2 down and plenty more to go. How many of you scum sucking terrorists are left. Ask CAIR.
September 15, 2007 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjmehlhose (anonymous) says...
CAIR has been confirmed to have terrorist ties. Why doesn't our government shut them down??? These guys were obviously planning to do something significant. Doesn't anybody get it! Muslims as a whole have declared war on us. We should be sending them back to where they came from, and if they were born here, we should set up camps in the desert of Arizona and keep them ALL in a safe place where they can be isolated from real, patriotic Americans. Do we need another 911 to wake us up? Wasn't the first 911 enough of a wake up call? They've already attacked us with more loss of life than Pearl Harbor!!!
September 15, 2007 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
billyoblog (anonymous) says...
Harpo,
Are you with the ACLU........or CAIR ? Of course you don't need to determine what the target was. Do the police need to tell you who or what your going to hit when you're arrested for drunk driving? Do the police need to tell you who you were going to shoot when you're arrested for an illegal gun in the car?
The items they had are ILLEGAL. If they weren't, they wouldn't be held on FEDERAL charges. What part of that don't you get? Now, in ADDITION to that, when you factor in, as Paul Harvey would say, the REST of the story, a logical ASSUMPTION could be made that they were up to no good.
You wouldn't know a jihadi if he were in your kitchen rifling through your knife drawer.
September 15, 2007 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ontherighthand (anonymous) says...
Harpo, are you blind? Did you not read the articles that say WHERE these two were arrested? They were Red Bank Road. Anyone out there know where Red Bank Road leads too? MMmmmmm.. Let us think... Oh, yea.. The Naval Weapons Station! How's that for a establishing a target.
Good job, Berkeley County. Well done.
September 15, 2007 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
Ontherighthand and billyoblog///
You guys got it wrong. Harpo's in favor of the arrest and detention of these two. Read his posts again.
September 15, 2007 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
Ive seen harpo post before on this.im sure it was meant that it was good for them to get locked up ect.however im glad these two got caught.good job by the sheriff's office.but there is a a certain someone whom hasnt{steph---}posted to proclaim the innocence of these terrorists.must be to much evidence to argue now.
September 15, 2007 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bjjmom (anonymous) says...
I really decided to wait until we had all the evidence in before making a judgement. I feel like we have enough evidence now. This is very frightening. I have also been listening to Glenn beck this week. He has been discussing how the next terrorist attack will more than likely be against our own children and in our public schools. There are 17 busses missong in texas. This is all very scary.
September 15, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
tripsa,.
I think you're right. This was a dry run, practice. The tape about the remote control is very telling. I guess some of these martyrs are willing to postpone their virgins as long as they can keep killing Americans.
Australia has it right. If you want Sharia law, then leave. If you won't leave voluntarily, we'll find a way to deport you. Wake up America. Give them what they, just make sure it's somewhere else, not here.
September 15, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
billyoblog (anonymous) says...
Harpo,
Sorry for the mis-interpretation. I read your comment as being sarcastic. After re-reading it I now see the context in which it was meant. Glad we're on the same side on this.
September 15, 2007 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ontherighthand (anonymous) says...
Harpo, misread what you said. Sorry about that.
September 15, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I commented last night that it was very smart to have recorded their conversation in the patrol car.
After reading about how these people operate I have to wonder if they were only carrying part of the load, and were they possibly meeting up with someone else?
If this were to be the situation then one would have to wonder where are the others?
I find this very disturbing to say the least.
September 15, 2007 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pols101 (anonymous) says...
I don't know what to think about it. Their methods and nomenclature does not fit the profile. I think they are just "want-a-be" terrorist. These want-a-be ones hurt lots of people. They need to be put away for life. The problem is they are guilty of possession only. They may get out on parole in just a few months IF found guilty. If they can prove he was training people to make bombs then of course he will do more time.
I want to know WHAT YOU THINK.
Do any of you support Bush's idea of putting these guys away in Cuba for good without trial or maybe with a military trial; knowing all of these facts and since they were caught in our "backyard" with these pipe bombs? Remember they will not get much of a sentence because they were caught before they hurt anyone. I VALUE YOUR OPINION ON THESE ISSUES!
September 15, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
juniemoon1957 (anonymous) says...
Harpo, I got what you meant from reading your post in the past. Again, thanks Officer Blakely for a job well done. It's officers like you that need to be on the street. Keep up the good work. Wish you were my neighbor. As far as the Megawad towelhead idiots, they need to be deported. Either you are with us, or against us. If you are not going to be part of our country, get out. Stay out.
September 15, 2007 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ontherighthand (anonymous) says...
Pols101:
Yes, I think they should be held as military prisoners and tried by the military. They might not have carried out the act, but "conspiracy" to committ such an act is just as serious a crime. The acts for which they were armed can be viewed as "acts of war". Of course, that part still has to be proved beyond a doubt because thats how our legal system works. I just don't think a civilian court will be able to put them away the way they need to be.
September 15, 2007 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
Pols I think this was a dry run just as others do
and yes if we have another attack on our land then I think they need a mandatory round up of ALL muslims in this country and either remove them immediately or put them in the middle of a highly secure camp in the desert until we can sort out who is who and with what intent
I commend the Australian government for addressing this as strongly as they are, too bad our leaders are too weak to do the same ... CAIR should be kicked out of this country immediately
and the far eastern musilms in our prisons should be seperated from the disgruntled ill informed and easily persuaded black population
I don't agree with religious rights or any other rights if you're a felon in prison, you have lost your rights once you have been convicted of taking innocent peoples rights to live freely without harm in this country
you want your religion go pray in your cell corner, but as far as having us pay for a place for you to gather to vow harm against us in the name of religion that also needs to be stopped immediately
our government needs to get a little more serious about this
and obvioulsy the guy with the fully auto AK was testing the waters for others or there would have been several dead cops trying to use a taser instead of just shooting him in place with a real pistol
September 15, 2007 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
btw the guy in miami that shot those cops was probably a test run as well, intentionally shooting cops of course but I think it was one guy doing it in small numbers for the rest to watch the response effort
timing the different maneuvers, plotting the routes taken, counting the agencies involved as well as a head count, logging the precedures and the command structure etc etc etc
I doubt it was just a one guy gone mad thing, time will tell ... maybe
September 15, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bjjmom (anonymous) says...
On the Glenn beck. You can also get transcripts from his CNN show. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPT...
If you look on the Post and Courier home page today you can get the school bus routes for our children simply by typing in the school and your street address.
September 15, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
Here's a few things I would like to see implemented immediately.
1. Stop the Visa Waiver Program immediately. I have already written to Graham and DeMint about this.
2. Stop the Student Visa Program until we can find the ones already here and determine if they really are students.
3. American citizens involved in terror acts or planning must be afforded the right to due process.
4. Non-Americans involved in terror acts have no rights under our constitution and should be tried in a military tribunal and either deported or held in special military prisons not on the continental US.
5. We need domestic intelligence laws to allow the FBI and other law enforcement agencies the right to monitor what is being preached in these local mosques. Anyone preaching jihad should be deported.
That should keep us busy for awhile. Any thoughts?
September 15, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sean436 (anonymous) says...
It is obvious that the judicial system in America does not work, nor has it worked in many years.It seems to be about the money- if you can pay your way out, you are free. We have suspected terrorists with all the items that are possibly used to create explosives, and other weapons of destruction. But, our system is still trying to overlook the obvious- and still try to let them off easy. The problem with this, is America does not have the backbone, to do what is right. If we treat criminals the way other countries do, we would not have to deal with jails that are overcrowded, innocent people getting murdered or raped, stores being robbed at gunpoint. Lets make a stand, get tough on criminal activity. Lock down the boarders, deport all non-legal immigrants and the US may, just may start to be a better country. The American population just needs to grow a backbone, and do what is right for OUR people.
September 15, 2007 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
sean436, you make some good points but the democrats and other lefties, including the ACLU will block any attempt to limit illegal immigration. The lefty judges, like this goofball in Tampa are everywhere and it will be a very tough battle to do what you're proposing.
September 15, 2007 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdtpace (anonymous) says...
Where is anon123, the terrorist sypmathizer? He thinks they are innocent until they kill someone.
September 15, 2007 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
I don't know where anon is . We had a few words last night when this broke but I haven't heard from him since.
September 15, 2007 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
billyoblog (anonymous) says...
Shranpnel? I wonder what a box of 22 shells would do dumped inside the can of gasoline after it was detonated by the pipe bombs. Hmmmmm, explosion, fire, someone tries to put out the fire, suddenly a hundred rounds of 22's start popping off.
"What did you tell them the gas canister was for?"
Interesting, very interesting.
September 15, 2007 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I do know that the local ports have stepped up their security yet again.
If you think about it, what's a better place to enter and wreak havoc on our country?
September 15, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
That's right navy. An M-16 is a .22. Works just fine.
September 15, 2007 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
They sure didn't have any problems kicking the Iranian cadets out of the Citadel in the early 80's(I think that's the right dates). Why can't they do that at all colleges now? Get rid of any potential problems before they occur.
Have their been new laws enacted since then to protect these students? Does anyone know?
September 15, 2007 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
juniemoon1957 (anonymous) says...
I agree...test run for further attacks. Harpo...at my age I would consider these two scum kids. But, they are 21 and 26. Hardly not kids, and should know right from wrong. The 26 year old is probably trying to make an impresion on the 21 year old. The entire story smells of two idiots up to no good.
September 15, 2007 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Geechie, quite true about the bleeding hearts.
I wish they would get their heads out of anatomically impossible positions and open their liberally encrusted eyes and see what is happening around them.
Amen, brother, God help us all.
September 15, 2007 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
We can make an impact on the student visa program. Call, email or FAX your senators and representatives. Tell them to put a moratorium on student visas until we can track down every student already here on a visa to verify that they are not a terrorist.
Right now there are two more immigration laws making their way through congress. Both are flawed and will result in amnesty. Go to http://www.numbersusa.com/index to learn more about how they are quietly working to get the amnesty that we defeated last time around.
If we don't stop islamic student visas soon, the results will catastrophic. Glen Beck is on to something.
September 15, 2007 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
Just get them the hell out of our country...
Im tired of living in fear because of these ASSES!
Stop letting them come here to be schooled by our system when in actually all they want to do is HARM and Maim US.
Here is my Foot At Their ASSES!!!!
September 15, 2007 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
Oh yeah I forgot the most important point for those people...
KILL AMERICANS is all that they want to do...
September 15, 2007 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
Hey i need to ask a question does anyone know what happen to the comments about................................ Autopsy details scars, medications On yesterday?
I came on last night to read them and could not.
I assumed that all comments were removed, but i find that to be very odd to say the least.
Sorry about posting that in here just wanted to know if anyone else saw what i did...
I digress.. get back to your country and leave ours alone.
September 15, 2007 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
behumble (anonymous) says...
Geechie, for a moment I thought that we shared similar views until you said God help us as we have Hillary and Obama running for president. We cant be any worse off then if a dog ran for president when compared to George Bush. This country is in more trouble now than ever. The only Americans who are flourishing in this presidency is Bush, Chaney and the wealthly. (Oh yeah, and maybe his good friend "The Horse Farmer" who he had made head of FEMA) Never the less, it's ok to disagree, we are all entitled to our opinions.
September 15, 2007 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
beemz, I noticed the same thing about that article. I wondered if they removed it because they were tired of having to respond to all the flagging. Who knows?
September 15, 2007 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
behumblenot because of George Bush those college terrorist are in jail right now instead of already back in the far east after blowing up some unknown target
you people against him need to be thanking him for your lives right now
it's because of him that our local law enforcement got the funds and information to train to spot these guys ... how do you think BCSO knew what to look for? or any other dept for that matter
George Bush is directly responsible for us NOT being attacked since 9/11/01 for many reasons not the least of getting the finacial aid approved in all the small rural areas as well as in the larger cities to catch this stuff
so far I'd say he has a 100% success rate
yes the muslims will again succeed sooner or later, but the fact that is later rather than sooner should be applauded
you want to blame Bush for something blame him for keeping your whining a*s alive so you CAN whine
gezzz BCSO makes an excellent catch and somehow that's a negative thing to blame on Bush... go figure
Clinton let USL live in case you forgot, you can blame him for alqeada begin large now and causing all the problems around the world
September 15, 2007 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
Clinton let UBL live....
____
and yea I noticed that article about the murdering mom locked too, I guess they had too many comments on what a waste of a life she is
September 15, 2007 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
behumble,
You can also thank President Bush for the lowest unemployment in a long, long, time and for tax cuts that let you keep more of your money in your pocket. If the democrats win the white house and control congress, we will be paying a lot more of our money to fund all of those entitlement programs to people who take but never give.
Under this president more people have become homeowners, inflation has been kept in check, and all of that happened in spite of the largest terrorist attack on our soil ever.
All of that's in addition to the great things listed by Jammer. Instead of whining be grateful you're still alvie and able to whine and remember it wasn't the press who gave you freedom of speech, it was the American soldier who fought and died to keep this country free.
September 15, 2007 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
As an addition, please remember who was in office when those killers were training to become airline pilots.
George W. was barely in office long enough to get his feet wet before the massive attacks took place.
September 15, 2007 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whome (anonymous) says...
Unemployment's been artificially boosted by three sectors: education, health care, and defense. Three areas where so much of current "growth" is paid for by future promises ; sort of like paying for your current expenses using credit cards. Adjust for those areas, and unemployment's growth is negative.
How much would inflation be checked if the most goods weren't made in china, illegal immigration didn't account for so much of labor, and real wages haven't increased in three years? Home ownership was at all time high, but the percentage of the house owned has never been lower.
but, i digress...
after the hamdan case, the government was given the legal authority to detain through designation as an enemy combatant and to try using military trubunals; so anyone wants to guess as to why the federal government has exercised that authority in this case?
p.s. there were eight years between WTC I and WTCII, so bragging about 6 years of inactivity is somewhat disingenuous.
September 15, 2007 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
billyoblog (anonymous) says...
whome,
Didn't Khobar towers, the Cole, and the embassy bombings take place between WTC I ad WTC II, or don't those count?
September 15, 2007 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
As we've seen in this case...it's gonna take more than the governmnt to foil these guys plots. It wil take sharp eyed deputies like the one in Berkeley county. And ordinary people like me and you to report suspicious activities in our neighbor's garage after hours(meth cookers included!!)
September 15, 2007 at 5:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
People need to read and study up on terrorism. The internet is loaded with sites on the subject, plus there are some great books out there.
"Know your enemy".
September 15, 2007 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
I don't mean to stir the pot but I can't say the actions of President Bush has kept us that safe! In fact he's endangered more Americans lives by sending troops on a battle front that has done nothing but pick off a few good men every day! Allowing prison guards to torture than post pictures on You-tube for all the world to see further fanning the flames of hatred towards Americans. And once again if it wasn't for the quick thinking of a flight atendant a shoe bomb by a TERRORIST would have taken out more Americans. O.K. who wants my soap box?
September 15, 2007 at 6:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
Oh bluebird, so naive. We have won every battle we fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. The same thing was true of Vietnam but the reason we lost the war in Vietnam was because of people at home who lost or were persuaded to withdraw their support of the war for bogus reasons.
The big difference now is that these terrorists will follow us home and kill us here. The Viet Cong could not do that but our soldiers who gave their lives in Vietnam died for nothing all because of the wimpy lefties who could not stomach the realities of war.
I suggest that we all recognize that we now face the most serious threat that we have ever faced. Greater than World War I and II. These terrorists are determined to force Islamic law on us and every civilized country in the world. They are determined to succeed and they have the patience to see it through to the end.
As someone who worked the DC sniper case, I can assure you that these people are not stupid. They know how to use our system against us and we need to learn how to recognize them and kill them before they kill us.
All of you who worry about the rights of the terrorists need to understand that they will kill you and me. They love the fact that you support their right to be here and it doesn't matter. They will still kill you. Wake up before it's too late.
September 15, 2007 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
bluebird, I didn't understand a lot of things about how our military works until I read "Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell. He is a Navy Seal that underwent a harrowing experience in Afghanistan. Our own country's rules of engagement cost too many lives in battle.
Our people don't know who than can trust in these foreign countries. If they make the wrong decision then they either cause the death of their own people or they kill an innocent. It is definitely a case of being caught between a rock and a hard place. This book really opened my eyes, and I encourage all to read it.
September 15, 2007 at 6:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjmehlhose (anonymous) says...
Bluebird:
Your ranting makes no sense whatsoever. American troops are overseas fighting the same people who would otherwise be over here blowing things and people up. That is their job (killing the enemy)!!! President Bush is doing exactly what he said he would in 2001. He is taking the fight to the enemy and is doing a fantastic job of it. Just look at all the head terrorists, they're either captured, killed or living in a hole in the ground since 9/11!!!!
September 15, 2007 at 6:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
trinitytim..thanks for all your LE work but wasn't the DC snipers Americans with a taste for blood? I get your point about them coming overseas to us but if we keep the kill them before they kill us mentality we'd be at war until we all die because we will always have enemies no matter what! And if we've won all our battles in Iraq and Afghanistan why are we still there? Who else do we need to pin a medal on before we leave? And I could've sworn(unless I read the wrong history book) that we lost in Vietnam because we got our butts handed to us "IN THEIR BACKYARD" Sounds familar anyone?
September 15, 2007 at 6:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjmehlhose (anonymous) says...
Black Jack Persing had it right. When he captured 50 Muslim terrorists in the Phillipines in the 1890's, he executed 49 of them with bullets dipped in pigs blood (in Islam this will keep them out of heaven), made the 50th prisoner watch the execution, then released him to inform his friends as to what had occurred. The Phillipines didn't have a problem with Muslims for FIFTY years after that!!!! We need people with his guts today!!!
September 15, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
All I'm saying is I'd rather us launch a couple hundred precision guided warheads from the bow of a ship than have troops being blown up by roadside bombs while insurgents film it and put it on the web!
September 15, 2007 at 6:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
tripsa, it literally brings me to tears when I think about the atrocities that they inflict on our military before they execute them.
I keep picturing these young 18 and 19 yr.old kids crying and begging for their lives as these heartless bastards laugh and torture them.
I feel no remorse when one of them has an unfortunate "accident" at the hands of Americans.
September 15, 2007 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjmehlhose (anonymous) says...
What we need is for our troops to have the power to carry out summary executions of these terrorists in the field after they've been captured. We've tied the troops hands for too long!!!
September 15, 2007 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
sjmehlhose....Now you know that's an automatic court martial...jail time.. and a jury awarding the families of those Muslims millions in damages to refinance their hatred!
September 15, 2007 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjmehlhose (anonymous) says...
That is exactly the problem. Maybe we need to start executing terrorists here on our shores. Lets start with these two. After they are dead, they won't pose much of a threat to our safety, will they???
September 15, 2007 at 6:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
Bluebird...
You're wrong about why we lost the war in Vietnam. I know because I was there. We never lost any battle in country.
Our hands were tied by incompetent politicians who wrote Rules of Engagement which often prohibited us from defending ourselves when we might injure or kill a civilian even though the bad guys fired at us from villages and other civiliian areas.
When the american media began to show dead and wounded American Soldiers and Marines every night on the news, public opinion shifted from a noble cause to us being the bad guys. Just like it is today. We, and our modern day counterparts did so many great things on our respective battlefields that went totally unreported. All the American public was fed was negative reporting every night. Of course they got tired of seeing it. Then, combine that with the lies told by Kerry, Fonda, and others and eventually our support was withdrawn and a weary public demanded we pull out. See any parallels?
President Bush has fought this war properly by allowing the generals to set the rules. War is never fair and I'm not suggesting that we should kill civilians without cause, but I believe that with support at home, we would have won the war in Vietnam and they would be a democracy today. I also believe that we can win in Iraq unless the american public pulls another vietnam, which I think they are already doing.
Read Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. He, along with Mikey, Axe, and Danny are great American heroes. I love them all and they have my deepest respect. May God bless them. I wish I could have been 1/10th of the men they were and are.
September 15, 2007 at 8:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WRH1020 (anonymous) says...
I AGREE TRINITYTIM....AMEN. WAKE UP PEOPLE. KICK BUTT INSTEAD OF KISSING BUTT.
September 15, 2007 at 8:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
tim, I'm speechless. You just managed to get across more valid points in one post than any I have ever read.
I agree totally about Lone Survivor. I don't believe I have ever read a more open or moving book.
September 15, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
whome you're completely delusional, nothing you typed was even true ... try a more ignorant forum with that false info
____
we tortured who how??
that's a bogus statement, I don't think putting panties on someone's head is torture or making them stand around naked ... who cares
they really torture our people, dismemberment while they are still alive not to mention the many other ways before beheading them ... IMHO they shouldn't even be listened to when they complain about our treatment of them
standing around naked ... how many here have been in the military??
when I went in the Marine Corps 27 yrs ago one of the first things we did in bootcamp after the two weeks of receiving when we finally got assigned to a platoon in one of the three batallions was we had to take a shower and come out on line with a towel around us to be inspected
all standing at attention in front of our bunks two rows the length of the barracks facing each other from opposite sides we had a group of five people come up to each one of us
three drill instructors, one senior drill instructer and someone from medical
one by one they walked up to us and told us to drop our towels ... for what seemed like an aweful long time they talked about us while they took notes inspecting what seemed to be our entire anatomy ... I have no idea what they were doing to this day, but I now gather they were compiling info to figure out what traits make the best soldiers
anyway, we had to stand there naked too ... do you think anyone cried "torture" ?? hahahaha... not hardly
in any case I'm all for whatever it takes to stop them from killing our people, our guys shouldn't be afraid of what they can and can't do to someone that's trying to kill them and us
and the M16's AR15's are all .223, a small fmj bullet we have to use so it isn't torture ... I totally disagree with that when our guys are being hit with 7.62x39 HP's and the likes, which is a much larger caliber that does much more damage
we should be able to hit back with something larger than they have, and they need to go back to .45 1911's too instead of that peashooting 9mm
JMHO of course
September 15, 2007 at 8:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
trinitytim....I will read all your future posts with respect as one of our heroes...then and now.
September 15, 2007 at 8:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
where do I get my hands on these books you guys are talking about?
September 15, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
bluebird...
The DC snipers were muslim converts who started their own jihad by shooting unarmed Americans all across the country. They made it known after their capture about 6 miles from my house at the time that they were inspired by Al Qaeda but not supported by Al Qaeda. Make no mistake, they were on a mission of jihad. They enjoyed killing their victims.
I believe there are many more just like them waiting to start their own mini jihad. See what happened in Michigan the other day with the AK.
September 15, 2007 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
bluebird...
Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Well worth the time to read it and thanks for your comments but I am not a hero. I just did my job the best I could just like every other soldier and cop I ever knew.
September 15, 2007 at 8:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
trinitytim thanks for your service sir and for your continued support of the greatest way of life on this planet, the American way
your service was not in vain ... and neither is the people's over there in the sandbox now
September 15, 2007 at 8:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebird (anonymous) says...
I stand corrected.
September 15, 2007 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
Everyone..
Speaking of the school takeover check this out.
http://www.glennbeck.com/news/0914200...
September 15, 2007 at 8:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
juniemoon1957 (anonymous) says...
Trinitytim...thank you very much for your service to our country. I, for one appreciate it. Vietnam was not a loss. To say that would mean a lot of men and women died in vain and for nothing. I worked in an Army Hospital for a while, as a civillian. The American soldier is, a cut above the rest of us. Then, and now. I hope that comment does not ire to many of you. But, they are a very special group of people.
September 15, 2007 at 10:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
junie...
Thank you for your kind words and for your dedication. I spent 6 weeks in Kimbrough Army hospital at Ft. Meade when I came home. I found everyone working there to be great people who always put our welfare above their own persoanl needs.
Thanks to all Americans who contribute to this great country regardless of their career. Great Americans work in all professions.
September 15, 2007 at 10:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
juniemoon1957 (anonymous) says...
The Veterans I took care of were a very fascinating group of people. The stories they told were spell binding. I even learned how to break in a new pair of shoes from a veteran. He said "missy, you go home soak those shoes in some hot water and put them on 'yer feet and they will be right for wearing". Well, to say the least, it was miserable putting on wet shoes but I know soldiers did more than that for me. I enjoyed my time at the Army Hospital. I learned so much from the 91 Charlies...the LPN's. The enlisted RN's were not so helpful as the 91 Charlies. The 91 Charlies definately knew their stuff. Gave me a run for my money. I learned how to do last minute hair cuts, shave neck lines and hauled my sewing machine to work more than once to SEW ON PATCHES. Dang! And then it was cook spaghetti, and CAKE! And we sure do wish we had some BROWNIES! On more than one occasion I was awaken by a phone call "Can you come and get us at the so and so bar?" They were fun.
September 15, 2007 at 11:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Aren't the terrorists already here in America? Don't we have two "suspected" terrorists that were captured right here in the lowcountry? Earlier this year, we had a group "allegedly" planning to strike at a base in NC. The argument about fighting them over there so we don't fight them here is not credible. Terrorists are everywhere, all over the world.
September 16, 2007 at 1:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trinitytim (anonymous) says...
Preachlove...
Your loyalty to the Democratic talking points is admirable but the fact that there are terrorists already here does not mitigate the need to defeat them overseas. To think otherwise is both naive and dangerous. Your "either-or" logic scares me. You are dangerous.
September 16, 2007 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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