Theodore's World

US raises security threat level to “severe”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom, the department said in a statement on Thursday.
“For that reason, the United States Government has raised the nation’s threat level to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States,” the statement said.

Statement from Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom. Over the last few hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. Currently, there is no indication, however, of plotting within the United States. We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted.
For that reason, the United States Government has raised the nation’s threat level to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States. This adjustment reflects the Critical, or highest, alert level that has been implemented in the United Kingdom. To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, we will also raise the threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States. Consistent with these higher threat levels, the Transportation Security Administration is coordinating with federal partners, airport authorities and commercial airlines on expanding the intensity of existing security requirements. Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane. This determination will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. These changes will take effect at 4:00 AM local time across the country. Travelers should also anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints.
These measures will continue to assure that our aviation system remains safe and secure. Travelers should go about their plans confidently, while maintaining vigilance in their surroundings and exercising patience with screening and security officials.
The United States and the United Kingdom are fully united and resolute in this effort and in our ongoing efforts to secure our respective homelands.

A major terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said. It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on aircraft in hand luggage, with flights from the UK to the US being targeted.
As many as 20 planes were targeted! And 18 have been arrested.
UPDATE on amount of planes: AT 4:05 a.m. they are saying it was 6 planes.
“MAJOR TERRORIST OPERATION, SOME ‘PLANNERS’ MIGHT BE IN US”
During the night, police arrested a number of people in London after a counter-terrorist operation they said had lasted several months.
Security at all airports in the UK has been tightened and delays are expected.
Scotland Yard said in a statement:

“We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety uppermost in our minds.”

“This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex.”

The Department for Transport set out the details of the security measures at UK airports.
Transparent bags
Passengers will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK, the department said.
Only the barest essentials – including passports and wallets – will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.

“We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the government, will need to be in place for a limited period only,” the statement said.

BBC journalist Joe Lynam encountered the increased security measures at Gatwick airport.

“I was handed a piece of paper saying that pretty much nothing could be taken on board the plane,” he said.

“Everything had to be checked in and that includes mobile phones, ipods, wallets – even spectacle cases had to be checked in.”

The MI5 and UK Intelligence Community websites are displaying that the UK Terror Threat Level has been raised to ‘Critical’, which indicates an attack is expected imminently.

Wild Thing’s comment……
I am wondering if this has anything to do with what happened at the airport in London.

A man from Scotland’s Lebanese community waves the Scottish and Lebanese flags outside Prestwick Airport in Scotland during a demonstration against the UK government’s decision to allow U.S. military aircraft carrying bombs destined for Israel to re-fuel at airports in the UK July 30, 2006. It has recently emerged that Prestwick Airport had re-fuelled U.S.aircraft carrying weapons without the UK government’s knowledge.

UPDATE:
U.S. raises threat level in response to British threat
The Associated Press, Aug. 10, 2006
WASHINGTON
The U.S. government raised its threat level to the highest level for commercial flights from Britain to the United States early Thursday in response to a reported terror plot in London and also stepped up the general level for all flights within the U.S. or entering the country.
“We believe that these arrests (in London) have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in announcing that the threat level for flights from Britain to the United States has been raised to the highest “severe or red” level.
“To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, we will also raise the threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States,” Chertoff said.
UPDATE:
10 August 2006; 0200 ET:
Police in the U.K. have reportedly foiled a plot to smuggle explosive devices in airline hand luggage to blow up planes in mid-flight, or take over aircraft and crash them into targets inside the U.S.
Police in the United Kingdom have reportedly arrested 18 suspects, and more being sought in the UK and at least 2 other countries, including the US. According to US intelligence sources close to the Northeast Intelligence Network, the investigation is expected to expand “well beyond the UK,” and described the threat to the US as “just the tip of the iceberg and very significant.”

Fox News

The FBI has issued an urgent nationwide alert for 11 Egyptian students who entered the United States last week but failed to show up for their courses at Montana State University.
An FBI advisory says there are, at present, no known connections to any terrorist group but that the students are to be “approached with caution” and taken into custody. They “are here illegally and wanted for questioning,” the advisory says.
The advisory comes just over a month before the five-year anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on the United States.
“This is of very serious concern and is being closely tracked,” said Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
The FBI says the Egyptians arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on July 29 and disappeared. The advisory says the alert is nationwide but that there is specific concern the Egyptians may be on the Eastern Seaboard.

These 11 Egyptian students have been identified as follows:
(UPDATE: 3 have reportedly been captured – one confirmed)
1. IBRAHIM, EL SAYED AHMED ELSAYED; DOB OF 4/29/1986, PASSPORT 954757
2. EL DESSOUKI, ESLAM IBRAHIM MOHAMED; DOB OF 02/21/1985, PASSPORT 1002756 – CAPTURED
3. EL BAHNASAWI, ALAA ABD EL FATTAH ALI; DOB OF 04/02/1986, PASSPORT 934679
4. ABD ALLA, MOHAMED RAGAB MOHAMED; DOB OF 02/15/1984, PASSPORT 860972 – CAPTURED
5. EL LAKET, AHMED REFAAT SAAD EL MOGHAZI; DOB OF 09/01/1986, PASSPORT 943306
6. EL ELA, AHMED MOHAMED MOHAMED ABOU; DOB OF 02/02/1985, PASSPORT 595081
7. EL MOGHAZY, MOHAMED IBRAHIM ELSAYED; DOB OF 08/08/1986, PASSPORT 861073
8. ABDOU, EBRAHIM MABROUK MOUSTAFA; DOB OF 02/25/1984, PASSPORT 828682 – CAPTURED
9. EL GAFARY, MOUSTAFA WAGDY MOUSTAFA; DOB OF 07/01/1988, PASSPORT 861673
10. MARAY, MOHAMED SALEH AHMED; DOB OF 09/12/1985, PASSPORT 862634
11. EL SHENAWY, MOHAMED IBRAHIM FOUAAD; DOB OF 08/12/1988, PASSPORT 862534
This is nation wide, with specific region of interest is the eastern seaboard–from Maine to Florida. The predicate for this action is that these individuals are in the U.S. illegally and are wanted for questioning. Approach with caution.

And this from CounterTerrorism Blog:

Excerpts: “Consequently, I am not reassured when the FBI says that they do not know of any terrorist affiliations that these illegal aliens may have. It is not reassuring that we do not know, as these public relations spokespersons claim. The point is that I find it curious that there are millions of illegal aliens currently present in our country, but these 11 are the subject of a “Be on the lookout” alert. I do not believe that there are many other such illegal aliens who are the subject of a similar alert.”
Excerpt: “MSU alerted federal Homeland Security and Mansoura officials and notified the students via e-mail they had 24 hours to show up in Bozeman. None of them did, Dooley said.”
Excerpt: ” Officials at the Egyptian Consulate in New York and the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C., said they were unfamiliar with the situation. ”
The last two excerpts were on that site and from an article from the NY Post.

Watching for updates here: UPDATES

Wild Thing’s comment……
The only thing I find odd about this is that this is not posted at the FBI website, nor is ICE saying anything that I know of. At least not as of this writing. Perhaps it is to cover themselves if they are wrong about these individuals, I am not sure. But they certainly notified all the various news media about it as an alert so there is a certain amount of concern for sure.
In order to get their student visas and get admitted to the program, the “students” also had to list a financial sponsor and provide a certification of financial support. Who were their sponsors?
I hope they profile these guys like crazy and any one else like this. Just ONE other thing, STOP allowing anyone into this country of ours from any Muslim country.

Representing the far-left wing that is said to now be running the Democrat Party, Michael Moore is warning all Democrat candidates for office that they must tow the leftist line or face defeat as did Senator Joe Lieberman. Moore also warns these candidates that the left-wing of the Democrat Party will work actively to defeat all candidates that do not support an anti-war policy and an immediate withdrawal from Iraq.

Moore’s website states:
It’s All About Who You Sleep With … a Cautionary Note from Michael Moore
Friends,
Let the resounding defeat of Senator Joe Lieberman send a cold shiver down the spine of every Democrat who supported the invasion of Iraq and who continues to support, in any way, this senseless, immoral, unwinnable war. Make no mistake about it: We, the majority of Americans, want this war ended — and we will actively work to defeat each and every one of you who does not support an immediate end to this war.
Nearly every Democrat set to run for president in 2008 is responsible for this war. They voted for it or they supported it. That single, stupid decision has cost us 2,592 American lives and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. Lieberman and Company made a colossal mistake — and we are going to make sure they pay for that mistake. Payback time started last night.
I realize that there are those like Kerry and Edwards who have now changed their position and are strongly anti-war. Perhaps that switch will be enough for some to support them. For others, like me — while I’m glad they’ve seen the light — their massive error in judgment is, sadly, proof that they are not fit for the job. They sided with Bush, and for that, they may never enter the promised land.
To Hillary, our first best hope for a woman to become president, I cannot for the life of me figure out why you continue to support Bush and his war. I’m sure someone has advised you that a woman can’t be elected unless she proves she can kick ass just as crazy as any man. I’m here to tell you that you will never make it through the Democratic primaries unless you start now by strongly opposing the war. It is your only hope. You and Joe have been Bush’s biggest Democratic supporters of the war. Last night’s voter revolt took place just a few miles from your home in Chappaqua. Did you hear the noise? Can you read the writing on the wall?
To every Democratic Senator and Congressman who continues to back Bush’s War, allow me to inform you that your days in elective office are now numbered. Myself and tens of millions of citizens are going to work hard to actively remove you from any position of power.
If you don’t believe us, give Joe a call.
Yours,
Michael Moore
P.S. Republicans — sorry to leave you out of this letter. It’s just that our side has a little housecleaning to do. We’ll take care of you this November.

Wild Thing’s comment……
The Party of Saddam and the supporters of Terrorists speaks again. What can we do to keep this guy talking! HAHAHA

* Blue Star Chronicles ….Beth has a wonderful post on this.

Remember last year, when RightMarch.com traveled to Crawford, Texas to confront all of the left-wing loonies led by Cindy Sheehan, who were there to protest President Bush and the War on Terror?
One of the great men I got to know there was Gary Qualls, the father of Marine LCPL Louis W. Qualls, who saved the lives of 21 Marines and 37 Iraqi National Guard troops before falling to insurgent fire in the Battle of Fallujah. This father of a fallen hero was outraged that Cindy Sheehan’s cohorts had put his son’s name on one of their crosses and stuck it in a ditch to protest the war, at what they called “Camp Casey”.
Gary Qualls went to Sheehan’s site, yanked up his son’s cross, and took it to his own site. When they put up another one, he yanked that up too, and another, and another. As a result, parents came from around the country and followed his example, and all of those crosses were put together at what came to be called “Fort Qualls”. It was a magnificent sight to behold.
But the fact is, none of these parents should have had to go through what they did. Their fallen heroes should have been protected from that kind of exploitation by the radical leftists like Cindy Sheehan.
Now, they can be — with your help.

U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) and U.S. Representative Geoff Davis (R-KY) have introduced legislation that would ban the unauthorized use of a deceased soldier’s name or image for commercial or political purpose. The “Military Fallen Heroes Protection Act” (H.R. 5772) comes in response to recent commercial and political use of names and images of fallen soldiers without the expressed consent from their families.
“America’s fallen soldiers, and the families they leave behind, deserve to know that their names and images will be protected from this shameful exploitation,” said Boustany. “While there is no way to ever express in words the significance of their sacrifice, we have a duty to honor and protect their memories.”
Boustany introduced the measure at the request of several families who have lost loved ones in Iraq, particularly the mothers of Pfc. David Burridge (U.S. Marine Corps) and Corporal Joseph Thibodeaux (U.S. Army), both of Lafayette, LA. Pfc. Burridge and Cpl. Thibodeaux were both killed in Iraq in September of 2004.
Their families were shocked and appalled to discover that the names of their sons had been printed on the back of anti-war t-shirts being sold for profit. They subsequently called on their state and federal lawmakers to prevent this unauthorized business practice. Similar legislation has been signed into law in Louisiana which makes the unauthorized use of the identity of a deceased soldier a crime.
It’s about time. We need to PUSH HARD to make sure this bill is quickly made into law when Congress returns from their recess.

TAKE ACTION: It’s unfortunate that the “anti-war” leftists have sunk to a new low by choosing to use the images of our fallen soldiers for their political gain. No one who is shameless enough to dishonor the memories of these brave men and women should ever be allowed to benefit from such an act, either by commercial or political means.
Please CLICK HERE to send a free message to your Representative, telling him or her to pass the “Military Fallen Heroes Protection Act”

Thank you Jack ( Conservative Insurgent) for sending this Alert to me.

* Basil’s Blog…thank you Basil

Video released by the Israeli Defense Forces, Monday Aug. 7, 2006, shows Hizb’allah terrorist Hussein Ali Suleiman. Suleiman acknowledged his part in the raid on an Israeli army patrol July 12, that ignited the current conflict with Lebanon.
If the MSM reported this, then the MSM would not be able to blame Israel for Islamic terrorist attack worldwide.

Captured Hizbullah Kidnapper Details Syrian, Iranian Collusion 21:53 Aug 08, ’06 / 14 Av 5766 by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz
Israel National News (Arutz Sheva)
The IDF released videotaped footage of an interview with a captured Hizbullah member who was involved in the July 12th attack in which eight IDF soldiers were killed and two others kidnapped.
Chief of military intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin, told cabinet ministers on Sunday that the Hizbullah terrorist had been taken prisoner during an operation in Lebanon. Soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are still being held hostage by the Iranian-backed Hizbullah.
Among other revelations of Hizbullah recruitment and training methods, the captured terrorist, Hussein Ali Sliman, said that he and a group of 40 or 50 others travelled from Beirut to Iran by way of an unofficial Syrian air strip in 2003. He also noted that the caravan of Hizbullah vehicles crossing into Syria travelled by way of an official military lane. The trip was undertaken for one of two practical field exercises of Hizbullah terrorists under Iranian tutelage.
Sliman, age 22 from the Beirut-area Burj Al-Barajneh PLO refugee camp, was interrogated after being captured by IDF forces in an unspecified raid in Lebanon. Speaking in Arabic, the captive Hizbullah member appears to be very calm and cooperative with his off-camera interrogator in the edited recording.
Early in the interview, Sliman described how he began Hizbullah militia training activities at the age of 15, after school hours, in his home town. The training, Sliman said, lasted one and a half months, during which the youths were given military, educational and religious instruction.
Sliman: “I was young. In 2000, I took part in a combat course, after the liberation [a reference to the Israeli unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon in that year – ed.].”

Interrogator: “And until 2000, what did you do during that period?”
Sliman: “Nothing. Mosque attendance. Mosque attendance and lessons with the sheikh [Muslim cleric].”
After a multi-faceted 45-day combat course in the Ba’albek region of eastern Lebanon, Sliman learned how to use anti-tank weapons and eventually took part in what might be likened to a military officers course for commanders of specific districts.
When asked by his questioner if he took courses outside of Lebanon, Sliman answered, “Not a course. I took part in practical field training exercises [‘war games’ – ed.]. Two exercises.”
Interrogator: “When was the first exercise?”
Sliman: “At the end of 2003.”
Interrogator: “Where did you do it?”
Sliman: “In Iran.”
Interrogator: “How did you leave for Iran?”
Sliman: “We left Beirut in cars, range rovers, other vehicles….”
Interrogator: “Hizbullah cars. It is known that military cars belong to the Hizbullah.”
Sliman: “Not military vehicles, but…”
Interrogator: “But they are recognized as belonging to the Hizbullah.”
Sliman: “Yes. Recognizable.”
The captured Hizbullah terrorist was then asked where they went from Beirut. “From Beirut to the Damascus airport,” he replied. “At the Al-Missna Crossing, by way of the military lane.”
After clarifying that the group of about 50 Hizbullah terrorists traveled to Syria as a group, by way of a military crossing, the interrogator asked Sliman what they did once they reached the Damascus airport.
Sliman: “We did not enter the Damascus airport, we entered a separate area….”
Interrogator: “That is to say, unofficial.”
Sliman: “Yes, unofficial.”
Interrogator: “They entered the Damascus airport…”
Sliman: “An airport bus, the bus came and took us and we took off in the plane.”
Interrogator: “Did they stamp your passports when you left?”
Sliman: “We didn’t have any passports.”

The video then cuts to a discussion of the attacks Sliman carried out once back in Lebanon. In 2005, he was part of a peripheral team assigned to prevent Israeli tanks from firing at the border town of Rajar, as another cell attempted to kill or kidnap IDF soldiers stationed on the Israeli side of the border. That operation failed. “The main goal was really not achieved,” he admitted, “but the secondary goal was to land a harsh blow against the military outposts.”
Regarding his part in the July 12th attack and kidnapping on the Lebanese-Israeli border, Sliman said that he was assigned to prevent the approach of IDF reinforcements from nearby military positions.

Lieberman Concedes Defeat In Senate Race
11:22 PM EDT, August 8, 2006
By JON LENDER, ELIZABETH HAMILTON And DAVID OWENS, The Hartford Courant U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman conceded defeat just after 11 p.m. in the bitter Connecticut primary.
But Lieberman pledged to continue his candidacy as an independent in the general election in November.

And this………..
Rep. Cynthia McKinney has lost a runoff election for her district’s Democratic nomination to attorney Hank Johnson, a former county commissioner.

Wild Thing’s comment…….
I always feel dirty when I watch Dems for an entire evening. ugh! Thank God for bubble baths.
Did you see the “Hannity Sucks Ass” sign at the Lamont headquarters inadvertently shown on Fox? I love Sean Hannity and he pretty much kept a straight face.
The Democrat Party is peeling back a few more of the layers of skin of their onion. And it once again isn’t pretty. Lamont is the poster child for the Soros camp which speaks volumes as to where the Dem party is digging it’s heals in with a vengence.
And as for slugger McKinney, it looks like the terrorists will have to find a new Congressional Representative. Oh wait there are a lot of others to pick from in the Democratic party.

In Kandaksai, Afghanistan, Afghan children look at U.S. soldiers establishing a new base along the Pakistan border.
ONLY because they were liberated by the United States do these young boys have freedom to meet.
Previously they would have been seen only as Taliban sex-slaves. Under the Taliban children were prohibited from even flying a kite.

In Kabul, Afghan girls and children attend classes.ONLY because they were liberated by the United States do
these girls have opportunity to learn. Previously, school for girls was banned by the Taliban.

Wild Thing’s comment…….
These children would have none of this if it weren’t for our troops.
God bless our troops and please pray for their safety.

Frontpage
An attendee of the “Stop the Terror Rally” sponsored by the Council for America-Islamic Relations – Ohio held at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Columbus, Ohio, on Friday July 28 says she was twice assaulted by CAIR’s National Vice-Chairman, Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, when she asked too many questions about the organization’s apparent support for Hezbollah terrorists. Fortunately, she caught it all on tape and has put the video online so the public can see the reaction of one of CAIR’s top officials. The alleged assault victim, who chooses to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, but who posts under her nom de guerre “ciaospirit” at Little Green Footballs, describes herself as an independent filmmaker and “new media” journalist At one point in the video, Dr. Al-Akhras is asked by one of his associates who she is, and he mentions aloud the name of ciaospirit’s employer – a fact she says she had never disclosed to him or anyone else.
Fortunately, she caught it all on tape and has put the video online so the public can see the reaction of one of CAIR’s top officials.

In a phone interview shortly after the incident, “ciaospirit” described the events that precipitated the unprovoked attacks by Dr. Al-Akhras.
I went to the event because CAIR had advertised that it was open to the public, and regardless, it was held on a public sidewalk in front of a Federal building. I had every right to be there. It was clear that they had a message they wanted to express, and I hoped to get them to speak beyond their scripted press release comments…to get some straight answers about how they really feel about the violence and terrorism committed by Hezbollah that provoked the Israeli response.
I wasn’t there more than a couple of minutes when I began to interview a gentleman wearing a kafiyyeh that concealed everything but his eyes. I was asking him about his support for Hezbollah when Dr. Al-Akhras approached us and began telling everyone in the vicinity not to speak to me. I then asked him what his message and I kept rolling as he explained how they were there opposing terror. He was clearly agitated. It was when several of them were telling me about Israel bombing innocent civilians, and I responded by asking them about Hezbollah missiles being fired into Israel killing innocent civilians that Al-Akhras lunged at me and grabbed ahold of my camera as I was filming.
She described CAIR’s tactics as intimidating and its message on terror as contradictory:
His people – all male and much larger than me – swarmed me and wouldn’t let me tape, and I was concerned about what they intended to do. All I could do was to remind them that this was a public event held on a public sidewalk in front of a public building and that I had as much right to be there as they did. And I really believe that someone there had to ask the hard questions. All day the speakers were screaming about Israel killing innocent Lebanese civilians, but no mention was ever made about the targeting of Israeli citizens by Hezbollah or the kidnapping of Israeli military personnel in violation of international law. I was told by one CAIR spokesman at the rally that Hezbollah isn’t a terrorist organization because they run hospitals and schools (which I caught on tape). Not one mention of innocent children in Israel that have been killed in indiscriminate Hezbollah rocket attacks. No one there wanted to confront the glaring contradiction of their position. They apparently think that if they don’t answer the question that the question doesn’t exist. There’s clearly an agenda they want to hide. They were condemning Israel all day long, but not one word about Hezbollah violence. Their statements condemning terrorism clearly run only one way – towards Israel.
She says that throughout the rest of the rally, Dr. Al-Akhras followed her closely, instructing people not to talk to her as she tried to interview them. At one point in her video, one woman can be seen taping her.
This is here blog and she has more videos there of what happened. It is called Hour Glass 1941

I apologize for being so late responding to your comments and no new posts this morning.
I had some computer problems late last night and this morning. Then forgot I had a lap top. Now how funny and blonde moment is that. hahahaahaha And I love this lap top, I just so seldom use it.
It is my modem so the guy will fix it tomorrow morning…yippee
((( hugs)))