posted on Jan, 17 2005 @ 11:18 PM
In a surprising move, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge downgraded the threat of a terrorist attack at this weeks inauguration. Declared as a
viable oppurtunity for terrorists back in April of 2004, there is now "no evidence" supporting the possibility. This was released amid a flurry of
recent speculation and represents the latest in "180 degree flips" of the intelligence community.
www.washingtonpost.com
In April, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced that al Qaeda terrorists might strike during this week's presidential inauguration
festivities in Washington. The warning was part of a drumbeat sounded by U.S. officials throughout 2004 that terrorists were seeking to launch attacks
both during and after the election season.
Nine months later, the threat level has been lowered, and Ridge, speaking at a news conference last week, said there is no evidence of a plot to
disrupt President Bush's inauguration. Previous warnings, Ridge explained, stemmed from threat reports tied to the elections -- not to the
inauguration more than two months later.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
The Intelligence Community is at it again - this time it would seem to be aimed towards the assuaging of a nervous american public. This statement
by our Homeland Security Secretary, contradicts not only their intel from almost a year ago, but recent FBI reports and "senior U.S. intelligence
authorites." Refer to supporting ATS links.
I thought the intelligence community was going to get its act together. Instead, it seems they are playing at ruffling the feathers of a populace
that looks to them for support, calming there concerns only after the controversy has been sated.
Interesting that a high point of the Republican campaign centered on the imminent threat of terrorist activity and now there is "no credible
evidence" to support an imminent attack.
Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
TA-THREATS: FBI Reports Suspicious Activity on Inauguration Route
TA-THREATS: Possible Inauguration Threat: Limo Bombs
[edit on 17-1-2005 by Banshee]