TA-ANALYSIS: ATS Interviews Its American Members, page 1

TrickmastertricK � Philadelphia

Answer to Question 1:
I lived in Philly for two years of my life. I grew up in the Burbs, King of Prussia, but do to the nature of my business at the time; I was in Philly or NYC almost every other day. I think that living in a major city tends to be more obvious and well known for a place to attack. The casualty rate would be higher, and considering most News organizations are in the city itself, it would lead to more coverage outright. A major city would seem to be harder to infiltrate, so to speak. More monies is allocated towards larger cities for defense, so security would be a lot higher than say Pheonixville, PA , the town were I now reside. The problem I face is that Limerick Nuclear Power Plant is almost in my backyard, The King of Prussia Mall is 5 minutes away (this used to be the largest mall in the US at one point), and Philly is about 25 minutes away. So I am smack dab in the middle of potential targets, which could lead to mass casualties, depending on method. I would think that anywhere could be a target, but smaller cities would seem easier to attack, thus inflicting casualties, chaos and fear.

Answer to Question 2:
This question is hard to answer for me. Reason being is that I feel for a country that claims to have had no evidence, or proof that Al-Qaeda was going to attack the US, sure did come up with all the hi-jackers information, pictures and who was responsible really quick. I believe that our occupation of Iraq will lead to certain circumstances regarding the US and its interests. I believe this created more of an outrage not only in Muslim communities, but throughout the rest of the world. This will have a huge outcome in the Future, especially if Bush is re-elected. I believe he opened up the door for the US to be attacked, not only by Radical Muslims. There seems to be a sense of distress within the US itself. Whether or not Al-Qaeda or the Taliban is behind it, the same sentiment will probably carry over. Just look at the Okalahoma bombing. In one way or another we will be attacked, even financially.

Answer to Question 3:
In reality, we only had Two Terrorist attacks in the US that were from overseas, the first Trade Center Bombing and 9-11. I feel the only way to curb the animosity, is through Diplomacy, and not by jamming Democracy down ones throat. We �Brought� the War on Terror to Iraq. Saddam was pretty quiet since the Gulf War and had not threatened anyone in the years between. Remember that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been �linked� to Al-Qaeda; he never came out and said that he was involved with them. He has said he shares the same vision of Osama, but has not met him. This uprising was not going on in Iraq before we invaded; in fact it was pretty quiet. If we had stayed the course in Afghanistan and not redirected it towards Iraq, I feel that the international community as a whole would have a better view of the US than they do now. Haven spoken to many Muslims in my community, they feel that it was proper to go into Afghanistan and Capture or Kill those that were responsible. They do not feel it was warranted to go off the course and invade Iraq, especially in hindsight. If the process is continued the way it is going right now, we will never be able to avoid an attack, especially from within

Answer to Question 4:
NO! There is no reason that my rights, or anyone else�s should be taken away because somebody either turned a blind-eye to, or just merely fumbled intelligence. Had the memo from Phoenix, AZ actually been followed up on, and Dick Clarke�s suggestions paid attention to, the list goes on, we probably would not be in this situation. My rights should not have to be played with because someone screwed up.

Answer to Question 5:
Yes. If 9-11 was planned as they say, in the �90�s, then God only knows who and what is in the country. There are still major Boarder and Security problems in the US, even after attempts to put new measures in place, after 9-11. Some crazy percentage, like 10%, of cargo is thoroughly checked. What about the other 90%? People are still able to bring firearms, knives, and even Bomb material on airliners. Cargo shipped on domestic flights is not properly checked. Not only do we need to know what is coming into the country, we need to know what is in here already. The knowledge of this may never be known. For all you know I could have come over the boarder, and am just sitting and waiting, living a normal life. I assure you I am not, but that�s the Reality of it. You do not know who is capable of bringing destruction to the US. I do not think there is a way to stop it entirely, but you can make it very difficult to achieve. Not only do we need to step up everything in the US, but we need to get the rest of the world involved in Security measures at their ports and airports. We need to give other countries an incentive to watch out for us as we would for them. To a degree some have, but there have been some serious lapses around the world, which could have made it to the US, and say not blown up in Russia. Incentives should be given to Aliens coming into the US for hopes of a better life. If we make it easier for people to enter the US, secure citizenship, jobs and the like, more attention can be paid to those trying to enter Illegally. Again, what I said before, you just never know.

Answer to Question 6:
I had touched on this already, but I am still not 110% sure of who was responsible for the attack. To me it�s just unfathomable to think that OBL and Al-Qaeda did this alone with out inside help. How do you really break down US security that easily? Conspiracy theories aside, I just can�t seem to comprehend it. I think the policies after 9-11 are having a Huge Effect on any impending actions. From the US withdrawing from the World Court, and after the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, the Geneva Conventions are pretty much out the window. We told the UN and other countries to basically go screw themselves. For What? Over a thousand Troops are dead and counting. Not to mention innocent civilians losing their lives at the hands of both sides. Yet we have some serious problems with Syria, North Korea, and Iran. Much more than Saddam was giving us. Yet we did not attack them, yet. I strongly feel that the Bush Administrations policies are and will cripple the US in more than one way. Regardless of who is President, policy needs to change. Having Kerry in office will give a new start to an already dwindling process. Time will only tell if he is given the chance. If Bush is re-elected, he needs to do some serious shaking up in his admin. They failed him, as well as the country and the world. I do not fully place blame on Bush, but he did put these people in place, and needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility for it.

Answer to Question 7:
Yes. Just by his name. Is he dead? Is he alive? Is he in Pakistan? Is he in Syria? Not putting an answer to any of these; will keep his name alive, and will continue to draw praise from his followers. Even if an answer is given, Zarqawi is already going to take that place. The Government and Press have built him up to be a God, and will easily have more and more followers.

Answer to Question 8:
Yes, without a doubt. Not only Policy wise, but more because of religion. Most in the Middle East see Israel as the Devil Himself; the US is also associated with them. But you have to define enemies. If it is the Islamic world then yes. I believe the US has used its Veto power in the UN for everything that has been brought up in regards to actions against Israel, which may not be liked by other countries. It is only going to get worse, depending on how problems with Iran are handled. Mark my words; if this is handled incorrectly such as Iraq, Nuclear Global War is only a matter of time. I believe that �Radicals� know this and will do anything to try to make this happen. I also believe they will try to pin the entire world against each other, they seem to be trying to do this now, IMHO

Answer to Question 9:
NO. It goes both ways. You can look at it as a success for wiping out training grounds, people and leaders, but guess what, more training grounds open up, more people join the cause, and leaders are made. Should they just be able to get away with it? NO. It needs to be dealt with. In the eyes of these groups we are attacking their religion, and their cause. I do not know how we would be able to make them realize what is actually going on while attacking them. The International Muslim Community needs to step up and get more involved with conveying the message. They need to step up in more of a force to condemn the actions they are taking and using Religion to hide behind.

Answer to Question 10:
Absolutely Not!

To the best of my recollection American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, American Airlines Flight 93, and a Bomb laden truck did not originate outside of the United States. We need to spend the Money and Man Power in the US first and foremost. It has been proven that the US is susceptible to another attack, everything is not being done. I believe only a new Administration will do things differently, because from the looks of it George W Bush is not doing a good job of it.