home

Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales outlined the case against the wannabe warriors busted yesterday in Liberty City, Florida. You can watch the video here. The only al-Qaeda member they met with was an undercover informant posing as one.

According to the court documents, a man identified as Narseal Batiste was the recruiter who wanted to organize "soldiers" to build an Islamic army to wage holy war. The others were identified as Patrick Abraham, Stanley Grant Phanor, Naudimar Herrera, Burson Augustin, Lyglenson Lemorin, and Rotschild Augustine.

Batiste allegedly met last December in a hotel room with someone posing as a representative of al-Qaida -- someone law enforcement officials say was actually an agent of a country friendly to the United States.

The indictment said Batiste initially asked for "boots, uniforms, machine guns, radios, and vehicles," as well as $50,000 in cash, to help him build an "Islamic Army to wage jihad." ....At a meeting on March 16 at a warehouse in the Miami area, the seven defendants allegedly discussed a plot to bomb FBI buildings in five cities, and each swore an oath of loyalty to al-Qaida before the purported al-Qaida representative.

The Indictment is here.

< Bush Administration Obtained Bank Data Without Court Subpoenas or Warrants | Cheney Says He May Be a Witness in Libby Trial >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#1)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 08:36:18 AM EST
    Can you spell "Entrapment"? Kinda reminds me of cointelpro...when govt. agents instigated others into violence.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#2)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 08:47:23 AM EST
    Ersatz all way round. Kinda like Chicken Chow Mein meets Nachos.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#4)
    by Joe Bob on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:04:46 AM EST
    Scary stuff. Let me get this straight: these "terrorists" could barely organize a karate class and their only purported source of weapons and funding was a government agent? What exactly are we supposed to be afraid of here? Karate chops of mass destruction? If this is what passes for a newsworthy counterterrorism effort in the Bush administration we are well and truly screwed.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:06:14 AM EST
    They wanted uniforms ferchrissakes! Oh, and 50 large. Everybody in this thing was trying to scam everyone else -- and I have a funny feeling that Alberto is trying to scam me. . . . jim strain in san diego.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:41:17 AM EST
    Well said jim. Even AQ can be scammed...seems entirely plausible. Hopefully they will get the trial afforded them by the Constitution, and not get Padilla'd. I'll plan whatever you want me to plan for 50k...but you'll never see me again after I collect.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#7)
    by Steven Sanderson on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:45:07 AM EST
    So, these kids wanted to be soldiers in an Islamic army to wage a holy war. That doesn't sound a whole lot different than singing about being (Onward) Christian Soldiers marching around with swords in their hands. The main difference seems to be that white Christians are cheered and dark skinned Moslems are arrested and accused of being terrorists. They're only pawns in Bushco's games.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:46:05 AM EST
    In fact....if these guys were simply trying to scam what they thought was an AQ operative out of 50 large...they should get the medal of freedom!! That's hitting them were it hurts. Not a bad idea...send a slew of undercovers to the field to request funds from AQ for an attack and bankrupt the bastards.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#9)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:48:58 AM EST
    Squeaky - Like the Zarq man, they don't exist. It is all a big psychops program. kdog writes:
    I'll plan whatever you want me to plan for 50k...but you'll never see me again after I collect.
    And if you make a lot of statements hostile to the US to a agent, you'll be sent to jail. jim strain - Nope, you're doing too good a job scamming yourself. Joe Bob - Uh, this is a little complex, but try to think it through. They didn't know he was a government agent. They wanted this stuff from him so they could do bad things.. Get the point??

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#10)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:51:18 AM EST
    Mueller is on TV right now. He has identified us all as "extremists", AKA pre terrorists, and is talking in a way that suggests that sites like this will be shut down in about a week. His label of "homegrown terrorists" will be the new aegis of the Republican Guard. Nice talking to you all. It's almost over.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:53:09 AM EST
    Jim....yeah, I would get locked up...but it wouldn't do a thing to decrease terrorism. Just like, at first glance, this bust won't do a thing to decrease terrorism.
    They didn't know he was a government agent. They wanted this stuff from him so they could do bad things..
    Or they were scamming the guy. Still wrong, but hardly a victory in the fight against terrorism.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:54:22 AM EST
    I hear that Che...I say let them come. It's gonna have to get a lot worse before it gets better.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#14)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 10:22:05 AM EST
    And if you make a lot of statements hostile to the US to a agent, you'll be sent to jail. Fortunately Jim is here to tell us all what constitutes "hostile".

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 10:33:25 AM EST
    Obviously, you guys ain't been watchin' FOX. These guys were about to sneak outta my closet and behead my entire family. I will sleep much easier tonight.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#16)
    by Punchy on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 10:39:06 AM EST
    Wow...I never even considered the "ruse" aspect of this. That these guys were looking to bilk 50 large out of Johnny Jihad using some "pledge" and a request for--this is too damn funny--uniforms!! Of course, we're not likely to find out the truth in the matter, anyways.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#17)
    by profmarcus on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 10:53:09 AM EST
    In a BBC news broadcast today, Miami Herald reporter Mani Garcia remarks that the government's arrest of seven men in connection with a 'plot' to blow up the Sears Tower is probably overblown. "They've been described to us by sources as 'wannabes' -- still to be determined if making a connection about talking about doing an attack and and being able to finance an attack," Garcia said. "We've seen previous cases where the Federal government has announced with great hoopla breaking terrorist cells. And when you start deconstructing a case, you see that there's a lot of talk."
    it's really hard to conduct a good p.r. campaign when folks start questioning your news releases... what's a body to do...? they might have to resort to something REALLY radical, like capturing osama... And, yes, I DO take it personally

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#18)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 10:56:36 AM EST
    Squeaky - Like the Zarq man, they don't exist. It is all a big psychops program.
    Yes ppj, with Rove running the circus anything is possible. You are catching on big fella.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 10:58:23 AM EST
    I bet they wanted the uniforms so they could get GC protections if captured. Uniforms?....You can't make this stuff up. Also, kind of makes the Iraq war (to find WMD's) kind of pointless when anybody can make a WMD by going to Home Depot.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#20)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 11:06:46 AM EST
    CNN Exclusive: We got pineapple chairs!! Stay BACK!

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#21)
    by Dadler on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 11:07:00 AM EST
    I'm surprised the administration didn't edit out the part about the "plotters" wanting uniforms. Severely weakens the case that these guys were serious.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#22)
    by Punchy on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 11:15:13 AM EST
    Dad-- I'm quite certain that when questioned, they'll pull some BS like "they wanted guard uniforms" or "TSA uniforms" so they could "infiltrate"...otherwise, this just looks silly. Actually, from the list of things they wanted (cars, money, threads, guns) AND knowing the area (Lib City is akin to Compton), it sounds more likely they wanted a drug-smuggling/selling operation.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#23)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 11:39:12 AM EST
    The more I think about it...these guys should get positions at the NSA. They seem to have more of a clue how to put a hurting on AQ than the government does. Operation Cash Con or something catchy like that.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 11:49:34 AM EST
    Hang on folks. It looks to be one helluva ride coming up. Pay close attention from the beginning to all of the discrepancies and how the reactions generated in the MSM. I've already seen Chris Jansing of MSNBC express doubt at the official story and appear to give more credibility to one of the 'suspect's sister. I saw the one named Cory last night in an interview and he looked more devoted to peace than harm. One reporter today was trying to trip up a suspect's sister being interviewed when he asked her about the suspect's 'hatred of Bush and/or the govt.' She denied it quickly and confidently but then the reporter evolved the question to be 'unhappy with Bush/govt policies and actions' and she of course admitted it. He then made it sound like he caught her in a lie, which he didn't. He simply lacked ethical questioning or interview skills. Remember, it can happen to any of us...Bolton wanted to physically attack the UN building as well as Robertson wanting to do the same to Foggy Bottom. The admin is attributing the name of The Moors affiliation to this suspected religious group. It will be fun discussing it's similarities and connections to the Masons and Masonic Lodges.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#25)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 11:51:00 AM EST
    What good is it to have undercovers posing as recruiters anyway? That won't dismantle AQ. The undercovers should be posing as recruits if you wanna catch the higher ups. Maybe our conspiracies are correct...the government needs AQ as much as AQ needs the US govt. to further their respective agendas. So the govt. makes pretend to do something to keep the proles happy by going after these knuckleheads...and by convincing the proles the invasion/occupation of Iraq was necessaary for our security. They can't be this incompetent right? There has got to be a sinister motive.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 11:59:58 AM EST
    kdog - If it worked, they would do it...in theory, anyway. Look back at Lodi, Detroit, Lackawanna....they all have the same coincidence of a charismatic outsider coming in, making inflammatory statements that no one stood up against and then the provocateur disappears while the clueless get roasted. The govt seems to prey on the mentally ill or disadvantaged when they set the entrapping stings. The media then does the real damage by overblowing the propaganda.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#27)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:10:11 PM EST
    It is all geared for the 06' election. If the dems get control of congress the party is over. Subpoena power a go go. We are only in the opening act. Sit tight, the rest of the show is sure to be a doozy. Rove's genius is not to be underestimated. His skill as director/creator of 'reality' is unsurpassed.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#28)
    by Joe Bob on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:16:05 PM EST
    Joe Bob - Uh, this is a little complex, but try to think it through. They didn't know he was a government agent. They wanted this stuff from him so they could do bad things.. Get the point??
    Thanks for the snide and condescending tone, but I get it just fine. It's debateable whether or not you do. It doesn't matter what the members of Karate Chop Jihad knew or didn't know. If the wannabes' only 'Al-Qaeda contact' is a government agent then there's really no chance of a plot ever coming together, is there? The one person they were relying on to get them weapons and money was never going to give it to them. Get it? They never had contact with any real terrorists. And no, these yahoos aren't real terrorists themselves. If they were really interested in killing some devils it's not like you need to make an international call to Al-Qaeda to get the ball rolling. The state of Florida has some pretty lax gun laws and plenty of pawn shops.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:26:01 PM EST
    Hey Squeaky- I've been meaning to say thanks for the insights and comments you share here. I've been meaning to tell you that and I just wanted to say it before someone pulls the plug on peaceful, responsible, dissenting discussion....we never know what might happen next.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#30)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:26:23 PM EST
    Another good point joe bob. Why wait for an international terrorist recruiter when all you need is a credit card for a trip to Home Depot. Dodgy with a capital D.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#31)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:30:05 PM EST
    C'mon BB...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that, so far, this just doesn't add up. You say we caught them in the "planning stage"...I think it's more likely we caught them trying to hustle a guy out of 50 grand. Wouldn't you agree that our undercovers should be posing as recruits and not recruiters? Common sense. Unless our leaders don't want to catch the recruiters...just some red meat for the masses to keep us from asking questions.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#32)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:30:16 PM EST
    et al - Your defense of these guys is so outrageous I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Joe Bob - Gesh. We got lucky that this bunch screwed up. No they may not be smart, but it doesn't take a lot of intelligence to make an OK City style bomb. Does the fact they were trying mean anything to you?

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:32:13 PM EST
    Please tell me what it will take to actually get the non believers to believe that we did something right?
    For this non-believer...a totally new government. This one, D and R alike, can never be trusted again, IMO.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:36:08 PM EST
    Does the fact they were trying mean anything to you?
    Trying to hustle a terrorist out of 50k? Yeah, it means these guys were performing an act of defense to our nation, more than I can say for Washington. Speculation of course, but so is everything else right now.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#35)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:48:12 PM EST
    BB, One of my proudest monments. Wanna take his place?

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#36)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 12:52:53 PM EST
    et al - Your defense of these guys is so outrageous I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
    Oh Mister Big defender of innocent until proven guilty. How much you have gone on about that regarding, Delay, Libby, Abramoff, Ney, Griles, Ralph Reed, Lewis, Norquist, Safavian, and the other 20 or 30 Republicans caught with their hands in the cookie jar. I guess all those guys are white and non-muslim. While the ones you find the defense of so outrageous are Black and Muslim. At least you are consistent.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#37)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 01:00:46 PM EST
    please lose the insults directed at each other. I'm cleaning the thread. Narius will be banned if he makes another comment directed at the color of peoples' skin.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#38)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 01:08:44 PM EST
    rumi- thanks! the feeling is mutual. I always enjoy reading your comments as well. You have a nice calm and clear way of writing and lots of insight too. Not to mention your moniker is one of the best. Somehow your style seems to be in keeping with him.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#39)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 01:21:00 PM EST
    Our only hope to heal our country is through peace, compassion and unconditional love while objectively seeking a return to a system strong in integrity. Failing that, we might be forced to beat the merits of serenity and pacifism into our detractors. :)

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#40)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 01:39:19 PM EST
    Yeah I got a little hot there. Sorry JM

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#41)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 03:49:18 PM EST
    Che'... serenity now...serenity now...serenity now... :D

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#42)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 03:57:39 PM EST
    Miami seems to be a hot bed for terrorist activity. Isn't this where the fire Marshall killed that mentally ill man who ran off the plane. Oh I see perhaps another cover up scheme. Yes.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#43)
    by Aaron on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 04:27:16 PM EST
    They're calling them the "Liberty City Seven." Liberty city is the most depressed area in Dade County and South Florida, perhaps the most depressed areas in the entire state for that matter, populated by mostly Black people. None of those arrested could afford a lawyer. On Fox news they were saying that these alleged terrorists were all peounhappy with the United States. Now why would poor Black folk have a problem with the United States? Krauthammer was comparing them to the Symbionese liberation Army, while Mort was comparing them to the Weatherman, are these guys dated and out of touch or what? Apparently they did not have the means, the funding, the weapons, the support, the connections to Al Qaeda, nothing that would lead anyone to believe they had the ability to carry out a terrorist attack. Anyone but the feds that is. Now we know what the FBI is doing here in South Florida, they're sending their snitches into depressed neighborhoods trying to drum up business for Al Qaeda, then arresting poor people who express their unhappiness with this country. Of course they're going to go to prison for many years, but at least they won't be alone, they'll have hundreds of their friends and relatives from liberty city there to greet them. What a fabulous win for America.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#44)
    by Aaron on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 04:36:43 PM EST
    Five Americans and two Haitians. Next you'll see the the Republicans in in our government try to paint all Haitian refugees as possible terrorists, they've tried it in the past.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#45)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 04:44:20 PM EST
    Looks like this gives Jeb another great opportunity to purge the voter rolls of those scary negroes. To keep us safe, of course.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#46)
    by Al on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 04:58:28 PM EST
    This is interesting:
    Batiste allegedly met last December in a hotel room with someone posing as a representative of al-Qaida -- someone law enforcement officials say was actually an agent of a country friendly to the United States.
    So the agent was not American.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#47)
    by cmpnwtr on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 05:14:29 PM EST
    Misguided Wannabees... that's about the extent of it.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#48)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 05:39:19 PM EST
    June 23, 2006 05:58 PM This is interesting: Batiste allegedly met last December in a hotel room with someone posing as a representative of al-Qaida -- someone law enforcement officials say was actually an agent of a country friendly to the United States. So the agent was not American.
    What's more shocking is the reference to a country friendly to the US. That should narrow the possibilities considerably.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#49)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 05:50:45 PM EST
    Yeah rumi...last time I checked it was down to Uzbekistan and the Republic of Palau, though we may have managed to piss one or both of them off as well recently.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#50)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 05:53:42 PM EST
    Or it could be Israel...but only if being "friendly" means making us do all their heavy lifting.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#51)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 08:03:55 PM EST
    Guess that they are not muslims. Juan Cole reports:
    I just saw the spokesman for the Council on American Islamic Relations on CNN saying that the Miami cult members just arrested are not Muslims. I'd say that is a fair statement. For one thing, they are vegetarians! It seems pretty obvious that they are just a local African-American cult which mixed Judaism, Christianity and (a little bit of) Islam. It seems to be a of vague offshoot of the Moors group founded by Dwight York...... Now a relative of one of the members, Phanor, said that they wore black uniforms with a star of David arm patch and considered themselves of the Order of Melchizadek. I wonder if it is "Seas of David" or "C's of David", with "c" meaning commando or some such?
    Worth a read

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#52)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 08:27:57 PM EST
    There is next to absolutely nothing on Seas of David. The Moors are interesting and have some ties to the Masons/Masonic orgs. I think a few in this group were using a Lodge Chapter recently for shelter or worship or something. I guessed maybe it might be a mispronunciation of Seers of David which brought more than one odd factor into better alignment....interesting to dig on. Could also be part of the Seaorg, SeaLand or hey, even C: ...heh

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#53)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 08:34:42 PM EST
    Squeaky writes:
    and (a little bit of) Islam
    Such a small amount that all they wanted to do was join al-Qaeda and blow up the Sears Tower.. God only knows what they would have wanted to do had they had A LOT of Islam.. Aaron writes:
    None of those arrested could afford a lawyer.
    Somehow I don't think that will be the case for long.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#54)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 08:50:55 PM EST
    rumi-
    There is next to absolutely nothing on Seas of David
    I think that the Seas of David is Cole's name based on a description of their uniform. He may be emphasizing that they belong to a unique cult that may as well be called
    "Seas of David" or "C's of David", with "c" meaning commando or some such?
    It is no wonder there little information on the group.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#55)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 08:57:00 PM EST
    Yeah, everybody knows the truest expression of Islam is blowing things up and aspiring to join Al Queda.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#56)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:09:43 PM EST
    Squeaky- Seas of David was mention by one of the 'Brothers' when he was interviewed live in front of the storage building as this was breaking. I think he might have been one indicted. I saw this on MSNBC....I think it was live - the part I saw, and he used that name for their religious group. Afterwards, it was all over the MSM. Cole's explanation sounds good and makes sense. I just read the reference to The Moors this afternoon and it has an interesting history. The breaking news had the mention of use of a local Masonic Lodge at some point.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#57)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:17:38 PM EST
    all they wanted to do was join al-Qaeda and blow up the Sears Tower
    But if they really aspired to destroy the U.S. they should have gotten into Skull and Bones.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#58)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:23:40 PM EST
    Thanks for the clarification rumi. I am happy that I do not have a TV.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#59)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:35:37 PM EST
    Coincidentally, tonight on the news a CNN journalist claimed that the Miami terror cell "homegrown black terrorists" (Anderson Cooper) hatched its plot from a Masonic temple. Interesting. Link to quote
    ...yeah, I might be happier without mine.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#60)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 09:55:47 PM EST
    I have to post one more reference before it disappears down the memory hole. I understand if TL decides to err on the side of caution and deletes this.
    G.J.G Atheea, a Master at the Morrisigns Masonic Temple where Baptiste was an Elder, claims Baptiste was approved by men who offered to fund him for whatever he wanted to do, "as far as some subversive work. They would give him whatever he needed." Atheea claimed Baptiste was not interested, and didn't accept what the men had to offer. He denied Baptiste was a terrorist. The Temple was also raided by agents Thursday. Link to quote here


    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#61)
    by john horse on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 08:10:02 AM EST
    One more thing. It was just revealed this week that the administraton is looking at people's bank records without a warrant. Is it just a coincidence that everytime some news that is embarassing to the administration is uncovered they disclose a new terrorist alert or terrorist plot? Here are some specific past examples of this from Keith Olbermann (scroll down to The Nexus of Politics and Terror)

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#62)
    by squeaky on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 10:38:04 AM EST
    A new embarrasng twist in the terra case:
    It's interesting that while the indictment claims one is called "Brother Sunni" his sister says her brother is Roman Catholic, and that his nickname since childhood was "Sunny." It's a small but rather significant detail, and it seems like something our crack media could probably clear up fairly easily.
    atrios Good luck. I am not holding my breath.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#63)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 11:22:52 AM EST
    Ha!...that's a good one. I suppose we're asked to believe that the one called 'Brother Rot' is actually short for Rothschild, or something

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#64)
    by squeaky on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 12:56:41 PM EST
    A veritable Wahabi hotbed of terror.
    BLITZER: So, confusion is that he was called Sunny, not Sunni, because Sunni, as you know, is one of the religious groups in Islam. PHANOR: No, I didn't know that, but now that I know, no, it's not for that. That's his nickname, and it's spelled, S-U-N-N-Y, as a sunny day. That's his nickname every since birth. But all of them call themselves brother. I don't know -- it's Brother Nas, Brother Dee (ph). I guess each of them abbreviate their -- beginning of their first name for that, but -- my brother, no, my brother ...
    Well maybe they were part of the Mahdi Army. A new link connecting Saddam, al-Qaida, WTC, and Iran. Jeb and holy joe in '08. A safer choice.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#65)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 01:59:28 PM EST
    Well, I have to admit. If anyone is familiar with confusion, it's Wolf.

    Re: Gonzales Outlines Domestic Terror Busts (none / 0) (#66)
    by john horse on Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 02:17:24 PM EST
    How dangerous were these guys in Liberty City. Well, the folks who knew them the best, their neighbors didn't think them that dangerous. According to the Knight Ridder:
    The group apparently did little to inspire fear in the Liberty City neighborhood where they took up residence.
    A close family friend and a distance cousin of Stanley Grant Phanor described the leader of the group, Narseal Batiste, as a "Moses-like figure" who would roam the streets in a cape or bathrobe, toting a crooked wooden cane and looking for young men to join his group.
    The leader goes walking around with a cape and walking cane proselytizing people on the street. Sounds more like one of the crazies you see on street corners than a real menace to society. This is much ado about nothing. As I mentioned in a previous post, there is a pattern of the Bush administration where by some strange coincidence political downturns are followed by a "terror event".