Cartoon-O'-The-Moment: Oil Car Bomb

By GottaLaff

I saw this in my L.A. Times this morning. Well done, Ed Stein:

Quickie: Why Did CBS Scrub Story About Army Spy Planes Capturing the Times Square Bomber?

By GottaLaff

I've bumped this story up with an update. Title has been edited.

Original post:

How did they catch the New York bomb suspect? Today's Quickie:

Via Gawker:

They intercepted his call reserving a plane ticket to Dubai; authorities nabbed him. [WCBS]

We didn't hear a whole lot about that, did we? But we did get a critical earful about Miranda rights. But not a whole lot of kudos about how-- within what, 53.5 hours?-- they captured the bad guy.

That was today's Quickie. Was it good for you?

Gawker UPDATE:

Yesterday the above story was scrubbed. But why? Gawker had screen shots of related headlines. Today they report:

According to WCBS, they simply got caught up in the frenzy of breaking news and "inadvertently" put in an unconfirmed detail. There is a problem with this account: The detail about the Army Intelligence planes was featured prominently in the title of the originally article. Clearly, the line wasn't "inadvertently included"—it was put in and deliberately promoted. After all, it was the most eye-catching detail of the story.

More at the link.

U.S. Officials Say Pakistani Taliban Likely Had Role in Times Square Bombing Attempt

By GottaLaff

Via a New York Times e-mail alert:

American officials said Wednesday that it was very likely that a radical group once thought unable to attack the United States had played a role in Saturday's bombing attempt in Times Square, elevating concerns about whether other militant groups could deliver at least a glancing blow on American soil.

That is a tad disconcerting...

PhotOh! NY bomber suspect lists home with "Habitat BOOM"

By GottaLaff

Faisal Shahzad tried to sell his house at the ironically named HabitatBoom.com:

(Click on image to enlarge)

Listed by: Faisal Shahzad (Realtor Listing)

Did you notice the reason for selling? Maybe it should have said, "Moving to a prison. He won't last long!"

H/t: RWRenfrew

Video- AG Holder Press Conference On Times Square Terrorist

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Liveblog: Justice Dep't. Briefing on NYC Car Bomb Attempt

By GottaLaff

A.G. Holder:

A U.S. citizen, born in Pakistan, Shahzad,is in custody. He is being questioned, and has been questioned. He has provided useful information. Charges: Terrorism, attempted use of wmd, explosives charges, among others. Pursuing a number of leads.

This was a terrorist plot aimed at murdering Americans in one of busiest places in country.

Fashioned a bomb out of rudimentary ingredients, intended to kill tourists, theater goers.

Bomb failed to detonate, but was a serious attempt. Could have been lethal.

Reality: Constant threat from those who wish to do us harm because of our way of life. (?? Nothing to do with our presence overseas?)

The most dangerous lesson: Thinking that threat no longer exists just because none have been successful.

FBI, National Security, NYPD, state, local partners all worked together. Quick FBI reaction. Arrested last night at airport as he attempted to flee.

Searched car, home. Working w/ state, local counterparts, plus President's national security team.

Remain vigilant.

Janet Napolitano:

Customs, border patrol agents detained suspect. Federal, state, local law enforcement hard work led to apprehension of suspect. Exemplary. Especially DHS, whose work was instrumental in apprehending him. Targeted operations in regional and international airports.

Alert NY citizens' tips were crucial in preventing deadly explosion. American people play critical role in security of our country. "If you see something, say something."

John Pistole:

Federal search warrants were used, other techniques.. led to i.d. of suspect who purchased Pathfinder. Tracked his overseas travel. He was placed on no-fly list, he was i.d.'d on JFK flight last night. He was interviewed under public safety exception, without being Mirandized .... Mirandized at another location.

Chemicals are being tested, from device.

Uncovering any ties to radical extremism/organizations, if any.

Prevention continues to be our end game.

Commissioner Kelly:

New Yorkers can rest easier. NYC police detectives, customs officials at airport are commended.

The break in case came when detective found a hidden number on car to track it. Bomb squad detectives to be commended.

Holder:
Q: Alone or in concert?
A: Investigation ongoing. He's been talking, providing useful info.

Q: Arrests in Pakistan?
A: Ongoing investigation to determine who's involved. Not aware of exact situation in Pakistan. I've heard reports, can't confirm.

Q: How'd he get on plane w/ no fly list?
A: Napolitano: Don't want to get into details, but since Christmas, new rules to further check recent info against passenger manifests. Working around clock, so as new data was supplied over course of investigation, could match it once the plane manifest was complete. New rules were useful to arrest him before plane took off.

Q: Military training/contacts with terrorists?
A: Holder: Being looked at. So far, no connection.

Q: Under surveillance, did he drop off radar?
A: Pistole: We were interested in finding out more about him. We i.d.'d him as someone we wanted to talk to, located him, provided info to CBP for handling, and other agencies.

Q: How does gov't. track?
A: Pistole: A number of steps to i.d. potential terrorists... country of origin, training camps, who they associate with.. but not appropriate to give details.

Napolitano: Subjected to secondary screening, he's a naturalized U.S. Citizen.

Q: Bomb making training?
A: Pistole: A number of opinions... but ours is it's not the most sophisticated device. Aspirational, not operational? He had intent to do harm.. had some knowledge, but fertilizer not weapons grade.

Q: How long questioned under public safety exception to Miranda?
A: Can't provide details, re: how long. But he provided valuable info, evidence. Then Mirandized, continued to provide valuable info.

Q: I.d. when?
A: Sunday night.

Q: How close to losing him?
A: Napolitano: They had authority to make plane turn around and come back. Holder: I was never in any fear of being in danger of losing him.

Q: Terror trials... give you pause?
A: Holder: NY, DC are targets. Where a trial will occur, we have to be vigilant in these areas.

Q: More cameras, resources needed?
A: Kelly: We had police patrol in Times Sq., officers were on scene, present. We would like more cameras there, yes. We have plans to do that.

Q: Taliban responsible?
A: Kelly: Others can answer that. Full cooperation, work well w/ FBI, etc.

Q: Terrorist plot... how many involved?
A: Holder: Can't give any more details, thank you very much.

And with that, the presser ended.

Man held in NYC car bomb attack to appear in court

Another night I try and stay away from the news...

NEW YORK – A Pakistan-born U.S. citizen accused of driving a bomb-laden SUV into Times Square and parking it on a street lined with restaurants and Broadway theaters was to appear in court Tuesday to face charges that he tried to set off a massive fireball and kill Americans, federal authorities said.

The suspect, Faisal Shahzad, was taken into custody late Monday by FBI agents and New York Police Department detectives at Kennedy Airport while trying to board a flight to Dubai, according to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and other officials. He was identified by customs agents and stopped before boarding, Holder said early Tuesday in Washington.

U.S. authorities "will not rest until we have brought everyone responsible to justice," Holder said, suggesting additional suspects are being sought.

Shahzad, 30, is a naturalized U.S. citizen and had recently returned from a five-month trip to Pakistan, where he had a wife, according to law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation into the failed car bombing.

Video- President Obama speaks from Louisiana on oil spill, Times Square

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Car bomb scares, empties Times Square

See what happens when I try to stay away from the news for a night?

NEW YORK - Police found an "amateurish" but potentially powerful bomb that apparently began to detonate but did not explode in a smoking sport utility vehicle in Times Square, authorities said Sunday. Thousands of tourists were cleared from the streets for 10 hours while the bomb was dismantled.

"We avoided what we could have been a very deadly event," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "It certainly could have exploded and had a pretty big fire and a decent amount of explosive impact."

Investigators removed three propane tanks, fireworks, two filled 5-gallon gasoline containers, and two clocks with batteries, electrical wire and other components from the back of the Nissan Pathfinder, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. A black metal box resembling a gun locker was also recovered and will be detonated off site, he said.

Bloomberg called the explosive device "amateurish" and Kelly said the explosives were consumer-grade fireworks but could have caused huge damage on a block of Broadway theaters and restaurants teeming with tourists.
(snip)

Firefighters who arrived shortly after first call heard a popping sound, said Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano, who described the sound as not quite an explosion.

The bomb appeared to be starting to detonate but malfunctioned, top police spokesman Paul Browne told The New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

Obama, McCain react to Pakistan attack

By GottaLaff

Obama:

"Today's attack demonstrates the grave and urgent threat that al Qaeda and its affiliates pose to the United States, to Pakistan, and to the security of all nations. As the attack earlier this week on our embassy in Yemen shows, over seven years after 9/11, the terrorist threat knows no borders, and the terrorists threaten innocent civilians of all religions and regions. Now is the time to refocus our efforts on defeating al Qaeda and securing the American people.

"Today's attack also reminds us once again that the Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists, and are endangered by the violent extremists operating within their borders. We must forge a deep and lasting partnership with Pakistan, and with nations around the world, to root out and destroy al Qaeda and its affiliates. The United States must lead a truly global effort to prevail against al Qaeda and their hate-filled ideology."

Gramm-pa:

"Today's bombing must serve to deepen the resolve of Americans and Pakistanis alike to aggressively confront those terrorist groups that seek our destruction. While no organization has yet taken responsibility for this act, it is well known that Pakistan faces an enduring threat from violent Islamic extremism. We must work with the elected government of Pakistan to find those responsible, hold them accountable, and diminish their ability to threaten us and our allies in the future. It also serves as one more demonstration of the need for the next President to work closely with our partners and allies in order to counter the dangers posed by radical Islamic extremism."

Which buzz words did you notice?

Obama: Refocus. Global. Partnership. Al Qaeda.

Gramm-pa: Confront. Aggressively. Islamic.

On MSNBC just now, a security expert just articulated his own buzz words. One he repeated was "partnership".

Then there's that Pakistan blast

By GottaLaff

In case nobody noticed, there has been a truck bomb explosion at the Marriott in Islamabad that has killed a minimum of 40 people.

It was directed at the Mariott, because it represents the west and is a popular choice of dignitaries and reporters.

This is what happens when, as Obama has stated repeatedly, our eye is off the ball where it counts, and our attention is diverted to a fraudulent, unnecessary occupation in Iraq:

A massive truck bomb devastated the heavily guarded Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital Saturday, killing at least 40 people and wounding at least 100. Officials feared there were dozens more dead inside the burning building.

The Marriott has been a favorite place for foreigners as well as Pakistani politicians and business people to stay and socialize in Islamabad despite repeated militant attacks. [...]

The capital has not been spared, though Saturday's blast appeared to be one of the largest ever terrorist attacks in the country.

The bomb left a vast crater, some 30 feet deep in front of the main building, where flames poured from the windows and rescuers ferried bloodied bodies from the gutted building.

The only surge that has actually worked is that of increased deaths in Afghanistan and Pakistan.