John Edwards - "The War on Terror is a slogan designed only for politics, not a strategy to make America safe. It's a bumper sticker, not a plan."

Can't wait to see the Olbyspin on this one if and when he comes back to work. All the networks are now reporting and the feds are confirming that their intention was to blow up the Jet Fuel tanks at JFK. One of the plotters is a former cabinet official in Guyana. Oh yeah, they were "low-level" alright.

This is how the good ol' left wing ap reports terror threats. Not a single word about the fact they are muslims and the "article" even goes on to say they are "homegrown" which they WEREN'T! Unbeleivable.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Three people were arrested and one other was being sought Saturday in connection to a plan to set off explosives in a fuel line that feeds John F. Kennedy International Airport and runs through residential neighborhoods, officials close to the investigation said.

The plot, which never got past the planning stages, did not involve airplanes or passenger terminals, according to the two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the arrests had not yet been announced

Prediction: Tony Soprano will be whacked by Islamic terrorists in the final episode and KO will criticize David Chase for scaring the public about the threat from the Islamists.

David Chase and James Gandolfino: nefarious neocons?

As if there were any other kind?

Italian neocons (ahem) is a bit of a reach. But if anyone can over-reach, it's our boy KO.

Umm, no name left this out:

"At a news conference, U.S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf called it "one of the most chilling plots imaginable."

"The devastation that would be caused had this plot succeeded is just unthinkable," she said."

The old "Do as I say not as I do" standard?

"I love when there is a terror plot foiled, it's somehow a defeat for the left."

Aren't the lefties the same people who are constantly claiming that Bush is evil because he is taking a forward-leaning stance against internal and external threats - wiretapping, terror warning levels, indefinite detentions for terrorists in Gitmo - and that every terror arrest is somehow a joke because the threat was not serious and the people arrested were morons?

Before posting on OW, I think you lefties need to identify which definition of terrorism you subscribe to...

1) there are no terrorists, just freedom fighters
2) there are no terrorists except Americans
3) there might be terrorists but no terror plots
4) there might be terror plots but no terrorists just "wannabe" terrorists.

Choose one and then get back to us.

"Choose one and then get back to us."

For the lefties, it's all of the above.

There's not much of a threat. Except Bush is causing the threat.

Which doesnt' exist much.

Except Bush is causing it with his actions.

He's not protecting us.

Except when the government stops these plots.

Which are done by morons anyway.

Unless if they suceed.

Then, Bush failed us.

To stop an attack from terrorists that don't really exist.

Because they're a bunch of morons.

Shorter version: Whatever happens, Bush is to blame.

Someone posted a note below that a political observer stated that the Republicans in Washington fear their base because the base is angry while Democrats fear their base because their base is nuts.

That's pretty damned on the mark.

"If it's a terror plot IT HAS TO BE MUSLIMS, TO OUR VILLAGE IDIOT, RK !"

No, it's probably Presbyterians.

Moron.

"Three suspects are in custody: Russell Defreitas, Kareem Ibrihim and Abdul Kadir. Another suspect, Abdul Nur is still at large."

Let me guess, Irish Catholics? Remnants of the IRA?

Members of a South American drug cartel?

A Maoist group?

Hmm, this is a tough one....

"THE MUSLIMS ARE COMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!"

Displacement, n:

"In psychology, displacement is a subconscious defense mechanism whereby the mind redirects affects from an object felt to be dangerous or unacceptable to an object felt to be safe or acceptable. For instance, some people punch cushions when angry at friends; a college student may snap at their roommate when upset about an exam grade.

Displacement operates subconsciously and involves emotions, ideas, or wishes being transferred from their original object to a more acceptable substitute. "

In practice, this means:

Radical muslims (note: RADICAL): NO THREAT

Bush, Republicans, neocons: THREAT

It's easier to deal with the threat HERE then to deal with the threat from overseas that comes here.

Because dealing with the perceived threat here (Bush) doesn't entail any risk. Indeed, attacking the threat here (Bush) leads to praise for engaging in dissent or for standing up for the "real America".

However, taking action against the real threat entails danger and harm.

It's easier to transfer the threat to one that entails no risk than to deal with the actual danger that can lead to harmful consequences.

"The arrests mark the latest in a series of alleged homegrown terrorism plots targeting high-profile American landmarks.

A year ago, seven men were arrested in what officials called the early stages of a plot to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago and destroy FBI offices and other buildings.

A month later, authorities broke up a plot to bomb underwater New York City train tunnels to flood lower Manhattan."

Yawn, big deal.

But those abortion clinic bombers, now's THERE'S THE REAL THREAT.

Even though there's been no bombings for nearly a decade.

(and yes, they WERE a threat; but not any longer, thankfully)

And six people were arrested a month ago in an alleged plot to unleash a bloody rampage on Fort Dix in New Jersey.

'U.S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf called it "one of the most chilling plots imaginable."

"The devastation that would be caused had this plot succeeded is just unthinkable," she said.'

Yawn.

Who cares. I'm safe in my basement on my computer.

Unless they get me.

Then Bush made them do it.

Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo.....

On the plotters:
"This is a very determined group. They engaged in precise and extensive surveillance, surveillance that included physical surveillance, photographic surveillance, video surveillance, even the use of the Internet to obtain satellite photographs of the JFK facility. They engaged in extensive conversations and international travel furthering and refining their conspiracy," an FBI spokesman said in a briefing.

Yawn.

Doesn't affect me. I don't care.

Fascinating. Cox and Dollar chastise us that this is an Olbermann (hate) blog. Yet, we have this tidbit. To my knowledge, Olbermann has not said a word about this, he has not formed any thoughts about this, he may not have even heard about it. Surely you realize you are accomplish nothing other than enabling ill-informed bile-blowers like Brandon and Jeff? What is the point? What does this have to do with Olbermann? If you want to join in the fun, fine. I haven't any problem with that. Put spare the sanctimony of the purity of your intent.

" Olbermann has not said a word about this, he has not formed any thoughts about this, he may not have even heard about it. "

What is his record re his reporting and commenting on events such as these?

It's not like there isn't documented evidence of his dismissing with a wave of the hand these type of arrests.

If KO had NO record of sneering at these type of stories, your point would have merit.

How do YOU think KO will report on this? Will he take it seriously or will he poo-poo it?

I vote (b) dismiss it.

Which is an odd approach to take for a "news anchor".

Adam Goldman, AP:

-- A suspected terrorist cell planned a "chilling" attack to destroy John F. Kennedy International Airport, KILL THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE and trigger an economic catastrophe by blowing up a jet fuel artery that runs through POPULOUS RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, authorities said Saturday.

No big deal.

American politics, c. 2007

Republicans = incompetent idiots who recognize the danger (potential and real) from radical Islamists.

Democrats = incompetent idiots who think there's very little if any danger (potential or real) from radical Islamists.

Great choices we have.

"You aint safe in your basement on your computer."

Run, it's Bush!!! The neocons are coming, the neocons are coming.

Pyschology: Displacement, n:
"Displacement is a subconscious defense mechanism whereby the mind redirects affects from an object felt to be dangerous or unacceptable to an object felt to be safe or acceptable.

Displacement operates subconsciously and involves emotions, ideas, or wishes being transferred from their original object to a more acceptable substitute. It is most often used to allay anxiety."

Run, Bush is coming!!!! The neocons!!! Christians!!!! Halliburton!!! The military industrial complex!!! Big Oil!!! Big Tobaccoo!!!

Radical Muslims? No problem. Yawn.

Ok Royalfraud, name a better, more respected news service than the AP.

Posted by: Why do care what my name is at June 2, 2007 3:18 PM

Asswipe, Fox News had a 3 tier description of the terrorists. Guess what #1 description was? Muslim. They were ALL muslims. The ap refuses to print that little detail. They even lied and called them "homegrown!"

"The plot posed no threat to air safety or the public, the FBI said Saturday."

That's a pretty odd statement because it directly contradicts other statements by the agency.

The FBI/prosecutors say the plotters planned on blowing up fuel lines that ran through neighborhoods. That would kill a lot of people, it seems to me, if they could pull it off.

If that's not a threat then I have a different understanding of the word.

Latest AP:

"A suspected terrorist cell planned a "chilling" attack to destroy John F. Kennedy International Airport, kill thousands of people and trigger an economic catastrophe by blowing up a jet fuel artery that runs through populous residential neighborhoods, authorities said Saturday"

The key question (or one of them) that remains to be resolved is how far along they were in enacting the plot.

But to say that his plot was "no threat" is pretty odd.

How do YOU think KO will report on this? Will he take it seriously or will he poo-poo it?

---

One (1) of four (4) things will happen by Monday, 1900 Hours, US CDST:

(1) The story will have been widely discredited.
(2) Olbermann will refer to the incident in a manner befitting its importance.
(3) Olbermann will pooh-pooh the story.
(4) The identity of Mary Cheney's child's sperm donor will be known (Dennis Kucinich) and all the emphasis will be on that story.

I can wait until that time.

Still doesn't address my point, does it? The basic dishonesty of this site. The thrust is not to expose Olbermann, but to to support the Bush/RNC Propoganda Minsitry, FOX News. Olbermann is just a vehicle to that end, much as Rosie is, much as every White Girl Gone Missing is. You know, I have no problem about that. Just admit it.

Look at ol' mexican patty, defending the terrorists tooth and nail. My prediction was right earlier, didn't take long for the olbyloons to defend and downplay the events. Sickening, to say the least.

These plotters are morons.

There's no danger.

Let's wait until they start getting good.

The ap refuses to print that little detail.
---
Not everyone revels in his, her, its bigotry and racism as you do, Jeff. Thankfully.

"The thrust is not to expose Olbermann, but to to support the Bush/RNC Propoganda Minsitry, FOX News."

Ladies and gentlemen, Professor Backwards is visiting the site.

Brilliant insight there, doc.

By the way, you forgot to add "neocon" and "Halliburton" in that list.

Earlier today, that noted fair and balanced MSBNC site had this as headlines:

"Alleged terror plot...."

I'm sure all the left nuts and KO don't believe anything was ever planned!

"neocon" and "Halliburton"
-----
The Neocons have made such fools of themselves, I need do nothing more.

As for Halliburton, I have no influence over UAE corporations.

Not everyone revels in his, her, its bigotry and racism as you do, Jeff. Thankfully.

Posted by: at June 2, 2007 4:44 PM
So, fool. Is Fox News a racist and bigot because they reported they were muslim? Is that what you are saying?

"I'm sure all the left nuts and KO don't believe anything was ever planned!"

They believe that Bush knew about 9/11 ahead of time.

Or that he personally knew that Iraq had WMDs.

That, they'll believe.

Plots from radical Islamists? Nah.

It's all allegations trumped up by the rightwing noise machine.

"Or that he personally knew that Iraq had WMDs."

Correction: "had NO WMDs."

Is Fox News a racist and bigot because they reported they were muslim?
---
So clever the way you refuse to capitalize the "m", jeff.

No, I doubt fox news is racist and bigoted. Just the people who watch fox news and believe what is being reported.

The subject of your wildest fantasies, the big wiener is a racist and a bigot, however, and so are you.

"We consider this plot to have been credible with an intent to commit acts of violence, but not yet fully operational," the official said..."

Yes, we have to WAIT before they're actually carrying out the plot or plan before we need to worry about them.

God help us if the leftwing moonbats ever run this country.

If they do, there will be so many radical Muslims flying planes into buildings that they'll have to have their own airline.

And the leftwingers will create a government program to help them buy one.

Oy.

The subject of your wildest fantasies, the big wiener is a racist and a bigot, however, and so are you.

Posted by: at June 2, 2007 5:01 PM

The first one to cry "racist" is usually the racist, in this case, that would be you.

It's hysterical how the right wing almost has an orgasm every time there is a REPORT of a foiled plot.
Considering how much this administration has lied to us over the past 6 1/2 years, they act like a bunch of stooges when they hear these reports.

Posted by: Why do care what my name is at June 2, 2007 4:50 PM

Goodness! You're a atupid idiot!

One minute you're whining that the right views every foiled terrorist plot as a victory over the left and in the next minute you're doing your best to spin the news like it some sort of threat to the left.

"The only time in history that terrorists flew planes into buildings happened on which president's watch ?
Which party did he belong to ?"

Ahh, but he and his party blames the Islamists for the act.

The other party believes that Bush was in on the act.

At least 60 (61%) of Democrats believe Bush knew about the plot or it's possible he knew.

In other words, he was involved in the plot.

One party recognizes that it was radical Muslims who did it.

Not the Jews, not the neocons, not Halliburtion, not Mossad, not Bush.

Radical Muslims.

Until the OTHER party figures this out, it's quite dangerous to let them run this country's national security.

61%?

This moron is so easy to be put in his place, if I didn't know better, it must be Jeff.

Posted by: Why do care what my name is at June 2, 2007 5:14 PM

Unlike you, I use only one name and use it on every single one of my posts. Just because you use several different names as well as making "anonyloon" posts doesn't mean I do it. Got it?

Why does it seem - to me at least - that every time we disrupt a terrorist attack here that some folks on the left get depressed?

Or get very upset?

Note: I said _some_, not all. I don't doubt for a second that 99.9% of people on the political left support arresting terrorists.

But instead of saying, "Whew, good job", they always seem to be upset or sad.

Very odd.

I don't doubt, again, the patriotism of most people on the left. But some of you sure act like you're not always interested in this nation's security.

If these thugs had been successful, a lot of innocent people would have been blown up or burned to death. Pretty horrible.

AND THERE GOES PARANOID BOVINE, AGAIN!!!

----------------------
Unlike you, I use only one name and use it on every single one of my posts. Just because you use several different names as well as making "anonyloon" posts doesn't mean I do it. Got it?
Posted by: royalking at June 2, 2007 5:26 PM
=================================

Mike, if you read this, I demand YOU PAY ME!!
NOW!!
CASH MONEY!! YOU LBRUL PRICK!!!

I got Bovine off your back for posting *under some other 40 names, including your "anonyloon" posts.*.

BTY, the price we agreed upon just went up 50 times. Now I have to share with "Why do you care," "Bob," "Sir Loin," "BlindRat," and the other "anonyloon 40 names"

I don't care if you have to blow George Soros,
just PAY UP!!

DAMN BROKE DEMONRATS!!

BOVINEQUEEN!
YES!!!
YOU DUMBSHIET!!
COME OVER HERE!

I'm planning to start my own site, I want you to be my Johnny Bu$hwipe.
Imagine your name, first place in the Google...
It's gonna be GREAT! BovineQueen!!

"THAT'S your interpretation of "some folks on the left" using the FBI and other sources to disprove how serious this threat was?"

No, I'm basing it on comments here and at other leftist sites (DailyKOS, Democrat Underground, et cetera).

And not just THIS threat but past ones. And not just threats, but actual attacks (Madrid, the London tube bombings).

After those attacks, there were SOME (again, I'm not painting with a broad brush) who dismissed those events (real and interrupted).

Look, I understand that to us, many of these individuals seem pretty pathetic. Not too smart (at least in terms of our ways of living), pretty unsophisticated.

But the 9/11 hijackers weren't smart either. Some wanted to learn how to fly the planes during flight training but weren't concerned about takingoff or landing. That's pretty dumb.

But despite their simple plans, they can be pretty dangerous.

It just seems to me that a lot of folks on your side of the aisle just don't take the danger very seriously.

Their words certainly give support for my contention.

"THAT'S your interpretation of "some folks on the left" using the FBI and other sources to disprove how serious this threat was?"

You select those FBI sources that mitigate that threat while ignoring other sources who express concerns about the seriousness of the threat.

Why?

It seems to me that you cherry pick stuff to support the view that the danger isn't that great.

And it's done ALL THE TIME.

And, excuse me, if this had been a group of radical anti-abortionists, I don't think you guys on the left would be so dismissive.

Right?

Mike, if you read this, I demand YOU PAY ME!!
NOW!!
CASH MONEY!! YOU LBRUL PRICK!!!

I got Bovine off your back for posting *under some other 40 names, including your "anonyloon" posts.*.

ROFLMAO!

Olby never takes exception with his Islamist or Chavista pals. They hate George Bush, America and our troops, so they are golden in Olby's eyes. If he mentions the JFK plot and the Somalia strike (doubtful, at best), it will turn into a Bushbashfest, as it always does. Olby is consistent if not truthful.

" got Bovine off your back for posting *under some other 40 names, including your "anonyloon" posts.*."

Why anyone responds to SLOB or his other incarnations here is a mystery.

He's pathetic.

All day and night with the posts? EVERY day. Does he ever get out and see the sun?

"Maybe I'm just following in your president's footsteps in the runup to the Iraq war."

Right, ONLY Bush said that Iraq was a danger.

It's not like Clinton (both of 'em) and Gore and Kennedy and Levin and Rockefeller and Albright and Berger and Durbin and on and on and on... didn't say much of the same things.

The Democrats made speech after speech after speech on this.

Remember, the 1990s? When Clinton was president issuing warnings about the threat from Saddam?

I guess not.

By the way, sources in the FBI and elsewhere also say the threat was more significant.

You seem to select only those sources (in the FBI and elsewhere) that support the view that this was of little danger.

You have that luxury (i.e., to dimiss the threat). The people protecting us don't have your luxury.

If you're wrong, you can just say, "Oops". Or, more likely, "That damned Bush didn't protect us!!!"

But they don't have that luxury. They have to pickup the bodies.

Daughter of terrorist, "My father was arrested because he is muslim." The aclu is probably lined up outside the jail as we speak. "Here we go! Off to defend our enemy!" As they all chant in glee......

The most obvious point here is that something was thwarted. Blowing things up usually involves some kind of danger, disruption, . . . . Because the plan didn't get far, people were doing their jobs. Hey AAP, do you think the plot for 9/11 was hatched and all preparations made after the election of Bush? Did it really matter who was President to them?

"Because the plan didn't get far, people were doing their jobs."

Exactly.

To those dismissing this as being "sound and fury signifying nothing", when SHOULD the officials pick these people up?

Seems to me that critics have the luxury of waiting while the people in the field don't have that benefit.

Anyway, in a post 9/11 world I'd rather have them act too precipitately than too slowly.

(and yes, the word is "precipitate" and not "precipitous"; that's our lesson for the day).

Sources said the plot involved putting explosives inside the fuel pipeline but realized that "it was not technically feasible."

Officials said the plot may also have included plans to hit the JFK terminal buildings and aircraft, in addition to the fuel lines.

In discussing JFK airport as a target, Defreitas exulted over JFK airport’s symbolic importance, according to a U.S. Justice Department complaint:

"Anytime you hit Kennedy, it is the most hurtful thing to the United States. To hit John F. Kennedy, wow .... They love John F. Kennedy like he’s the man .... If you hit that, this whole country will be in mourning. It’s like you can kill the man twice. "

In a later recorded conversation with his coconspirators in May 2007, Defreitas compared the plot to attack JFK airport to the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, stating, “even the Twin Towers can’t touch it,” adding that, “this can destroy the economy of America for some time.”

Sources said the planning stages of the plot involved surveillance of JFK airport as well as scouting out US properties in Guyana for possible attacks.

Aviation officials said there is no major threat to air travel related to this plot since it was caught in the developmental stages.

One law enforcement official said: "[There was] credible intent to commit violence but it was not operational."

Officials said the suspects never got hold of explosive devices.

"This was the ultimate hand-and-glove operation between NYPD and FBI," said U.S. Rep. Peter King, a Republican from Long Island.

The arrests mark the latest in a series of alleged homegrown terrorism plots targeting high-profile American landmarks.

***

Part of the plan was not feasible, but part of it may have been. The reason why there was no threat is because people were doing their jobs.

Al Qaida suspects sue Boeing, with ACLU's help

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2007/ss_terror_06_01.asp

"That is big time news considering the Bush administration is indirectly responsible."

Don't forget the Jews too. The plotters (at least one of them) also cited Israel as a justification for the plot.

Geez, if the Jews are so smart and clever, why do we have to give them billions in aid every year?

(sarcasm alert).

WOW! A serious question!

-------------------
The most obvious point here is that something was thwarted. Blowing things up usually involves some kind of danger, disruption, . . . . Because the plan didn't get far, people were doing their jobs. Hey AAP, do you think the plot for 9/11 was hatched and all preparations made after the election of Bush? Did it really matter who was President to them?
Posted by: at June 2, 2007 6:18 PM
------------------------------------------

Hell yeah!.
In this case, people (FBI, Homeland Sec.) were doing their jobs. As far back as 2006, and they didn't stop in '06. Because they were working to find bigger threats.
CHEERS FOR THEM!!

---Hey AAP, do you think the plot for 9/11 was hatched and all preparations made after the election of Bush?----

No.

I don't think the terrorists of 9/11 were too concerned about weather a (R) or a (D) was in the White House. I think the investigations have shown that indeed this was a well planned operation, planned for years.
Sadly, as the same investigations have shown, it landed on G.W. Bush.

We can go on and on with hypothesis of
"What would have Gore done?" and "How much blame should Bill and George share?"
An academic exercise, but also a waste of time.

Getting back to the "news."
The FBI and Homeland Sec. finally decided to "break the news" they were investigating since 2006.

Hmmmm... Why?

Are you really that much of a conspiracy theorist?

There are plenty of sources who would have broken the story. Doesn't it seem reasonable to break the story after the arrest of 3 and to get info out to find the 4th?

Maybe a point you have not considered is why did Gore really lose? I mean why was it even close at all to set the whole recount issue into motion? I think because he did not have what it takes to win. Even with his popularity now, I don't see him being courted to the same intensity as Fred Thompson. Same with Kerry. Close but no cigar. He lacked something that enabled him to win the presidency. Bush had it, at both elections. If term limits were extended, woul he have made it to 3? No. But I think very few presidents would make a third term, even if it were allowed. Not with the divisive issues. People hate the war but don't want withdrawal. If Dennis Kucinich were prez, he would fund the immediate withdrawal.

The first one to cry "racist" is usually the racist, in this case, that would be you.
---
Snappy retort. Pick it up on the playground this week?
---
"My father was arrested because he is muslim." The aclu is probably lined up outside the jail as we speak. "Here we go! Off to defend our enemy!"
---
According to your great President, the Commander-in-Chief who devised this brilliant Occupation plan, the enemy is Radical Islamo Fascists, not Muslims. If you put me in a position where I have to believe Bush or you, I'll be in a quandry. I thought you both spoke with one tongue, one voice. Are you contradicting the President? Are you a traitor?
---
Unlike you, I use only one name and use it on every single one of my posts. Just because you use several different names as well as making "anonyloon" posts doesn't mean I do it. Got it?
---
Don't take up lying, Jeff. Idiot snitches make terrible liars.

Oops, forgot to say that Kucinich will never be prez even though he has held a consistent position from which he never waivered as all have. (One with which I disagree). He does not have what it takes to hold the office.

Another error- Kerry lacked something TO enable him to win...

I see KO's terrorist-loving Liberal fan base is out in force today. They want us to believe the people arrested today weren't dangerous in the least. They obviously believe that anyone attempting to plot a terrorist attack on American soil (or anywhere else) should be patted on the head and praised. I'm sure we can expect more from Olby on Monday (if he shows up for work).

Brandon,

Remember the spiked Iranian hostage crisis? If he can't come up with a spin, it never happened, or it is so irrelevant that Paris Hilton seems much more newsworthy.

True, if Olbermann can't spin a story he simply pretends it doesn't exist. By the way, this is what the libeal-loving NY Times said about the planned attack. Read carefully children, you may learn something.

4 Men Charged in Plot to Blow Up Kennedy Jet Fuel Tanks
By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn charged today that a retired cargo worker at Kennedy International Airport plotted with a former member of the Guyanese Parliament and two other men to blow up terminal buildings, fuel tanks and the network of fuel pipelines that run beneath the airport complex.

Three of the four men, including the former airport worker and the former Parliament member, were arrested today and Friday by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and police detectives, the authorities said. The fourth man was being sought, and officials said additional people may face charges.

The airport worker, Russell Defreitas, 63, through the assistance of the member of Parliament, Abdul Kadir, was in the process of seeking the financial backing and blessing of a Trinidadian terrorist group, Jamaat Al Muslimeen. The group was behind a failed 1990 coup attempt in that country, officials said.

Several law enforcement officials said that there had been no direct threat to the airport, which handles an average of 1,000 flights a day and 45 million passengers a year, and that Mr. Defreitas, a United States citizen who was born in Guyana, and his co-conspirators had yet to obtain financing or explosives.

But the officials said Mr. Defreitas, who had long worked at the 4,930-acre airport, developing a thorough knowledge of its layout and its vulnerabilities, sought an attack that he said, according to secretly recorded conversations, would result in “the destruction of the whole of Kennedy,” an attack that only a few people would survive.

In addition to a huge loss of life — “even the twin towers can’t touch it,” he said of the plot — the attack would devastate the United States economy and strike a deep symbolic blow against a national icon, President John F. Kennedy.

“Anytime you hit Kennedy, it is the most hurtful thing to the United States,” he said in one of dozens of conversations secretly recorded during the 18-month investigation. “To hit John F. Kennedy, wow.... They love John F. Kennedy like he’s the man ... If you hit that, this whole country will be in mourning. It’s like you can kill the man twice.”

The officials said that Mr. Kadir, on the other hand, emphasized the goal of causing economic damage, and seemed to seek to minimize the killing of innocent men and women.

But a spokesman for Buckeye Partners, the company that operates the pipeline, said that an explosion at a fuel-tank farm at the airport would not ignite the pipeline.

“It’s not like the pipeline is a stick of dynamite and the whole thing would blow up,” said Roy Haase, the Buckeye spokesman. “Pipelines don’t blow up.”

The secretly recorded conversations were described in an indictment unsealed today in Federal District Court in Brooklyn charging Mr. Defreitas, Mr. Kadir and the two other men, Kareem Ibrahim and Abdel Nur, with conspiring to blow up the airport, charges for which they could face life in prison if convicted.

The charges were announced at a news conference at F.B.I. headquarters in New York by the head of the bureau’s New York office, Mark J. Mershon; the city’s police commissioner, Raymond W. Kelly; Roslynn R. Mauskopf, the United States attorney in Brooklyn; and other officials.

Mr. Mershon said, “The enforcement action that was taken today was done to prevent a terrorist plot from maturing into a terrorist act.”

Mr. Defreitas, who lives in Brooklyn, was arrested at a diner on Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn about 10 p.m. Friday. Mr. Kadir and Mr. Ibrahim were arrested earlier in Trinidad.

Mr. Kadir had been detained after boarding a flight on Aeropostal, a Venezuelan airline, which was to go Caracas, an official briefed on the arrest said today. The flight between Port of Spain and Caracas, which usually takes less than an hour, had taken off and was told to return to Trinidad, the official said.

“The devastation that would be caused had this plot succeeded is just unthinkable,” Ms. Mauskopf said. “The charges that were filed today give you a window into how these plots come about, how these plots are developed, how these plots have international connections, how this particular one spread from the United States, Brooklyn, New York, through Queens, J.F.K. Airport, abroad into Guyana and Trinidad.”

The officials described an investigation that began in January and included an undercover F.B.I. informer, who was introduced to Mr. Defreitas early in planning of the attack and who traveled to Guyana and Trinidad with him in an effort to win support for it, officials said.

The informer secretly recorded “numerous” conversations, and one law enforcement official said there was also “all sorts of electronic surveillance” of the suspects.

Mr. Kelly said that the pipeline that carried fuel to the airport “is indeed the feeding tube that nourishes international commerce” at Kennedy and La Guardia Airports. He said the police had increased their surveillance of the pipeline and storage facilities and conducted a survey to gauge their vulnerability.

The conspirators dispatched Mr. Defreitas from Guyana to conduct photo and video surveillance of the airport four times in January, officials said. Using his knowledge of the airport, he picked out targets, identified escape routes and evaluated security.

The men also used the Internet to find satellite photographs of the terminal, the officials said.

One law enforcement official played down Mr. Defreitas’s skills as a terrorist, calling him “a sad sack” and “not a Grade A terrorist.”

But he noted that his efforts to solicit the backing and blessing of Jamaat Al Muslimeen, which conducted a deadly attack on Trinidad’s Parliament during a failed coup attempt in 1990, could have had devastating consequences.

“They didn’t have the money and they didn’t have the bombs, but if we let it go it could have gotten there — they could have gotten the J.A.M. fully involved, and we wouldn’t know where it could have gone,” the official said.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg issued a statement today saying: “The fact that plotters conspired to plan an attack on John F. Kennedy Airport is another reminder that in today’s world we face constant threats from people who want to take away our freedoms and destroy our way of life. Working together, NYPD and other local and federal law enforcement agencies have been on top of this unfolding plot for months, and they deserve our thanks and praise. This plot was only in its planning stages and at no point was anyone in imminent danger. New Yorkers should be comforted that the layers of safety provided by counterterrorism officials stopped these individuals before they could do any harm to our way of life.”

Mr. Defreitas was arraigned today in a brief proceeding before United States Magistrate Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto, who ordered him detained pending a bail hearing.

Before the arraignment, a somber Mr. Defreitas walked slowly into the courtroom, his face drawn, wearing a greenish-brown knee-length tunic and loose-fitting pants. The two prosecutors handing the case, Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey H. Knox and Marshall L. Miller, argued that he should be beheld without bail.

“He is the self-proclaimed brainchild of an elaborate plot to blow up J.F.K. airport,” Mr. Knox told the judge. “His stated goal was to kill as many people as possible. The defendant also showed the determination and commitment to turn this plan into a reality.”

Mr. Defreitas’s court-appointed lawyer, Drew Carter, said that there was more to the case than meets the eye. “There’s a lot more to the story,” he told Judge Matsumoto. “I don’t want to get into this now, because it’s not a trial. “

Judge Matsumoto scheduled the hearing for Wednesday.

---Are you really that much of a conspiracy theorist?---

No, BUSHWIPES.

The point is that the authorities had these morons under watch longer than one year. Fine. They (FBI, Homeland Sec.) were doing a great job.

OWWWWH!! SHIET!!

Now they (FBI, Homeland Sec.) NEED a press conference to announce *breaking news*?

That's the funny part.

Let me repeat.

Kudos! Cheers! High Fives! to the officials in charge of USA safety, because the system now works.
However, they (FBI, Homeland Sec.) could have quietly picked up these morons without a news conference.

A news conference on Saturday over 3 or 4 muslim morons they had under watch for over 1 year?

Puuuleeeze!

Hey Name--what part of the following don't you understand exactly?

"The airport worker, Russell Defreitas, 63, through the assistance of the member of Parliament, Abdul Kadir, was in the process of seeking the financial backing and blessing of a Trinidadian terrorist group, Jamaat Al Muslimeen. The group was behind a failed 1990 coup attempt in that country, officials said.

Several law enforcement officials said that there had been no direct threat to the airport, which handles an average of 1,000 flights a day and 45 million passengers a year, and that Mr. Defreitas, a United States citizen who was born in Guyana, and his co-conspirators had yet to obtain financing or explosives.

But the officials said Mr. Defreitas, who had long worked at the 4,930-acre airport, developing a thorough knowledge of its layout and its vulnerabilities, sought an attack that he said, according to secretly recorded conversations, would result in “the destruction of the whole of Kennedy,” an attack that only a few people would survive.

In addition to a huge loss of life — “even the twin towers can’t touch it,” he said of the plot — the attack would devastate the United States economy and strike a deep symbolic blow against a national icon, President John F. Kennedy."

It is not the President to whom I was referring. Just hard-working Americans. Why should the story be hidden? Would you rather see round the clock coverage of Paris Hilton to see when she reports to jail?

Let's just say that the arrests were made with no public announcement. You would find fault with that. Secret arrests, blah blah blah

"You people are so fucking hard up for something, anything that is good news from your president that you foam at the mouth over this story."

Sorry if breaking up a terrorist plot ruins your day.

Just keep thinking evil sick thoughts.

That'll make you better.

Loser.

The liberals complain bitterly when Paris and Nicole and Lohan are in the news, claiming it's all a sinister plot by the "corporate-owned media" (which their beloved Olby works for) to keep the "real news" out of the headlines. Suddenly, all the news networks are covering this terrorist plot, designed to kill thousans of Americans, on a scope beyond 9/11, and what are they bitching about? That it's a non-story. That in a nutshell is the Olbypocrisy mindset at work for you.

Brandon, the NYT, CNN and NBC Nightly are going to great lengths to discredit the plot. Their libnut leanings are showing. Perhaps they miss the point that federal authorities uncovered the plot and found the alleged plotters. If the suspects had come to the conclusion that a pipeline bombing was infeasible, then they could have plotted another scenario. DUH!

Cheney didn't hold an immediate news conference when he accidentally shot his friend. So, I guess a terror plot foiled should not have been placed in the spotlight either.

"Let's just say that the arrests were made with no public announcement. You would find fault with that. Secret arrests, blah blah blah "

Exactly.

FBI and officials make no announcement and it'll be: "Bush is secretly taking innocent Muslims" and "Why didn't they tell the public!!"

Y'know, when Bush leaves office, these knuckleheads will have to find a new cause to live for. Gonna' be tough to deal with.

My guess is that 10 years from now when they get a flat tire or get crabgrass in their yards, they'll be yelling, "Bush!! Damned you again!!!"

Wow. BDS indeed.

Hey What Do You Care and/or Bob,

You like to cut and paste. I won't burden the site so here is the link. Olby never covered one story like this. I suppose you'll say that Sergeant Larsen has to write stuff like this to ensure his future pension. My bad. (FYI- part of the article explains that Baghdad never had 100% electricity under Saddam. He even used electricity as reward/punishment. The system needs a total rehaul).

Surge improves security, quality of life in Baghdad
Saturday, 02 June 2007
By Master Sgt. Dave Larsen
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12130&Itemid=1

Same selective memory that denies the majority of the democratic party's vote in September of 2002?

Do you deny what is in the article? Oh I forgot. You support the troops, the ones who agree with you. To hell with the others.

You both like to cut and paste. The "and" is applicable.

Throw your support behind Kucinich. He'll fund the immediate withdrawal of troops.

There are those soldiers who hold the opinion of Vote.vets and those who don't.

Here's some "good" news for the lefties saddened over today's disruption of the terrorist attack.

Rather lengthy link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_broadcasters_threatened;_ylt=Ar2FuBPeaBMjMsI5LTe5O9NvaA8F

The story is about radical Islamists in Gaza who threaten to cut off the heads of female news anchors if they don't wear