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Terror Alert in Boston

The F.B.I. is searching for four Chinese nationals in Boston in connection with a possible terror threat.

State, federal and local authorities were seeking four Chinese nationals wanted for questioning in connection with a possible terrorist threat to the Boston, Massachusetts, area Wednesday, but they said the source of the information was "unknown and uncorroborated....The FBI and the U.S. attorney's office identified the subjects of the search as Zengrong Lin, Guozhi Lin, Wen Quin Zheng and Xiujin Chen. None have appeared on government "watch lists," according to a joint statement.

Few details are available:

In Washington, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told reporters an anonymous phone tipster reported that all four had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico. "The source is anonymous," he said. "But it is specific in that it mentions a location where individuals were dropped off -- the location is New York -- and it identifies a location where a threat might be directed in -- the location is Boston."

This sounds familiar:

He described the information that triggered the alert as "uncorroborated," and its reliability as "uncertain."

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  • Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 05:27:16 PM EST
    The CNN article mentioned that they got here via the Mexican border accompanied by two Iraqi's. What's it going to take before we stop coddling the people who walk right in on us? We are so wound up with P.C. that it's going to hurt us, people. We need to quit wringing our collective (no pun intended for the red ones out there)hands over this and do something about it.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 06:35:26 PM EST
    To timsantabarbara: Europe and Asian countries has neighbours also. They have tragedies and still they manage to cope. So quicker the US learns to treat their neighbours right, maybe they will rewarded you with some security. Try being nice to your neighbours first. Then you may be rewarded with your own peace and security. Is that a deal.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 06:47:35 PM EST
    So an unsubstantiated claim from an anonymous tipster in Mexico becomes cause for alarm? Please. Maybe he smuggled some guys in and they "forgot" to pay him?

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 06:52:24 PM EST
    Doctor Ace: Oh, that's right, I suppose the Dems would be to blame for that, too. It's fearmongering, pure and simple. And it implies what I've been saying all along: despite BILLIONS spent on homeland security, we are less safe today than we were before invading Iraq. You want more safety? Then change U.S. foreign policy. A cogent, respectful, multi-lateral, and rational foreign policy is the best safety money can buy. Anything else is a facade. Also, let me see if I get this straight: if something now happens, then the administration is somehow off the hook - because they warned us of these people, these swarthy foreigners? Like they have been warning us in all sorts of watercolor shades? I really don't have much faith in a government that swore to find Osama dead or alive and has yet to nail Mr. Anthrax - though he was using a strain specifically designed by U.S. germ labs. After all, there is MORE incentive for this government to allow a terrorist attack to occur, if only to ramp up its now flailing war machine. And which country would be next? Or maybe it would be grounds to initiate a real draft. These war criminals have lost ALL credibility.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#6)
    by glanton on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 07:03:19 PM EST
    Lavocat writes: "After all, there is MORE incentive for this government to allow a terrorist attack to occur, if only to ramp up its now flailing war machine." One would give worlds for this to be a ridiculous statement. Sadly, it stands as cogent analysis. How did we get here? Are we to blame, or is it the rulers?

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#7)
    by glanton on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 07:13:36 PM EST
    fearmongering always makes us less safe.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 07:17:12 PM EST
    Doctor Ace: You underestimate the average American. Most people understand my point of view. Most people agree with it. All it takes is the will to stop being afraid, the will to stop accepting the government's lies as holy writ. That fearmongering makes us less safe is so patently obvious, that it's almost not worth responding. It's called a downward spiral. It's what transmuted 9/11 into the invasion of Iraq. At some point, to avoid being found out, the fearmonger has to make good on his lies. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. And if you can't find a fear, you manufacture one.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 07:22:57 PM EST
    once again everyone is wrong and ace is right..what was that phrase the only thing we have to fear.. oh I dont know..

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 07:24:14 PM EST
    Doctor Ace: For when you awake ... Really, let's forget the safety angle of fearmongering. Let's ask WHY a responsible government would feel compelled to STOOP to fearmongering. After all, one of our greatest presidents put it quite succinctly: we have nothing to fear but fear itself. In other words, fear the fearmongers - they do NOT have the nation's interests at heart. The fearmonger's sole goal is to steer you away from his hidden agenda. He's the man behind the curtain engaging in misdirection. Ironically, we SHOULD be afraid. But not of the fears the fearmonger is dreaming up - of the fearmongers themselves.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#12)
    by glanton on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 07:26:49 PM EST
    I love it when the GOP boot lickers refer to dissenters as toadies. If that nutbag Hannity ever gets pneumonia or something, I think the Doctor would make a helluva temporary replacement: "Think for yourself!" they holler, in between spouting government talking points.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 07:37:27 PM EST
    Doctor Ace: Not afraid, angry. And I have a very good memory. And there are tens of millions just like me. And you are deluded if you think this is sour grapes over the Dems' loss. You may recall that while I felt Kerry was a better choice than Bush, I thought he was only marginally so. I sure as hell didn't vote for him. I went so far, in MANY posts, to state that - as painful as it was going to be - in the long-term, a Bush victory was going to be a win for America not BECAUSE of Bush but IN SPITE of Bush. America is like a sleeping giant or a person with a very long fuse. It takes a lot to wake the giant or to light the fuse. But once you do ... Kerry countered Bush's emotional populism with elitist rationalism. Bush would have lost to a fellow populist. Like Edwards. All we need is another, more honest, less fearful populist to rise up. And four more years of Bush is very fertile ground. And the Reps are so caught up in their self-congratulatory mode that they are doomed to overreach, as such types always do. It's happening in Iraq, it's happening with Social Security, it's happening with just about everything. The Bush administration has been sowing the seeds of the destruction of conservativism and I, for one, am glad that they have been given another four years in which to do so.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 08:15:01 PM EST
    deleted, 22 comments today by Dr. Ace who is limited to four. The first four will stay, the remainder are being deleted. Sorry Dr. Ace, but you know the rules.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 08:40:53 PM EST
    I have several reports about border infiltration here. Those who want to ignore those reports will be the first to complain that not enough was done if something happens.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 09:14:24 PM EST
    SEE VDARE, and hope for the best in all things, Help!

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 09:49:51 PM EST
    Lonewacko: Okay, then the operative question is WHY would we have to worry about border infiltration, other than the fact that the empire is waging war? Prior to Bush, "infiltration" meant illegals. Now it means potential WMDs. If you create imperialist foreign policies, they will come. And if they do not come, create the fear of them coming and accomplish the same thing: self-fulfilling prophecies.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#17)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 02:19:45 AM EST
    In Washington, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told reporters an anonymous phone tipster reported that all four had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico. Has the new season of "Crank Yankers" started up already?

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 05:35:31 AM EST
    Lavocat writes - "You underestimate the average American. Most people understand my point of view. Correct. "Most people agree with it." Wrong. If you doubt me, see who is being sworn in as President. You also write - "Then change U.S. foreign policy. A cogent, respectful, multi-lateral, and rational foreign policy is the best safety money can buy." Do you have any proof of this? I mean I have heard no terrorist leader say: "We'll quit if you do." In fact, I have heard the opposite. Read what OBL said to Petter Arnett in this 3/97 interview; "REPORTER: Mr. Bin Ladin, will the end of the United States' presence in Saudi Arabia, their withdrawal, will that end your call for jihad against the United States and against the US ? BIN LADIN: The cause of the reaction must be sought and the act that has triggered this reaction must be eliminated. The reaction came as a result of the US aggressive policy towards the entire Muslim world and not just towards the Arabian peninsula. So if the cause that has called for this act comes to an end, this act, in turn, will come to an end. So, the driving-away jihad against the US does not stop with its withdrawal from the Arabian peninsula, but rather it must desist from aggressive intervention against Muslims in the whole world. Link to complete interview. Note the "whole world" comment. And understand that "whole" means "whole." No peace unless we let radical Moslems do what they desire. That, Lavocat, is called surendering.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 06:50:04 AM EST
    I guess the China invasion will begin anyday. Wait, they can actually defend themselves, and have the ability to strike back on US soil. Scratch that, we can invade Cuba instead!

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 07:28:40 AM EST
    "deleted, 22 comments today by Dr. Ace who is limited to four. The first four will stay, the remainder are being deleted. Sorry Dr. Ace, but you know the rules." Sure, TL, it's your site. I cannot help but observe, however: -the flow of some threads is now broken, -the site is now 22 insights poorer in favor of the Lavs, glans, and Ernies of the world, -you know what Hawthorne said about a foolish consistency...

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 07:51:51 AM EST
    PPJ writes to Lavocat: "Do you have any proof of this"? [that "A cogent, respectful, multi-lateral, and rational foreign policy is the best safety money can buy."?] "I mean I have heard no terrorist leader say: 'We'll quit if you do.' In fact, I have heard the opposite. Read what OBL said to Petter Arnett in this 3/97 interview [where Arnett asks if OBL will cease and desist with our withdrawal from the Arabian Peninsula]; Then PPJ engages in one of the most infuriating tactics of non-thinkers. He takes an OBL quote that supports Lavocat's statement;
    The reaction came as a result of the US aggressive policy towards the entire Muslim world and not just towards the Arabian peninsula. So if the cause that has called for this act comes to an end, this act, in turn, will come to an end.
    but ignores this section and Bolds the following:
    So, the driving-away jihad against the US does not stop with its withdrawal from the Arabian peninsula, but rather it must desist from aggressive intervention against Muslims in the whole world.
    NOW, I'm not saying that OBL is just waiting for us to play nice and he will too. It's too late for that. The point is, if I can speak for you Lavocat, that for the last hundred years, starting, I think with Britain's screwing over Arabs by promising them independence if they fought for liberation from Turkey then renigging, we have engaged in colonialist foreign policies in the Middle East to satisfy our need for oil and our geopolitical ambitions - as if the birthplace of western civilization were an undeveloped third world entity. We have not promoted democratic policies but given our blessing and support to the whores and warlords willing to pillage their countries resources to our best advantage. In addition, or as part and parcel to these policies, we have made HUGE mistakes and miscalculations - such as funding the "Afghan freedom fighters" against the Russians (these fighters are the basis of OBL's Mujahadeen and Al Queda), Supporting then abandoning the Shah of Iran, and wheeling and dealing with Saddam. It's too late to stop this Osama. But we do have the ability, if not the collective will at the moment, to prevent future Osamas from emerging. REGARDING BOSTON: I live here. I've never seen anything so ridiculous in my life! All the news stations leading with "The report is uncorroborated, unsubstantiated and based on an anonymous tip - but is receiving a lot of attention from the news media so we're covering it" (so basically reporting on their own reporting). Then interviewing the mayor, the govenor and anyone who will talk with all of them saying "this is no different than hundreds of other tips we get - except that someone leaked this one to the media[my emphasis]."

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 09:22:12 AM EST
    mfox: well said. Just so you know, I've got family in the Boston area, so I DO find these reports a tad annoying though not unsettling. Now, if I can only figure out how to link texts, I'll be okay. Never said I was computer literate.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 09:34:42 AM EST
    "Once again everyone is wrong and ace is right." Now you're catching on, Greg. I'm glad we could clear that up.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 11:45:01 AM EST
    mfox - Glad to see you defending OBL. But... Read the last sentence. "So, the driving-away jihad against the US does not stop with its withdrawal from the Arabian peninsula, but rather it must desist from aggressive intervention against Muslims in the whole world." OBL has previously stated what he considers to be injuries. He now brings in the Arabian pennisula, and says that even if we do all these things, including withdrawing: "it (US) must desist from aggressive intervention against Muslims in the whole world." Let me break that down so even you can understand. You have done all these bad things. Plus you have occupied the Arabian pennisula. But even if you quit doing bad, and even if you leave the pennisula.....YOU MUST NOT TELL A MOSLEM WHAT HE CAN AND CAN'T DO. Hope that clears up your misconceptions. But, somehow I doubt that you care capable of understanding that this a clash of cultures in which one side, the radical Moslem side, will not allow any give and take. Because if they do, they have offended their religion and are bound for eternal hell.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#25)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 12:30:19 PM EST
    When was the last terror alert? Just before the election? Christmas?

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 20, 2005 at 06:29:44 PM EST
    Che, I believe that was when the exit pollsters were predicting a Kerry win.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 02:05:32 PM EST
    ace if you dont want your comments deleted drop TL some cash its that simple. I am sure they would be more than willing to let you take on more than 4 posts.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#28)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 03:42:05 PM EST
    Dr Ace sez...the site is now 22 insights poorer in favor of the Lavs, glans, and Ernies of the world, Anatomically speaking, the two biggest glans posting here are you and PPJ. :P

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 04:58:17 PM EST
    It was a big fat loudly annouced hoax.

    Re: Terror Alert in Boston (none / 0) (#30)
    by jondee on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 06:02:13 PM EST
    Che - Beat me to it. I think we should all keep a close watch on the no.of terror alerts in this post-election year;not that ANY discepency will make a difference to the by-any-means true-believers like Ras,PPJ,et al.