NT

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Answers

oh...oh...oh...

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

yawn...

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Yeah, just another "we have credible information, but do details" warning.

Big deal.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Finally...

Ashcroft: deep sighs...administration has concluded that there may be additional attacks within the US and against US interests over the next week. The administration views this info as credible but it does not contain details about the attack. Advisory has been issued to the enforcement agencies. Notified law enforcement to continue on highest alert. Asks for patience of American people when they encounter additional measures taken. Urge Americans in the course of their normal activities to remain alert and notify authorities of unusual behavior. Additional securities are being taken by a number of agencies (including EPA, DOT, DOE, NRC, FAA, others). Ridge has discussed this heightened state of alert with the governors.

FBI Director: Advisable to alert enforcement and local authorities. Asking them and local communities to remain extremely vigilant and join in national effort. Can't get into source of info. Specific as to time but not as to other details. We believe this threat to be credible and therefore should be taken seriously.

[indication that the earlier warning may be related to the anthrax attacks]

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

It seemed to me that both Ashcroft and Mueller looked a lot more serious than last time, spoke more seriously, too, even perhaps a little bit scared. But maybe I was in a particularly receptive mood or something.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

A warning for this coming week, seems hard not to assume that the World Series could be in jeopardy. That's a lot of people at risk if they call it wrong, and I would think more like at Bronx stadium than in Phoenix. And some rumors (hard to imagine they're true) that Bush might try to attend.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

ABC

New Terror Warning Justice Threat Alert

W A S H I N G T O N, Oct. 29 — The nation's top law enforcement officials have issued a new warning for the nation to remain on high alert for a new terrorist attack that could come this week.

"The administration has concluded, based on information developed, that there may be additional terrorist attacks within the United States and against United States interests over the next week," Attorney General John Ashcroft said. "The administration views this information as credible, but unfortunately it does not contain specific information as to the type of attack or specific targets."

More than 18,000 law enforcement agencies around the nation were sent a "terrorist threat advisory update" cautioning them to "continue on highest alert and to notify immediately the FBI of any unusual or suspicious activity." Agencies responsible for borders and nuclear power plants, along with virtually every other arm of the federal government, were ordered to take additional security measures.

White House officials said President Bush gave the green light for the new warning after being informed of the threat this morning at a briefing with Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller, White House Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge and CIA Director George Tenet. This afternoon, Ridge convened a conference call with about 40 of the nation's governors to inform them of the alert.

Ashcroft said he hoped the alerts would serve to make Americans more vigilant and help prevent terrorist attacks, rather than just panicking the public.

"If people take these warnings seriously, they go about their lives, but they participate with patience in the additional steps that are taken by law enforcement authorities," Ashcroft said. "They are very likely participating in the prevention of terrorism and in the disruption of terrorism."

Asked whether the new warning will just scare people more than empower them, a senior White House official said, "We think the American people get it. We think they'll know what to do with it."

In light of the new warnings, Ashcroft has canceled a trip to Toronto, where he was scheduled to deliver a speech Tuesday to an international conference of police chiefs.

The last time the FBI issued such a warning was exactly one month after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Certain information, while not specific as to target, gives the government reason to believe that there may be additional terrorist attacks within the United States and against U.S. interests overseas over the next several days," the FBI said in that caution.

Mueller said that, while it's unclear what the earlier warning accomplished, he believed it was helpful.

"It is very difficult to tell, but it may have well have helped to avert such an attack," Mueller said.

Since the hijacking attacks in New York, Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania, state and federal agencies have been on the highest levels of alert.

Bush: Country Must Stay on Alert

Asked whether believed "Osama bin Laden is planning a second wave of attacks" or "all the resources now dedicated to the anthrax situation reduce the country's level of preparedness," Bush told reporters the public needs to remain vigilant.

"We believe that the country must stay on the alert that our enemies still hate us," Bush said.

Bush made the remarks at a meeting of his new Homeland Security Council at the White House, where he announced a new crackdown to secure the nation's borders. Bush announced the group will form a task force to track potential terrorists, making sure foreigners who come to America actually carry out their stated purpose for being in the United States.

The group, to be chaired by Ashcroft, is expected to conduct a thorough review of student visa policies.

"If a person applies for a student visa and gets that visa, we want to make sure that person actually goes to school," Bush said.

Hani Hanjour, who is believed to have piloted the plane that slammed into the Pentagon, paid $110 in Saudi Arabia for a visa to attend a four-week language course in California. He entered the country legally — but never showed up at school.

The Justice Department announced today that the number of total arrests and detentions related to the attacks has now reached 1,017, of whom the vast majority are still being held. The Immigration and Naturalization Service is holding 179 on immigration violations.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said today that "more than 150 countries are cooperating in the financial war against terrorism. More than 80 blocking orders have been issued by various nations; $24 million has been blocked."

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Thought I heard Ashcroft put emphasis on the "nuclear reg. commission" when he read off the list. Was I hearing things?

Agreed about Ashcroft looking *much* more serious this time. Mom and I were discussing about how terrible he looks, the bags under his eyes are huge. Whatever the threat is, it must be an awful one!

P.S. Wanted to also say that Mom and I thought Ashcroft did a wonderful job though, especially stressing that "...the American public is mature enough, and we *trust* them to be able to appreciate this warning, etc....". Most refreshing to hear (though I wish the circumstances were *much* better)!

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

>they participate with patience in the additional steps that are taken by law enforcement authorities," Ashcroft said.

What does anyone make of this quotation? Is he talking about random road blocks with vehicle searches? Searching people before they enter entertainment events and work places?

I suppose that I'll find out.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

I think he was just referring to airport delays and heightened security at the World Series and other big-crowd events.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001