By Larry Johnson
closeAuthor: Larry Johnson
Name: Larry Johnson
Email: larry_johnson@earthlink.net
Site: http://NoQuarterUSA.net
About: Larry C. Johnson is CEO and co-founder of BERG Associates, LLC, an international business-consulting firm with expertise combating terrorism and investigating money laundering. Mr. Johnson works with US military commands in scripting terrorism exercises, briefs on terrorist trends, and conducts undercover investigations on counterfeiting, smuggling and money laundering.
Mr. Johnson, who worked previously with the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism, is a recognized expert in the fields of terrorism, aviation security, crisis and risk management.
Mr. Johnson has analyzed terrorist incidents for a variety of media including the Jim Lehrer News Hour, National Public Radio, ABC's Nightline, NBC's Today Show, the New York Times, CNN, Fox News, and the BBC. Mr. Johnson has authored several articles for publications, including Security Management Magazine, the New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. He has lectured on terrorism and aviation security around the world, including the Center for Research and Strategic Studies at the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, France. He represented the U.S. Government at the July 1996 OSCE Terrorism Conference in Vienna, Austria.
From 1989 until October 1993, Larry Johnson served as a Deputy Director in the U.S. State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism. He managed crisis response operations for terrorist incidents throughout the world and he helped organize and direct the US Government’s debriefing of US citizens held in Kuwait and Iraq, which provided vital intelligence on Iraqi operations following the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Mr. Johnson also participated in the investigation of the terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103. Under Mr. Johnson’s leadership the U.S. airlines and pilots agreed to match the US Government’s two million-dollar reward.
From 1985 through September 1989 Mr. Johnson worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. During his distinguished career, he received training in paramilitary operations, worked in the Directorate of Operations, served in the CIA’s Operation’s Center, and established himself as a prolific analyst in the Directorate of Intelligence. In his final year with the CIA he received two Exceptional Performance Awards.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security. He taught at The American University’s School of International Service (1979-1983) while working on a Ph.D. in political science. He has a M.S. degree in Community Development from the University of Missouri (1978), where he also received his B.S. degree in Sociology, graduating Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1976.See Authors Posts (889) on July 10, 2007 at 11:01 PM in Al Qaeda, Current Affairs, Homeland Security, Uncategorized
by
Larry C Johnson
Where is Paul Revere when you need him? Surely someone should ride and alert the neighbors. AL QAEDA IS COMING!! AL QAEDA IS COMING!! Apparently not content to let the Brits have all the fear factor fun, the Bush Administration is jumping on board the scary train. Booooooo, Al Qaeda. Sure glad that no matter what we do to fight the terrorists (you know, fight them over there . . .) those tenacious bastards make zombies look lazy and unfocused. No matter how many we kill they keep coming and keep organizing.
So here is the story courtesy of ABC’s Brian Ross:
- Senior U.S. intelligence officials tell ABC News new intelligence
suggests a small al Qaeda cell is on its way to the United States, or
may already be here.
- But, according to the White House, there is no credible evidence of an imminent threat.
Just to help clear things up we have Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff telling the editorial board of The Chicago Tribune that he had a “gut feeling” about a new period of increased risk. (Did he go to Mexico and did he drink the water? Just asking.)
So what does this mean?
Let me state at the outset that I am not recommending we ignore Al Qaeda. We should be killing or capturing their operatives. But if they are actually here (or coming) we then need to ask, “Why has the Bush Administration been asleep at the switch and why is Osama still running around loose”?
Let me suggest an alternative theory. Some malevolent, media savvy jihadi sympathizers have been watching us with great amusement since the two bozos failed to blow themselves up or kill anyone in the London/Glasgow terrorist fiasco. They now realize they only need to pass on seemingly credible threats and we, like the tigers chasing each other round the tree in Little Black Sambo, will turn ourselves into pancake batter. The aspiring terrorists do not have to do a thing beyond generate the threat. We’ll inflict the rest of the wounds ourselves on ourselves.
Forget the duct tape. Grab your diapers and Depends. Start crapping yoursselves. The terrorists are coming or they are already here or they are not really a threat. It don’t matter. Just run around in a circle screaming.
The failure of the Bush Administration to handle these threats with some measure of professionalism (i.e., work the problem, don’t alarm the public, and catch the bad guys) without spilling their guts to the nearest media personality gives terrorists hope and keeps security consultants fully employed. Gee George, thanks buddy.
Larry,
These guys could mess up a wet dream. Don’t put it past them to be playing the fear card and still be negligent in the approach to something…
Without OBL the Bush Fascists would not be able to play the IslamoFascist BoogeyMan card.
Be afraid…
Be afraid…
Be afraid…
Bah, we should string these traitors, Bush and Cheney up by their political guts and let the Ravens eat their eyes.
This whole thing has Karl Rove written all over it.
Thank you Larry for calling this what it is - CRAP.
I’d like to give a big F*ck You to Chertoff, Cheney, Rove and the rest of you behind the scenes morons out there that think this is going to scare us. Yall’s thinking is if we have another terrorist attack, then everyone will get back in line and this will shut everyone up. WRONG - we won’t be standing behind the administration this time.
Well, either way, BushCo wins, right? If they terrorists are here or on their way, it’ll be easier for the administration to strip away some more of the Constitution. And if they’re not really a threat…diggety dog, the surge has won! Let’s get BP and Shell in there to let them start mopping up all that privatized Iraq oil mess we made.
As usual you have surpassed yourself, Larry.
Key phrase - “keeps security consultants fully employed”.
Everyone read and reread and keep that in the memory banks.
Shame the Bush clan do not consider such “due diligence” when it comes to local disasters that could killed up to 50,000 (well, mostly ‘black’ people).
How did Katrina finish up, BTW? Are the prisons well stocked with duly processed inmates now? Have the land owners all reclaimed their land? Have the negligent government paid fair and reasonable compensation to all those effected by Katrina?
“gut feeling” used to be a shorthand for “based on everything I know about the subject.”
Since the brave new Bush admin took power, however, it increasingly seems to mean, “because I want it to”, Dear God help us.
Larry writes: “They now realize they only need to pass on seemingly credible threats and we, like the tigers chasing each other round the tree in Little Black Sambo, will turn ourselves into pancake batter.”
Butter. As a furious Tiger Lobby has pointed out, this vicious story has contributed heavily to the false belief that you can turn tigers into anything by chasing them around a tree, but still, it was butter.
Don’t forget also to yell……
THE SKY IS FALLING…..
THE SKY IS FALLING…..
THE SKY IS FALLING….
….I’d like to give a big F*ck You to Chertoff, Cheney, Rove and the rest of you behind the scenes morons out there that think this is going to scare us. Yall’s thinking is if we have another terrorist attack, then everyone will get back in line and this will shut everyone up. WRONG - we won’t be standing behind the administration this time….
Bush’s buddy, Jose Maria Aznar from Spain ended up exiled in Washington, DC after the Madrid attacks when millions of angry Spaniards stormed the parliament.
I’d like to see even more Karma come back and bite Chertoff on the ass like it did when he proved his incompetence during Katrina — in of all places, David Duke’s state!
Official government foofarow to make us distrust one another and strangers.
(see Mc Carthy, Cohn, et al)
Better yet, go rent the original Don Siegal-directed INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (with Kevin McCarthy). That’s how Karl, Dick, Shrubbie and the boys want us…nervouse, xenophobic and compliant.
….Some malevolent, media savvy jihadi sympathizers have been watching us with great amusement since the two bozos failed to blow themselves up or kill anyone in the London/Glasgow terrorist fiasco. They now realize they only need to pass on seemingly credible threats and we, like the tigers chasing each other round the tree in Little Black Sambo, will turn ourselves into pancake batter….
Again, Queen Noor (aka American citizen, Lisa Halaby) seems to enjoy having her picture taken with Jordanian “terrorists”. Jordanian families are real proud of it too, as they would never allow a loved one to go off on a mission without his picture of Noor in tow.
I love the Little Black Sambo analogy……my father used to read me the story when i was young. The Sambo restaurants all had to change their names in the late 60’s, except for the original one in Santa Barbara which i think is still in business.
“But, according to the White House, there is no credible evidence of an imminent threat.”
I don’t know, Larry. Considering the Bush track record as a nearly perfect negative barometer, I’d say we may be in for a major “terrorist” attack, albeit of the Ed Lansdale / “make war” / covert ops variety.
And of course, that would fit in quite neatly with the contingency plans developed to attack Iran in the event of ANY such “incident”, attributable to Iran or not.
Of course, the ultimate question is whether the American people would buy into this nonsense all over again, or whether they’d effectively respond, “Fool me once, shame on you …”
The Sambo restaurants all had to change their names in the late 60’s
Hey, guess why?
Still I gotta say, the tigers in the Sambo story is an apt reference: the crowd in and around the White House have been reminding me of a minstrel show, oh, only about a dozen or so times a week since 2004. I just can’t figure out who Mr. Interlocutor (the head [AHEM] minstrel) is …
We have more reason to fear our own government than to fear Al Qaeda in this particular case: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6279
…..Just to help clear things up we have Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff telling the editorial board of The Chicago Tribune that he had a “gut feeling” about a new period of increased risk…..
I wonder if Baldy has any ideas about how to grow another hair on his head.
“Let me state at the outset that I am not recommending we ignore Al Qaeda. We should be killing or capturing their operatives. …”
Larry: Doesn’t the latter strongly imply a “presumption of guilt” for individuals merely ACCUSED of association with what is nowadays largely a fictitious entity? As you’re undoubtedly aware, the term “al Qaeda” itself has been rendered a relatively meaningless buzzword — a bogeyman “catch-all” that serves more to reinforce the propaganda notion of an awesome, insidious “common enemy” than anything else. (And oh, how the State does value that “unifying” theme of the common enemy!)
Moreover, do we yet have ANY credible evidence that Usama bin Laden was actually behind 9/11? (If so, I haven’t seen it, though many Americans seem to believe that his culpability is well established, based strictly on unsubstantiated White House claims.) The reliable testimony I’ve seen, on the other hand — specifically, Norman Minetta’s “Does the order still stand?” revelation — clearly identifies DICK CHENEY as the man ultimately responsible for the success of the Pentagon attack!
So, was September 11 merely an example of that traditional CIA OPC “fun and games” mentality come home to roost?
I am thinking executive privilege has got to have some sort of applications here. The plot may thicken on the 11th.
Hey! Leave Sambo out of this!!
I can’t dismiss his gut feeling, or what I would call prior knowledge.
On September 7, 2004, I published a four part series of articles titled, New Jersey and Terrorism…Perfect Together, in which I exposed Chertoff’s link to a New Jersey man who was accused of having ties to Osama Bin Laden and whose name had also come up in a federal weapons sting called Operation Diamondback.
http://www.opednews.com/duncan_013005_chertoff_questions.htm
it never ceases to amaze me that so many of us, having lived through the cold war, have turned into such fools regarding a bunch of guys living in caves.
We once had an actual enemy who could inflict terrible damage on us, and no one was hiding under their desks (well, except for school drills)
Hi Larry
You make some interesting points there.
My name is James Harrod and I work for the BBC World Service radio station in London. We have a daily show “World Have Your Say”, which is a programme actively encouraging a global conversation.
As part of today’s programme we are looking at Al-Qaeda.
We’re asking specific questions:
Are we over-estimating or under-estimating the threat of Al-Qaeda?
Following the failed bombings in London and Glasgow, are we blowing the threat of al-Qaeda out of all proportion?
Are we being manipulated by AQ propaganda, or are too many of us in denial about the frightening nature of the worldwide menace? What shows the true face of Al Qaeda - their resurgence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and north Africa….or the recent bungled attempts in London and Glasgow?
I see on your blog you have a very active interest in terrorism issues, and I was wondering whether you’d like to take part in our discussion. We would refer to you as a blogger and name your blog as well.
If you are interested, please e-mail me james.harrod@bbc.co.uk or call on (+44) 20 7 557 0635 and I can call you back.
Many thanks
James Harrod (Producer, World Have Your Say)
Larry,
it’s all about ‘m-o-n-e-y’ as in BIG money the homeland security business has become. a cottage industry full of we won’t ask no questions grants and contracts, to we don’t care about results as long as it ‘looks good’ in a power-point presentation govt. contracts. fraud, waste, abuse, rico statute violations, etc.. shhhhh, see we’re not supposed to know that the chertoff minion running the show is all about how they’re ripping off as many of our taxpayer dollars as they can and not getting caught by we the public at large.
I think that one of the Dem candidates needs to make a reference to Chertoff’s warning. Maybe say something like:
“I have a gut feeling that if there’s another strike in the US, it will be the direct result of the President’s incompetence in the waging the WOT.”
But I’m not holding my breath. Dems seem so reticent to nail this bastard. What are they afraid of? Don’t they read the polls?
It’s a shame that it takes a Michael Moore, who’s been mocked and vilified by the press for years, to talk back to the MSM.
Well there is a bright side to Chertoff’s gut feeling…
At least he’s no longer a federal judge with a lifetime appointment!
Using his intestimal barometer to make public policy is just so much, uhm, ill-wind.
Pavlov demonstrated conditioned response with dogs. Ringing a bell every time they were fed, resulted in they’re getting excited every time the bell rang, even with no food. I bet dog owners already knew this.
Today we’re being trained to be the dogs; just like we were in the fifties and sixties. People would shout ‘commie’, the way someone might shout ‘fire’ in a theater. Now the word ‘communist’ has been replaced with ‘terrorist’.
Who would’ve guessed the Bushies would have a “gut feeling” about an upcoming “terrorist attack” right before the 2008 elections.
QUICK OT: Jim Webb’s amendment is on the floor of the Senate now. Webb is speaking. C-Span2
Didn’t Chertoff already prove his wisdom and good judgment, back in Katrina? Look how well that turned out. Clearly we all should trust his gut now, since he’s been doing a heck of a job all along.
This is just another one of those attempts by the Bush administration to distract us from something else. Another one to add to the Olberman file. There so much bad news for the President that it’s hard to know what we’re not supposed to know.
Remember what happened after the First attack against the World Trade Center? We had leaders that reassured us not to worry. That everything was being handled by law enforcment and very quickly we saw arrests of those responsible. Caught BEFORE they were able to pull off a string of attacks they had planned for New York. All the while, not violating our civil rights nor any shredding of the Constitution.
What a difference leadership makes. If only…
Larry writes: “the failure of the Bush Administration to handle these threats with some measure of professionalism (i.e., work the problem, don’t alarm the public, and catch the bad guys)…”
—-
It never ceases to amaze me how the Bush administration is able to capitalize on their failures.
For example: How is it that Rumsfeld can admit not going after bin Laden in Pakistan, even though they knew exactly where he was, because they didn’t want to jeopardize relations. Yet no one accuses them of aiding the enemy? But the GOP repeatedly points out how Clinton didn’t go after bin Laden for fear of killing the wrong people. Therefore Democrats are terrorist enablers.
And why, for example, is it that New York City, the number #1 al Qaeda target, continues to be stiffed by the Bushies on terrorism funding? Why is the money going to Kentucky and Nebraska instead?
http://rawstory.com/showarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.atlargely.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fthe-devil-and-t.html
Susan,
Heard Republicans are filibustering Webb’s bill. #@$#@#^&(*)(!!!
The GOP puts party ahead of the troop welfare. Then they say they support the troops. I think fewer and fewer people are buying it.
This “BOO Alert Headline” Just In…
Chertoff just got a real bad belly ache and thinks that Ql Queda has infiltrated ALL of the food sold in United States supermarkets, fast food and restraunts.
Farmers are urged to burn their crops.
Chertoff is also urging everyone to stop eating; to go under their beds and to …
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid!! Thats An Order!!
This concludes this Alert of the BOO Warning System.
Hopalong,
Be sure to go shopping too. You can do it under your bed online.
Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie Thompson wants to know what color code to use for Chertoff’s gut?
“What cities should be asking their law enforcement to work double shifts because of your “gut feeling?” Are the American people supposed to purchase duct tape and plastic sheeting because of your ‘gut feeling?’”
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Homeland_security_chair_responds_to_Chertoffs_0711.html
One of the most interesting statements I’ve ever read was in the book, The One Percent Doctrine, where Mr. Suskind mentioned that the one thing no one wanted to talk about was Bush’ popularity rating in the US tracked evenly with Osama’s popularity rating in the Arab/muslim world.
Another lil tidbit:
“Ron Suskind noted that the CIA analysis of the video led them to the consensus view that the tape was designed strategically to help President Bush win reelection in 2004. Deputy CIA director John E. McLaughlin noted at one meeting, “Bin Laden certainly did a nice favor today for the President.” Suskind quoted Jami Miscik, CIA deputy associate director for intelligence, as saying “Certainly, he would want Bush to keep doing what he’s doing for a few more years.”[2]”
wiki 2004 Osama bin Laden video
So over all, it seems Bush can finally say with confidence: “I have Osama exactly where he wants me.”
Leslie & Susan,
Just got under the bed with my laptop and speed ordered plenty of bags of Ducktape and Plastic to cover the house.
Took a while getting the leg braces off to get under the bed. It was so much easier in the ’60s when all I had to do was just put my head under my school desk to “save” myself from those A-Bombs!!
Sure hope I got enough Ducktape to cover GI Joe LIE-berman’s mouth from ever moving again with his spewed lies and false war hopes.
Amazing how many NeoCons are showing their love for this war on the Senate Floor - especially those who never served or have anybody from their family serving!!
Think the Draft would wake-up ALL of America about some “far away country” known to a few as IRAQ? Wonder how many American Idol viewers can find Iraq on a map?
Tom
Perhaps one of the best spy movie dialog exchanges that I can remember is when a younger, cold war era intelligence officer is listening to an older, WWII era intel officer talk about what he did in WWII. “Do you miss that type of action, sir?” the younger spy asked. “No, I miss that type of clarity,” the older spook replied.
What I truly miss from public officials these days is perspective. I guess when politics drive your every breath, and when cable news has to fill 24 hours 365 days a year, the latter fiercely competing for viewers, a lack of perspective such as we are now witnessing is not such an unexpected outcome. Whenever I heard senior government officials characterizing Al Qaeda as “the greatest threat that we’ve ever faced,” however, I long for some public official to say something like, “objectively speaking, sub-prime mortgages are probably more of a threat than Al-Qaeda.” Perhaps I’ll tune in to CNBC.
senior intelligence official. to an entity that calls itself ABC, this might mean an old guy that appears to be smart and wears a suit.
retired, that is 3 Days of the Condor, from the book 7 Days of Condor
and it was all about a shadow government using select CIA agents to monitor the oil in the mideast in case it ran out so that they could steal it for the people of America, who would demand it. “war games” they were called
Since we know Get Smart inspired numerous real world gadgets, I would guess this book or movie was the inspiration for the neoboy’s that have no imagination. It is a nearly identical scenario that we have now, post game.
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