Plot to blow up planes foiled - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

TheCommodoreAfro · 08-10-2006, 06:16 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778575.stm

Apparently up to 10 planes were targeted in the plot, and 21 arrests have been made in the UK. That said, they haven't gotten the "key targets" who are still at large. According to the news here they had brought assemblable explosive gears in innocuous items such as Ipods and cans of soda.
If you're flying to the UK, especially if you're coming from NA, today's not your day. You can't bring carry-ons on the flight, and there will be some intense security.

Good morning and welcome to today's news story.

icarus · 08-10-2006, 06:27 AM

Aw man, I am so glad I was at Heathrow two weeks ago instead of now. Must be a nightmare there. My timing in the UK has been fortunate. Last year I was at King's Cross station five days before the subway bomb there.

Lanny_MacDonald · 08-10-2006, 06:48 AM

Something does not smell right here. This is the exact same plot that Ramzi Yousef proposed back in 1994 dubbed "Operation Bojinka" by western intelligence. Back then it was considered impossible to pull off as it took too many assets, too much technology, and too precise an on board detonation to work.

Yousef went as far as to attempt a proof-of-concept trial run by blowing up a flight bound for Japan (PAL 434). He boarded a flight in Manila, built his bomb while on the flight (consisting of a liquid explosive in a contact solution bottle and a digital watch), planted it under his seat and then de-planed in Cebu. The bomb detonated, killing the passenger in the seat, but not having enough explosive power to damage the fuel tanks in the plane and taking it down.

Authorities have been wise to this plot now for over a decade and sophisticated equipment to detect explosives. All of a sudden it becomes a serious threat? Terrorists are supposed to be on the run and they have now been able to pull together the plot that Yousef and a "functioning" al Qaeeda could not when they had the elements of suprise and invisibility working for them? There was no elevation in alert status and no bulletins of possible threats. You don't break a 50 person operation over night. There are warning signs when that's going to happen. Something just doesn't smell right.

Flash Walken · 08-10-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Something does not smell right here. This is the exact same plot that Ramzi Yousef proposed back in 1994 dubbed "Operation Bojinka" by western intelligence. Back then it was considered impossible to pull off as it took too many assets, too much technology, and too precise an on board detonation to work.

Yousef went as far as to attempt a proof-of-concept trial run by blowing up a flight bound for Japan (PAL 434). He boarded a flight in Manila, built his bomb while on the flight (consisting of a liquid explosive in a contact solution bottle and a digital watch), planted it under his seat and then de-planed in Cebu. The bomb detonated, killing the passenger in the seat, but not having enough explosive power to damage the fuel tanks in the plane and taking it down.

Authorities have been wise to this plot now for over a decade and sophisticated equipment to detect explosives. All of a sudden it becomes a serious threat? Terrorists are supposed to be on the run and they have now been able to pull together the plot that Yousef and a "functioning" al Qaeeda could not when they had the elements of suprise and invisibility working for them? There was no elevation in alert status and no bulletins of possible threats. You don't break a 50 person operation over night. There are warning signs when that's going to happen. Something just doesn't smell right.

Great post. I ****ing love when I really learn something in one concise post.

Lanny_MacDonald · 08-10-2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Great post. I ****ing love when I really learn something in one concise post.

Thank you, I'll be here all week. And for my next number...

FlamingLonghorn · 08-10-2006, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Something does not smell right here. This is the exact same plot that Ramzi Yousef proposed back in 1994 dubbed "Operation Bojinka" by western intelligence. Back then it was considered impossible to pull off as it took too many assets, too much technology, and too precise an on board detonation to work.

Yousef went as far as to attempt a proof-of-concept trial run by blowing up a flight bound for Japan (PAL 434). He boarded a flight in Manila, built his bomb while on the flight (consisting of a liquid explosive in a contact solution bottle and a digital watch), planted it under his seat and then de-planed in Cebu. The bomb detonated, killing the passenger in the seat, but not having enough explosive power to damage the fuel tanks in the plane and taking it down.

Authorities have been wise to this plot now for over a decade and sophisticated equipment to detect explosives. All of a sudden it becomes a serious threat? Terrorists are supposed to be on the run and they have now been able to pull together the plot that Yousef and a "functioning" al Qaeeda could not when they had the elements of suprise and invisibility working for them? There was no elevation in alert status and no bulletins of possible threats. You don't break a 50 person operation over night. There are warning signs when that's going to happen. Something just doesn't smell right.

well if you have been watching the news the claim is they were most likely targeting ppl on the plane not the plane itself and maybe they get lucky and cause a breach. also who is claiming this was a 1 night operation? bush was briefed about it last weekend

kermitology · 08-10-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sowa

well if you have been watching the news the claim is they were most likely targeting ppl on the plane not the plane itself and maybe they get lucky and cause a breach. also who is claiming this was a 1 night operation? bush was briefed about it last weekend

The quote I heard from the head of the investigation didn't say that at all... That the purpose was to bring down the planes. Something that it would be an unprecidented loss of life. (This was on CKUA this morning).

Lanny_MacDonald · 08-10-2006, 08:38 AM

Threat level JUST elevated.

Gugstanley · 08-10-2006, 09:48 AM

This was a massive surveilence operation for a quite some time. Might have hit the press over night but it wasn't uncovered over night. Of course Lanny the expert, and extreme negative western critic will argue his point forever. I just hope he can throw in a Thomas Jefferson quote before noon.

Neeper · 08-10-2006, 10:10 AM

Now they are not letting any liquids on board period. No shampoo, no contact solution...etc. Only baby food and medicine.

jolinar of malkshor · 08-10-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Something does not smell right here. This is the exact same plot that Ramzi Yousef proposed back in 1994 dubbed "Operation Bojinka" by western intelligence. Back then it was considered impossible to pull off as it took too many assets, too much technology, and too precise an on board detonation to work.

Yousef went as far as to attempt a proof-of-concept trial run by blowing up a flight bound for Japan (PAL 434). He boarded a flight in Manila, built his bomb while on the flight (consisting of a liquid explosive in a contact solution bottle and a digital watch), planted it under his seat and then de-planed in Cebu. The bomb detonated, killing the passenger in the seat, but not having enough explosive power to damage the fuel tanks in the plane and taking it down.

Authorities have been wise to this plot now for over a decade and sophisticated equipment to detect explosives. All of a sudden it becomes a serious threat? Terrorists are supposed to be on the run and they have now been able to pull together the plot that Yousef and a "functioning" al Qaeeda could not when they had the elements of suprise and invisibility working for them? There was no elevation in alert status and no bulletins of possible threats. You don't break a 50 person operation over night. There are warning signs when that's going to happen. Something just doesn't smell right.

Good lord man.

I guess it must be GWB trying to rally up support. It must have been the CIA. eh lanny.

Ozy_Flame · 08-10-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

Now they are not letting any liquids on board period. No shampoo, no contact solution...etc. Only baby food and medicine.

Which is fine, because I don't understand why airlines would allow anyone to bring outside liquids that they sell themselves. Doesn't make sense from a business perspective.

Baby Formula and medicine are givens though, you can't really prevent that stuff from boarding. Unless of course you're bringing baby formula with you and you don't have any children - then that's just wrong =)

ken0042 · 08-10-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Which is fine, because I don't understand why airlines would allow anyone to bring outside liquids that they sell themselves. Doesn't make sense from a business perspective.

OK, now I'm curious as to which airline you fly where they offer shampoo for sale.

So, does this mean I can't take shampoo with me when I go on vacation? Or are they just referring to carry on bagage?

Mccree · 08-10-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

OK, now I'm curious as to which airline you fly where they offer shampoo for sale.

So, does this mean I can't take shampoo with me when I go on vacation? Or are they just referring to carry on bagage?

I beleive it just means carry on but not exactly sure.

HelloHockeyFans · 08-10-2006, 10:45 AM

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...810?hub=Canada

Domestic flights in Canada are also subject to the new 'no liquid' rules. In addition, past security check-points, there will no longer be the sale of any liquid good.

Crap, I'm flying out to Vancouver tomorrow afternoon. I guess I can expect delays.

Lanny_MacDonald · 08-10-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Good lord man.

I guess it must be GWB trying to rally up support. It must have been the CIA. eh lanny.

Thank you for putting words in my mouth. Did I say Bush or anyone else was responsible? Nope. All I said was that something doesn't seem right.

Sidney Crosby's Hat · 08-10-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...810?hub=Canada

Domestic flights in Canada are also subject to the new 'no liquid' rules. In addition, past security check-points, there will no longer be the sale of any liquid good.

Crap, I'm flying out to Vancouver tomorrow afternoon. I guess I can expect delays.

Does anyone else think this is a complete joke? You can't buy coffee, pop or juice past checkpoints now? Is this going to be a permanent thing?

Aren't there something like 8 Tim Horton's Kiosk's past security in the Calgary airport? What about restaurants that are past security?

jolinar of malkshor · 08-10-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...810?hub=Canada

Domestic flights in Canada are also subject to the new 'no liquid' rules. In addition, past security check-points, there will no longer be the sale of any liquid good.

Crap, I'm flying out to Vancouver tomorrow afternoon. I guess I can expect delays.

It's just temporary.

Lanny_MacDonald · 08-10-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gugstanley

This was a massive surveilence operation for a quite some time. Might have hit the press over night but it wasn't uncovered over night. Of course Lanny the expert, and extreme negative western critic will argue his point forever. I just hope he can throw in a Thomas Jefferson quote before noon.

Wow, sure got me there. Oh, and he's your Thomas Jefferson quote.

"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

Textcritic · 08-10-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...810?hub=Canada

Domestic flights in Canada are also subject to the new 'no liquid' rules. In addition, past security check-points, there will no longer be the sale of any liquid good.

Crap, I'm flying out to Vancouver tomorrow afternoon. I guess I can expect delays.

Flying to Manchester on Sept. 5 myself. What are the chances this whole thing will have blown over by then? I do not relish 9+ hours on a plane without my computer.