Government Doubts Threat on NFL Stadiums

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by melbo, Oct 19, 2006.


  1. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    I hope they're right
    OSB


    Government Doubts Threat on NFL Stadiums

    By LARA JAKES JORDAN
    The Associated Press
    Wednesday, October 18, 2006; 10:56 PM

    WASHINGTON -- An Internet message claiming that seven NFL stadiums will be hit with dirty bombs this weekend was met with "strong skepticism" Wednesday by government security officials.

    With nothing to indicate an imminent attack, local authorities and stadium owners were alerted "out of an abundance of caution."

    Dated Oct. 12, the posting was part of an ongoing conversation titled "New Attack on America Be Afraid." It appeared on a Web site called "The Friend Society," which links to various online forums and off-color cartoons.

    The message said trucks would deliver radiological bombs to stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland _ and that Osama bin Laden would later claim responsibility.

    Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the threat was being viewed "with strong skepticism," but the agency contacted the NFL, local authorities and stadium owners "out of an abundance of caution." The NCAA, which oversees college athletics, said it was also notified.

    "The department strongly encourages the public to continue to go about their plans, including attending events that involve large public gatherings such as football games," Knocke said.

    FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said the threat was "questionable" and was discussing it with the NFL as "part of our routine discussions this week."

    NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said stadiums around the country "are very well protected through the comprehensive security procedures we have in place, including secure facility perimeters, pat-downs and bag searches."

    Officials were made aware of the Web posting on Oct. 16. The threat was timed to be carried out on Sunday, Oct. 22, marking the final day in Mecca of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.

    "The death toll will approach 100,000 from the initial blasts and countless other fatalities will later occur as result from radioactive fallout," the posting read.

    It said al-Qaida would automatically be blamed for the nearly simultaneous attacks and predicted, "Later, through al-Jazeera, bin Laden will issue a video message claiming responsibility for what he dubbed 'America's Hiroshima.'"

    The posting noted that all but one of the stadiums _ Atlanta _ are open-air arenas, adding: "Due to the open air, the radiological fallout will destroy those not killed in the initial explosion." The retractable roof in Houston has been closed for all games so far this season.

    Several NFL teams and stadium owners acknowledged that they were in contact with federal officials, including the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates Giants Stadium, the home of the Jets and Giants.

    In Indianapolis, where the Colts were preparing for a home game this weekend, head coach Tony Dungy said, "I've been waiting for this to happen for a couple of years now and you try and handle the security and put it out of your mind."

    "We'll let the security people do their job, and we'll do our job," Dungy said. "We've got a lot of confidence in NFL security and our own security here."

    Raiders senior administrator Artie Gigantino said there would be no noticeable increase in security this weekend at Oakland Coliseum.

    "But if we say we are going to do something different or obvious," he said, "it wouldn't be security anymore."

    Minnesota linebacker Napoloeon Harris, who will play with the Vikings this Sunday in Seattle, said he's never felt threatened as a player, but understands why the league was alerted despite the threat's questionable credibility.

    "After 9/11, you've really got to take everything serious," he said. "You really can't take for granted your security. That's just the way I look at it. Especially something of that magnitude."

    Authorities traced the site's Internet provider back to Voxel Dot Net Inc., which has support and engineering staff based in Troy, N.Y. A man who answered the phone at Voxel, who declined to give his name, said he was unaware of the posted threat on the Web site and refused further comment.

    The author of the threats, posted at 9:31 p.m. EDT on Oct. 12, identified himself online as "javness."

    "In the aftermath civil wars will erupt across the world, both in the Middle East and within the United States," javness wrote. "Global economies will screech to a halt. General chaos will rule."

    The nation's general alert level remains at yellow, signaling an elevated risk of an attack. The threat level for airline flights is at orange, where it has been since a foiled plot to bomb U.S.-bound commercial jets was revealed on Aug. 10.

    ___

    Associated Press sports writers Dave Goldberg and Ralph Russo in New York, Kristie Rieken in Houston, Josh Dubow in Alameda, Calif., Dave Campbell in Eden Prairie, Minn. and Michael Marot in Indianapolis contributed to this report.
     
  2. ghostrider

    ghostrider Resident Poltergeist Founding Member

    Milwaukee Man Questioned in Football Stadium Threat

    Milwaukee Man Questioned in Football Stadium Threat

    Thursday, October 19, 2006
    [​IMG]
    WASHINGTON — The FBI was interviewing a Milwaukee resident Thursday believed to be responsible for posting what officials think are phony threats on a Web site about radiological dirty bomb attacks on NFL football stadiums this weekend.
    The person, described only as a young adult, did not appear to have any ties to terrorist groups, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.
    The threats, which were posted on the Internet site a week ago, were not seen as credible and were not backed up by intelligence indicating such an attack might be imminent, according to the FBI and the Homeland Security Department.
    Homeland Security on Wednesday alerted the NFL and authorities in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, saying they were acting "out of an abundance of caution."
    Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke on Wednesday said the threat was viewed "with strong skepticism." Still, the agency contacted the National Football League, local authorities and stadium owners. Also notified was the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
    The online posting, dated Oct. 12, was part of an ongoing conversation titled "New Attack on America Be Afraid." It appeared on a Web site, "The Friend Society," that links to various online forums and off-color cartoons. The site's Internet provider declined to comment.
    The message said trucks would deliver radiological bombs to stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland — and that Al Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden would claim responsibility.
    A dirty bomb would use conventional explosives to scatter radioactive material. Such a blast probably would not cause many deaths, experts say, but the fear of contamination could spark panic. Land and buildings hit with radioactive particles might be unusable for years.
    Authorities traced the site's Internet provider to Voxel Dot Net Inc., which has support and engineering staff based in Troy, N.Y. A man who answered the phone at Voxel Wednesday declined to give his name, said he was unaware of the posted threat and refused further comment.
    The author of the threats, posted at 9:31 p.m. EDT on Oct. 12, identified himself online as "javness."

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  3. 155gunner

    155gunner Monkey+++ Founding Member

    There are no NFL games played in NY. They are all in NJ. I think this is a hoax (I hope).
     
  4. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    But I also believe it's .gov SOP Not to tell us if something like this were known. Too much panic and chaos for us sheep to handle
     
  5. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Yup.... I read Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, seats 104k, is hosting Ut vs Alabama 3:30pm est on Saturday.... so that's a close by pucker factor day and time... if you believe any of the warnings.... can never remember it that's close to you or not.... geography was not my best subject.....;)

    Pretty frustrating.... Warning.... dirty nukes simultaneously at football games this weekend... but not credible sources.... but we thought we better pass it along.... to the media and the stadiums... oh and the public.... but its not credible.... then one full day of MSM discussion and speculation.... more speculation, more worry, more terror threats on the tv..... then the next day... oh we have the guy who owns the website.... oh never mind... sorry... guess we should have checked our facts and talked to the guy before we sent out the warning.... its a hoax.... oh ... by the way... did we mention its an election year..... by the way... Wes Snipes cheated on his taxes and the guy who got speared by the stingray is doing fine.....
    Oh... yeah... Iraq is looking very similar to the Tet offensive... but let us clarify what we mean.... and Condi says NK behavior is "unacceptable".... but how many times has their behavior been "unacceptable"..... Dow is in record breaking territory... dollar is doing fine.... stocks are stellar.... real estate is not a problem... borders are o.k...... SHEEEEEESH!!!!;)

    The above post is intended for entertainment purposes only and in no way reflect the opinions of the flesh and blood person writing the text. All writings under the screen name "Bear" are merely a characterization of the personna created.
     
  6. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    Was Neyland Stadium specifically mentioned Bear?
    I couldn't ever find Lou's list.

    My son will be there and I am "supposed" to take my wife as well.

    Yeah. That's close to me.


    Spot on in your assessments of the media/.gov reporting of all of the above. IMHO
     
  7. ghostrider

    ghostrider Resident Poltergeist Founding Member

    Nailed it on the head, less political risk publicizing a hoax, announcing we have investigated, than some wire service picking up on the story. By the time Jayson Blair, editor of the New York Slimes got through with the story, Osamayomama himself was going to be parking the truck with the bomb. OSB
     
  8. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Neyland was part of the speculation when the threats came out....
    Can't remember where I saw it.... but supposedly there are a couple major highways or routes into and around it... so in and out is a consideration or just messing up travel....

    Don't forget the NK tanker we're all worried about..... yesterday its dirty bombs, today its suspicious ships with suspicious cargo.... but by tommorrow that ship should be nothing to worry about:rolleyes: , just waiting for an all new bird flu scare or some other threat to scare the "villagers into come a running with their pitchforks "..... this "cry wolf" thing is getting tired... and its a dangerous game to play.... election or not.....;)
     
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