DocBarrister wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 9:26 am
All this fuss over the Taliban retaking control over Afghanistan, and almost nothing on the Taliban taking over Texas.
DocBarrister
Wasn't the Taliban - it was al Qaeda:
Texas Governor, Law Enforcement On High Alert In Wake Of Al Qaeda Threats ... "Texans should go about their daily lives as usual, but remain vigilant," he says in light of CBS report on planned strikes in Texas.
https://patch.com/texas/downtownaustin/ ... da-threats
Gov. Greg Abbott and law enforcement agencies issued statements on Friday in the wake of a report that al Qaeda could be planning attacks in Texas, New York and Virginia in the run-up to the general election.
"My office is working with law enforcement officials and we are continuing to monitor the situation in close coordination with the Texas Department of Public Safety," Abbott wrote. "Texans should go about their daily lives as usual, but remain vigilant over the next several days and report any suspicious activity to state or local law enforcement."
Abbott's missive comes in the wake of a CBS News report that U.S. intelligence officials are warning that the terrorist group al Qaeda could be planning attacks in Texas, as well as New York and Virginia. However, the credibility of the intelligence has not been confirmed, CBS News acknowledged.
The Austin Police Department also issued a statement, saying they were working in tandem with state and federal counterparts to safeguard the region.
"The Austin Police Department continues to monitor the reported threats directed towards next week's national elections," the APD statement read. "We are working closely with all our public safety partners, both locally and federally. APD had already enhanced our security posture for next week and will make any necessary additional adjustments if the need arises. It is important for our community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior or activity."
Texas Department of Public Safety officials, meanwhile, broke protocol in detailing their own actions in the wake of the report, if only to assuage an anxious public, the agency said in a prepared statement.
"While we do not typically discuss security issues, we can say that DPS is constantly in touch with fellow law enforcement and intelligence officials, including our Joint Terrorism Task Force partners," agency officials wrote. "DPS is continually monitoring events involving potential public safety impacts across the state and nation. We can also assure Texans that we adjust our level of vigilance to meet any potential or emerging threats, and will also adjust our security measures as threats warrant.
Whether or not the threats are credible, they fit a pattern from such groups typically issuing ominous missives during events of high turnout from the general public. High-profile events such as the upcoming election for president on Nov. 8, holidays and sporting events yield rich fodder for terroristic narratives about imminent attack toward suffusing the public mood with fear and anxiety.
At times, state lawmakers only add to the anxiety in response in succumbing to such terrorist-related fears or latching on to peripheral matters for political gain. In September, Abbott pulled Texas out of a longstanding pact with the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program that was working to resettle Syrian refugees -- largely women and children -- fleeing from political violence.
Abbott posited at the time that he had been given inadequate assurance (a contention disputed by federal officials) that the influx of refugees didn't pose a danger to the state while suggesting terrorists might be among the diaspora. Officials involved in resettlement of refugees countered Abbott's assertions by providing Patch with a multi-page letter containing safety assurances they had sent Abbott as well as describing the rigorous process of vetting would-be refugees before they enter the U.S.
In terms of the disputed credibility of the al Qaeda missive, officials assured they are on alert regardless.
"The counter-terrorism and homeland security communities remain vigilant and well-postured to defend against attacks here in the United States," a senior FBI official told CBS News. "The FBI, working with our federal, state and local counterparts, shares and assesses intelligence on a daily basis and will continue to work closely with law enforcement and intelligence community partners to identify and disrupt any potential threat to public safety."
CBS noted that local police nationwide were notified earlier this week that "polling places" can be seen as "attractive targets" for "lone wolf"-type attacks.
Abbott said state law enforcement also was at the ready should their resources be required to combat a terrorist attack: "The State of Texas will continue to do everything it can to ensure the safety and security of its citizens," he said in ending his prepared statement.
DPS officials also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, providing points of contact in reporting suspicious activity.
"As always, every citizen has an important role to play in helping to thwart illicit activity, and we encourage Texans to remain vigilant. If anyone observes any suspicious activity," officials wrote in their statement. "They are urged to contact their local authorities or report it through Texas' iWatch program at
www.iwatchtx.org or by calling 1-844-643-2251."
As in the days of McCarthyism, the hate filled right wing paranoia said there was a communist (now an al-Qaeda operative) in every street corner, in every pulpit, in every lecture hall, in every closet, and under every bed. Right wind delusionalism at its very worse.
Oh what I would pay to see you call one of these people "a-hole" to their face...
Thanks him for keeping his promise.
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