Passengers help foil attack on Detroit-bound plane; Ann Arbor woman aboard recalls what she saw
An attempted terrorist attack on a Christmas Day flight began with a pop and a puff of smoke — sending passengers scrambling to subdue a Nigerian man who claimed to be acting on orders from al-Qaida to blow up the airliner, officials and travelers said.
The commotion began as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members from Amsterdam, prepared to land in Detroit just before noon Friday. Travelers said they smelled smoke, saw a glow, and heard what sounded like firecrackers.
One passenger on the flight was Veena Saigal of Ann Arbor, according to the Detroit Free Press.
She told the Free Press she said she saw "a sturdy guy put a lock on his head."
"His pants were down," Saigal said of the suspect, calling the incident less scary and more frustrating and unorganized once passengers were allowed off the plane.
This picture shows Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on the runway after arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Amsterdam on Friday. Officials say a passenger aboard the plane was trying to ignite an explosive device Friday, causing a commotion and minor injuries.
J.P. Karas | The Associated Press
Peter Smith, a passenger from the Netherlands, said it sounded "like a firecracker in a pillowcase."
Smith said one passenger, sitting opposite the man, climbed over passengers, went across the aisle and tried to restrain the man, who officials say was trying to ignite an explosive device. The heroic passenger appeared to have been burned.
Afterward, the suspect was taken to a front-row seat with his pants cut off and his legs burned. Multiple law enforcement officials also said the man appeared badly burned on his legs, indicating the explosive was strapped there. The components were apparently mixed in-flight and included a powdery substance, multiple law enforcement and counterterrorism officials said.
The White House said it believed it was an attempted act of terrorism and stricter security measures were quickly imposed on airline travel. Dutch anti-terrorism authorities said the U.S. has asked all airlines to take extra precautions on flights worldwide that are bound for the United States.
The incident was reminiscent of Richard Reid, who tried to destroy a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001 with explosives hidden in his shoes, but was subdued by other passengers.
Multiple law enforcement officials identified the suspect in Friday's attempted attack as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. He was described as Nigerian.
One law enforcement official said the man claimed to have been instructed by al-Qaida to detonate the plane over U.S. soil, but other law enforcement officials cautioned that such claims could not be verified immediately, and said the man may have been acting independently — inspired but not specifically trained or ordered by terror groups.
All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing.
Intelligence and anti-terrorism officials in Yemen said they were investigating claims by the suspect that he picked up the explosive device and instructions on how to use it in that country. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
The man was being questioned Friday evening. An intelligence official said he was being held and treated in an Ann Arbor, Michigan, hospital. The hospital said one passenger from the flight was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, but referred all inquiries to the FBI.
Melinda Dennis, who was seated in the front row of the plane, said the man involved was brought to the front row and seated near her. She said his legs appeared to be badly burned and his pants were cut off. She said he was taken off the plane handcuffed to a stretcher.
One law enforcement official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mutallab's name had surfaced earlier on at least one U.S. intelligence database, but he was not on a watch list or a no-fly list.
The suspect boarded in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit, Peter King, the ranking Republican member of the House Homeland Security Committee, told CNN. A spokeswoman for police at the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam declined comment about the case or about security procedures at the airport for Flight 253.
Dutch airline KLM says the connection in Amsterdam from Lagos, Nigeria, to Detroit involves a change in carrier and a change in aircraft.
Schiphol airport, one of Europe's busiest with a heavy load of transit passengers from Africa and Asia to North America, strictly enforces European security regulations including only allowing small amounts of liquid in hand luggage that must be placed inside clear plastic bags.
A spokesman for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Akin Olukunle, said all passengers and their luggage are screened before boarding international flights. He also said the airport in Lagos cleared a U.S. Transportation Security Administration audit in November.
"We had a pass mark," Olukunle said. "We actually are up to standards in all senses."
Nigeria's information minister, Dora Akunyili, condemned the attempted bombing. She said the government has opened its own investigation into the suspect and will work with U.S. authorities.
"We state very clearly that as a nation we abhor all forms of violence," Akunyili said in a statement issued Saturday.
London's Metropolitan Police also was working with U.S. officials, a spokeswoman said, and searches were being conducted in that city. The spokeswoman would not provide additional details, including what connection the suspect had to London or what was being searched. She spoke on condition of anonymity in line with department policy.
University College London issued a statement saying a student named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab studied mechanical engineering there between September 2005 and June 2008. But the college said it wasn't certain the student was the same person who was on the plane.
Delta Air Lines Inc., which acquired Northwest last year, said a passenger caused a disturbance, was subdued, and the crew requested that law enforcement officials meet the flight.
Passenger Syed Jafri, a U.S. citizen who had flown from the United Arab Emirates, said the incident occurred during the plane's descent. Jafri said he was seated three rows behind the passenger and said he saw a glow, and noticed a smoke smell. Then, he said, "a young man behind me jumped on him."
"Next thing you know, there was a lot of panic," he said.
Federal officials said there would be heightened security for both domestic and international flights at airports across the country, but the intensified levels would likely be "layered," differing from location to location depending on alerts, security concerns and other factors.
Passengers can expect to see heightened screening, more bomb-sniffing dog and officer units and behavioral-detection specialists at some airports, but there will also be unspecified less visible precautions as well, officials said.
The FBI and the Homeland Security Department issued an intelligence note on Nov. 20 about the threat picture for the holiday season, which was obtained by The Associated Press. At the time, officials said they had no specific information about attack plans by al-Qaida or other terrorist groups.
President Barack Obama was notified of the incident and discussed it with security officials, the White House said. Officials said he is monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from his vacation spot in Hawaii.
Comments
Vernice
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
Ms. Murray- Who exactly are you referring to as "we"? Was there an annarbor.com staff meeting about conspiracy theory comments? And out of curiosity, is there a limit to the amount of comments per article?
billy
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 1:57 a.m.
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=282392 This is the holy book. God is great!
billy
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 1:51 a.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj2i3IwiAAc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
billy
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 1:49 a.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8w-0DKW9DA
billy
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 : 1:46 a.m.
Why have my comments been deleted? Is it because i used facts to establish my point?
billy
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 2:28 a.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULskPcqNtb0
billy
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 12:30 a.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq4y4Gi2GJs&feature=related Heres an opposite opinion
billy
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 12:24 a.m.
Here is Geert Wilders movie, which he has recieved death threats and is guarded by the dutch equivalent of the secret service. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgQdZgojOFI In memory of Theo Van Gogh
billy
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 12:13 a.m.
Hey michael, this is a dead thread. The jihadist used the koran, he was a scholar of the koran, he commited his act of terror acording to the instructions of the koran. How about a new Koran? Probably hanging out at the UM school of law trying to get a lawyer for future jihadists??
billy
Tue, Dec 29, 2009 : 1:24 a.m.
Read this book. You will understand why we are attacked. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=114839
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 11:40 a.m.
I know very little about chemistry but I am curious about a chemical detonation. I imagine that there will be some coverage about the mechanics of bomb making. It sounds like the guy on the plane might have done things wrong. I imagine he didnt bother to go to the lavatory because he figured it would happen more quickly, i.e. the bomb would have detonated before anyone realized what was going on. This incident has brought a couple things home to me: 1. It is bringing out the racist hatred in people. Over the past couple of days, I have heard people suggest that all Muslims should be on the No-Fly list, that all Arabs should be stripped searched at the airport (never mind that this guy wasnt an Arab), and so on. 2. Our airport security procedures are mostly for show and arent particularly effective. If they can't keep guys like this from coming darn near to blowing up a plane, are they worth the major inconvenience? I am all for security measures that dont take up too much time like metal detectors and the x-raying of carry on baggage. I even like those devices at DTW that detect explosives. But I imagine that now, we'll have even stricter and more cumbersome security that, like what we currently have, will have holes that anyone with a half a brain could use to circumvent the security measures. It is funny because I entertain myself at airports thinking of ways to get around airport security and sewing explosives into underpants is something I have come up with along with dozens of other ways to smuggle stuff onto planes. I wish I could say that I am deluding myself and would get caught if I actually tried to smuggle anything onto a plane but that this guy apparently was able to get on a plane with explosives in his underpants leads me to believe that I might have a high rate of success if I tried to bypass security. In the past, I just figured that our intelligence community was our strongest link and that if I actually were trying to smuggle something, they would know it and stop me or at least flag me for additional screening. I think this incident shows how wrong I was there. At any rate, I imagine that in response to people's fears, we'll see even stricter and much more inconvenient security at the airport and it will make everyone feel safe until the next time someone tries to blow up a plane.
Val Losse
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 12:02 a.m.
Wow! 88 comments on something that happened that no one knows what really happened except the people who were there and the suspect. Conspiracy theories: Stalin did not kill 20 million people, Hitler did not have 6 million Jews killed, the Second World War was started by some industrialists to make money, the death camps did not exists, Japan did not attack Pearl Harbor the US did to prove once and for all that bombers could sink battle ships. Can anyone think of some others. I guess one's head in the sand will provide all the theories you want. The World Trade Center buildings stood for an amazing 1 hour each considering the structural design of the buildings was not ment to withstand the impact of a jet liner filled with thousands of gallons of jet fuel. Steel will buckel at 800 degrees F.
billy
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 10:29 p.m.
Osama Bin Laden wanted to provoke the Us into a middle Eastern war that would bankrupt us. That is why he approved of the 9-11 attacks. The buildings were not bombed, they fell because of the damage from the impact of the planes. That is why the South tower fell first. The pilot that hit that building struck it at an angle and lower down. The First pilot just flew straight in. And the buildings were leaning before the collapse, they just buckled under and smashed floor after floor after floor. Now eight years later we are stuck in Afghanistan and Iraq, so actually Osama got what he wanted. Now Jihadists are coming out from everywhere and attacking us, following the directions from their holy book the Koran, which is not only a religion but a political idealogy of world domination. Now is that as believable as bombs being planted and the CIA killing thousands of it's own citizens? I've swallowed the "red Pill". I Think so. A good website to check out is jihadwatch.org Everything that Robert Spencer writes about comes directly from Islamic sources.
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 10:20 p.m.
Goblue here's the problem. You keep telling people to decide on their own.Most posters were not born under a mushroom and have made their decision.Unfortunately for you (I have yet to read one that agrees with you )they have not decided they way YOU want them to and you can't stand that fact.We've all seen the videos and heard all the conspiries but have decided to take other info and believe in it.Sorry but people have made their OWN decisions and they are not the same as yours
billy
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 7:34 p.m.
...People who believe in 9-11 conspiracy theories also believe in alien and zionist plots and think that were living in a fantasy world similar to the matrix, where Keanu Reeves saves the world after taking a red pill....The Protocols of the elders of Zion is a book made up of falsehoods and plagiarisms but popular among 9-11 theorie and certain segments of the middle east....The dissapearing of posts and moderation on this site is weak and politically correct and with attitudes like that we will continue to be attacked
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 7:02 p.m.
Its Goebbels
billy
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 3:51 p.m.
So somehow the Bush family, the fort hood shooter, this Nigerian, Larry Silverstein( sounds jewish....hmmm..) are all connected in a vast conspiracy involving hundreds of thousands of people to hoodwink the American people into giving up our freedom and taking over the world? Are perhaps these people involved in the conspiracy extra terrestials, like in the television show V?
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 3:12 p.m.
Goblue I was just trying to simplify the analogy.I notice that you have nothing elese to dispute.So let me try one more time if you fire a marble (.45) at 50 mph you will get a good welt.If you fire a BB (.22) at 50mph its going to break the skin and enter.BTW I prefer larger rounds but kevlar stops or slows larger rounds much more efficently than it does small high velicoty bullets they just poke a hole and keep on going expessically FMJs that do not flatten out
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 2:55 p.m.
Goblue I said powDer not poWer.More accuretly I should have said The case is 1/2 the length.I am wrong still as I was thinking of a diffrent second number referance 45-70,30-40,30-30 last number is grains of equivelent black powder. the second number in 5.56x52 and 5.7x 28 is length in mm.So as far as the amount of powDer, I was totally wrong I admit it.But everything I said was correct.I looked at the thermitic thing you posted and I have no idea what it meant.I did go to globalreasearch.ca and all it said was the authors did not comment on 9/11 theroies just it warrrented a closer review.As for youtube I use it entertainment only I do'nt base it for my decisions as you do
clara
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 2:51 p.m.
About Ft. Hood: firing more than 100 rounds at soldiers processing through cubicles in the center, and on a crowd gathered for a college graduation ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. in a nearby theater. Witnesses reported that Hasan appeared to focus on soldiers in uniform. He had two handguns: an FN Five-seven semi-automatic pistol, which he had purchased at a civilian gun store, and a.357 Magnum revolver which he may not have fired. A medic who treated Hasan said his combat fatigues pockets were full of pistol magazines. Here is a picture of the type of gun and the size of ammo, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Five-seveN_USG.jpg/800px-Five-seveN_USG.jpg that particular firearm can hold 20 rounds in a standard clip and take a ten round clip extension. Cheadle said with one clip and one round in the chamber, one could fire 31 rounds before reloading. (apparently he used 20 round magazines) FNs 5.7x28mm cartridge has been around for over fifteen years now, and the cartridge has proven to have merit as to the task for which it was originally developed, that being a lightweight, low recoil projectile designed to penetrate soft and hard personal body armor. For anyone that needs a defensive pistol that offers light recoil but good penetration and explosive expansion, depending upon the ammo fed it, the Five-seveN is a good choice. Just look at the size of these shells! Lots of powder (punch) behind each shot!
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 1:50 p.m.
GoBlue I just looked up Fn five seven 5.7x28 on youtube go look.I await your expert opion.BTW this round holds half the powder as a M-16 rifle round
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 1:40 p.m.
GoBlue I just looked up the 5.7 round it is ball aka.FMJ.This is why it can defeat kevlar.
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 1:22 p.m.
Goblue Ok I'll nit pick first guns ( with the exception of the M1 grand )do not use " clips " they use magazines.Yes the 5.7 FN can hold 20 rounds.AS for the 5.7 round (.22 cal )goes it is not the caliber that is deadly its the velocity.If you note the 5.7 is what is called a bottle neck case which holds much more powder than a 22 Lr.The 7.62x56 miltary round ( used in the M-16) is a.22.The high velocity causes what is called hydo-static shock.A good example of this is soft mud.If you throw a rock or a BB into the mud the faster you throw ( velocity )the larger the hole.If you TOSS a baseball and hit someone it probbaly will not do any damage if you THROW a baseball at high speed and hit someone you may do damage.Another thing about high velocty.22 rounds is when it hits a human the round tends to bounce around inside the body this is why and ask any veitnam vet that a.223 round can enter for example in the side and exit out of the neck.If you are going to talk about guns or ballistics you may want to look it up on youtube or the internet
DPL
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 12:16 p.m.
GoBlu - Firefighters routinely fall damaged buildings to eliminate the hazzard. And, yes, if one were to simply detonate WTC1 & WTC2 it would have been easily believable that Al Quada did it; they've tried in the past. Why don't you get it? Your theory is flawed, so now you lash out at me because it does not hold water. I win!
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 12:16 p.m.
GoBlu By your own math 15 round mags x 3 + one in chamber = 46.Add one more gun with 16 more rounds = 62.You do not have to drop both guns to reload.I know very well how hollow points work.Police depts do not use hollow points for tissue damage,or more harm to vital organs ( hunters do depending on the type of game usally small game otherwise they use some sort oF JSP )They use them because more energy is delivered to the target.Detroit used FMJ for many years I know because I was a Detroit cop they stoped because of overpenertation.By the way, I hunt own several handguns, reload shells have no idea how many books,manuals etc.. have been doing so for over 30 yrs and was a Glock armorer so I'll garuntee I know much more about guns than you do.And I got my knowledge by experance not youtube
DPL
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 12:03 p.m.
GoBlu - So, which is it, 10 or 15 rounds per gun? Maybe you should do some internet research before you post. Was Dr. Hasan "shooting fish in a barrell"? All the cafeteria occupants were unarmed and were likely first divng for cover...disarming the guy would not have been first on their lists of things to do. He would have had plenty of time to reload.
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 11:53 a.m.
Goblue reguarding the Fort Hood shooting the Govenor clearly stated that he did not have all the info infact he ststed he did'nt want to comment on shooters until things were verafied.This was also very early into reports and all facts were not known.But you take any news confrenance at any point use whatever you want.This was not the only news conferanance only the one at the very begining before all facts were known
DPL
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 11:51 a.m.
GoBlu - If WTC7 was demolishioned, that would explain why it was not in the 9/11 report; not contextually important.
DPL
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 11:45 a.m.
GoBlu - You've conveniently ignored your premise of all previous posts, that there was a conspiracy at work here. If the demolition was announced as you say, there is no conspiracy, just an owner making a due care decision based on the damaged building being now a hazzard. Still, why the need for the coordinated planes? Simply detonating WTC1 or WTC2 would have been sufficient. How do you explain the need for such a complex attack?
tdw
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 11:28 a.m.
Goblu It would take " well over 100 shots " to hit 40 people? now you're a firearm,ammuntion and ballisic expert?Let me break this down to simple math 40 shots cuold easily equal 40 people.Thats not even taking in consideration of over penetration.Did you know the reason most PD's use hollow points?its to reduce the chance of a bullet passing through one person and hitting another.Did you know ( and I'm not saying he used )that miltary ammo is FMJ ( full metal jacket )?Did you also know that in a paniac situtation envolving many people there is never a 100% story consistancy? Again what is your firearm knowledge? Yes I know a youtube is comming
DPL
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 10:55 a.m.
To GoBlu and others, those who would believe 9/11 was an orchestrated event, not an act of terror by an organization intent on destroying the United States, please consider some simple facts. 1) Large passenger planes did fly into the two tallest WTC buildings. 2) The planes were hyjacked and piloted into the buildings. 3) The WTC 1&2 collapses began at or near where the planes hit them. 4) The collateral damage of the collapsing of WTC 1&2, as it spread outward from the base site, sufficiently damaged WTC7 to eventually cause its collapse. If the "wired for demolition" conspiracy is to be true, the following would had to have happened. 1) Suicidal Hyjackers would have to have been recruited by someone, and these recruits would have to have been instructed to fly into some fairly precise locations on each building, where the wired explosives were located, or just above, to make the plane caused collapse look believable. More likely, wired explosives would have to have been placed on multiple floors to give the pilots a broad window to hit. 2) Someone watching the scene would have to detonate the explosives. If hardwired, lines would have to have been run the entire height, down through and out the building to some safe distance to a control device. If wireless, the detonator person would need to be in some close proximity to the buildings, perhaps in a hellicopter. Typical wireless signals are no good beyond say 50 yards or so; would have to be some high tech wireless device we've not been told about. Or they could have used cell phones perhaps to do the detonation. These devices would all have had to have a power source which would last for some duration, perhaps a couple months, given the time to wire it all up and leave it somewhere concealed from view. You could not count on a direct wired power supply as the planes might damage it; self contained would be required. 3) The person who detonated 1 & 2, then, would wait around for some duration after their collapse to trigger WTC7. 4) To add a little more complexity to this, the perpetrators would simultaneously fly a plane into the Pentagon and another into the ground in PA; the phone calls to loved ones, by the heroic passengers who stormed the cockpit to prevent the plane from hitting a target, that too would have to have been staged. 4) Someone would have to get Osama Bin Laden to claim responsibility for doing all this to the U.S.; probably just the attention he wanted, for recruiting; forcing himself into hiding with failing kidneys, and having virtually the whole world gunning for his head was a small price to pay. Wouldn't all this have been simpler, and just as believable, to just detonate the buildings without the planes? Terrorists had attempted bombing the center before. Why would someone go for a coordinated complex sequence of events, potentially out of ones control, when the "wired for collapse" set-up was already in place? That makes no sense whatsoever. I agree with GoBlu on one point; think for yourself. Use your common sense; usually the simplest explanation is the correct one. Is it possible 9/11 was a conspiracy, and that the universe revolves around the earth? Yes. Is either probable? No.
Technojunkie
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 7:22 a.m.
Good coverage in the UK papers: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/wealthy-quiet-unassuming-the-christmas-day-bomb-suspect-1851090.html
Mr. DB
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 6:40 a.m.
A lot of Nigerians would die to be in this guy's shoes: son of a banker (American equivalent is being the son of a retired Citigroup CEO), went to school in UCL (American equivalent is Cornell or Carnegie Mellon), dad is an alhaji (honor bestowed to those who have participated in the pilgrimage). Life was so easy for him, before this silly incident. But then again, I cannot blame Nigeria where the religious divide between the northern muslims and the southern christians has almost erupted to another civil war. When will people realize that religion is a personal affair; it is something that is found, not imposed. I believe the only solution to this religion problem is jobs. When someone has to spend too much time making a living, you think they will worry about some religious beliefs? Proof is in the relation between industrialization and moral decline.
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:59 p.m.
Goblue thank you for for proving my last scentence true.I said you could'nt answer with out bringing up youtube or a movie.You did both
AnnArBo
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:03 p.m.
Lets not over react or jump to conclusions......That is exactly what the argument was as most in our country watched Europe get steam rolled by the Nazi and led to our unpreparedness for Pearl Harbor. Its not panic to know your enemies and what their intentions are, but it is irresponsible to not do everything you can to protect yourself from those who swear to harm you. Leadership is not taking punches and hoping for change from your enemies.
Top Cat
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 9:20 p.m.
I wish our Community Organizer in Chief took the threats to Americans more seriously. I'm not blaming him for this but he just doesn't get it. I didn't care for Bush but certainly felt safer with him in charge. GoBlu obviously does not have children.
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 9:14 p.m.
Goblu I just watched the video about the OKC bombing.My question is A is the govt is so inept it leaves 3 unexploded bombs behind or B are they are so good they can fake the biggest terror attack in US history?
The Grinch
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 7:47 p.m.
Gee, my comments keep getting deleted. Guess this disproves your conspiracy, trublue. But, I'll say it again: I can find a youtube video with Santa Claus in it. Doesn't mean he exists. Is that OK, AnnArbor.com, or does that violate your sensibilities, too?
The Grinch
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 7:35 p.m.
billy: Don't let facts get in the way of a good story. Obviously ABC, being part of the mainstream media, is in on this conspiracy and is mis-reporting events. And the fact that there is no evidence whatsoever to prove that this is true is itself proof of the conspiracy. That's the wonderful thing about conspiracies--everything that does or does not happen is part of the conspiracy. Note to goblue: I'mm actually part of the conspiracy. I work for the CIA and am part of its disinformation campaign.
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 7:30 p.m.
goblue first off you've provided NO evidence at all, just youtube and movies.As far as bombs going off I think the sound of the floors failing would sound like a bomb going off.Also as for your path of most resistance thing goes even if the top floors were in fact blew up then the towers still fell in the same way.By the way if you ever heard a building falling after a controlled explosion it sounds like thunder.Again not one single of my questions answered. Here I'LL ask them again how did the huge amount of explosives needed get placed without anyone knowing?.Were the buildings empty for 2 months? How can the Government who is so inempt who can't even keep CIA info secret hide this?How can the thousands of people who would have had to be involved keep their mouths shut?Has anyone with direct involvement ever made a statement?.I'm willing that you can't answer without bringing up youtube or a movie
billy
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 7:28 p.m.
According to ABC News it was only because of a failed detonator that the explosives did not work. And Apparenty the Islamic terrorist was also linked to the same yemeni iman that was connected to the Fort Hood shooter. He was also affectionately referred to as "Alfa", which means Islamic Scholar. Obviously what we got here is a misunderstander of the religion of peace, since there were bound to be muslims on that plane.
The Grinch
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 7:13 p.m.
I think JFK brought down the WTC, bombed the federal building in OKC, and tried to bring down the Delta jetliner. AnnArbor.com: Why do my comments keep getting removed? They are no less on point and no wackier than are goblue's. Most of his have nothing to do with the Delta Jet and all of them are patently nutty. If you are going to let this discussion become a place where truly wacky conspiracy theories can be aired, then let's let them be aired.
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 5:14 p.m.
Again not a single answer,nor the type of question I was looking for.As for the Manhattan Project people knew there was something happening they did'nt know what it was.It was no secret that hundreds of people were at Los Alamos ( I could be wrong about the location)working on something, but they knew it was top secret.As for JFK just another absoutley no proof what so ever conspiristy theory.Like I said before, people claim we did'nt go to the moon yet every single thing that they claim can be explained.Same goes with WTC and JFK. Sorry about my spelling errors
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 3:05 p.m.
goblue Accutally there were 4 qquestions.When I say a " explain this " question I'm referring to a actual physcial question pertiaing to the buildings themselves
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 2:48 p.m.
Go blue I (pernsonaly ) asked you 3 questions you gave no answer to any of them.So ask me or anyone else a " explain this " question
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 2:34 p.m.
goblu would it be possible to answer my last question?
The Grinch
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 1:05 p.m.
The Port Authority Complex which consisted of eight buildings, not just WTC 1&2, were leased in July 2001 to a private cooporation responsible for management and upkeep. The Port Authority maintained ownership of the WTC. So much for a conspiracy.
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 12:54 p.m.
Goblu so your'e saying the most important financial bulidings in the world were emptied for two months?
clara
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 12:32 p.m.
List of Terror Attacks For the Past 2 Months http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/index.html#Attacks
Peregrine
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 12:32 p.m.
@GoBlu rushes to judgement claiming it's a staged event and then urges others not to rush to judgement. @GoBlu urges others to research his/her claims, says millions of others have done so and know the truth, and yet can't offer a single bit of definitive proof that this was a staged event. This is a mind entrapped by conspiracy theories at work.
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 12:28 p.m.
@ GoBlu No I don't always believe what I see.I can only decide from what info I have.I have seen and heard the conspicaty theroies I have also seen and heard explainations.I have seen experts explain how the buildig was made and how it collapsed. I have a few questions for you.Have you ever seen what it takes to blow up a building? if so how was anyone able to sneek into the buildings and wire up the huge amount of explosives it would take without anyone noticeing? Also with a government that is so inempt and can't even keep CIA secerets how can they slience the thousands of people that it would take to pull this off?Is there anyone who claims to have direct envolvement? This is like the "we never went to the moon" every thing that has been said showing we did'nt go, I've seen diproved.In fact, Mythbusters had a show on it
clara
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 12:19 p.m.
The suspect was identified as Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, who according to federal documents is an engineering student at University College of London. He was flying from Nigeria to the United States for a religious seminar.
bruceae
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 12:12 p.m.
It's a good thing the passengers were watching and grabbed this guy before he could finish. We all have to keep an eye on these people when we fly. Since the ACLU won't let us search and or just keep Muslims off planes and we can't have air marshalls on every plane you're on your own when you travel.
voiceofreason
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 11:51 a.m.
GoBlu, This suspected terrorist is actually reported to be the son of the Nigerian Central Bank Chief. Does this change your conspiracy theory at all?
tdw
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 11:34 a.m.
He may be in Ann Arbor but I highly doubt Ann Arbor.com will have access to any info before anyone else does.I hope they do keep up on this story. I want to read the forthcoming comments
Wolverine3660
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:53 a.m.
GoBlu- do you expect people to buy into your conspiracy theory?
clara
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:53 a.m.
GoBlu It was more than just firecrackers. The suspect was burned severely enough to be taken to UM burn unit.
clara
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:42 a.m.
and June 1, 2009 Little Rock, Arkansas Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, an American Muslim opened fire on a U.S. military recruiting office. Private William Long was killed and Private Quinton Ezeagwula was wounded.
clara
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:32 a.m.
Macabre Sunset: Did you miss Ft. Hood?
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:19 a.m.
It's remarkable that these groups are still trying to blow up airplanes, when they could do far more damage in other venues. Imagine what a team of snipers could do on the ground, like that guy who targeted D.C. a few years back. We're lucky that, so far, Islamic extremists appear to be incredibly stupid in their planning. I don't think we can count on their stupidity too much longer. Anyway, I guess I had better plan on buying my toothpaste and deodorant at my destination on future plane trips. No more of those tiny tubes in the zip-locks. Glad everyone's OK. Except, of course, for the moron who decided to give up his life to try and kill hundreds of innocent people.