CIA Boss says Al Qaeda recruiting "western" fighters

United States
March 30, 2008 4:51pm CST
CIA Director Micheal Hayden says that Al Qeada is recruiting and training fighter that could pass for Westerners and get through our borders without attracting attention. http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN3032631620080330?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews Do you believe Al Qaeda is still a threat to America or is this just scare tactics by the Bush administration in order to keep us at war? Since most people seem to scoff at the war on terror I have to wonder what people think about news reports such as this. Is terrorism still a threat to America or is it something that we should not be concerned about?
2 people like this
6 responses
• United States
31 Mar 08
So, the CIA is worried about Al Qaeda recruiting 'western fighters? How about they worry concerning Al Qaeda running a stealth candidate for President? No, I'm not saying Obama is a secret Muslim spy. He's not a Muslim or actually associated with Al Qaeda. However, he might as well be in that his actions as Commander in Chief will be exactly what Al Qaeda wants. Obama has a lot in common with Al Qaeda even though he is not currently a Muslim. It's time for more people to understand that. 'Western' looking terrorists are the least of our problems, though certainly they are a problem. Sorry about getting off track. It's just that I do think the War on Terror is still a serious problem. I also know from history that if a naive sympathizer gets elected leader of a country, the enemies of that country redouble their efforts in anticipation of success. Who needs that? Keep up the good work of keeping people informed that there still is a war on terror. We just are having enough success that the lack of attacks here has lulled people into apathy.
2 people like this
• United States
31 Mar 08
You haven't gotten off track at all, because this is a real problem now, and well could be even a bigger problem as time goes on. If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, then it stands to reason that the friend of my enemy is my enemy. What worse enemy could we have then a real live Manchurin Candidate, willing or otherwise. The only thing worse would be one that was too naive to know better, and that would seem to cover both Obama and Clinton at a minimum, although the minimum would be bad enough. I can not say what Obama is or isn't, but I can say that there are Muslim ties by the supporters and friends that he has. Those Black Activist/Militant groups that support him are Muslims. You are exactly correct about the enemies of America are redoubling their efforts in anticipation of this election. The recent violence in Iraq is testimony of that. I have also seen where they want Obama to be elected, and Iran's president has said he would have preferred Gore to have been elected over Bush so that the issues would be the environment instead of terrorism. These people are well aware of the lack of concern by the liberals and they know that they can do whatever they want with a democrat in office. Liberals are well known to be sorely lacking when it comes to our national security, and the terrorists know it. Apathy is what got us attacked on 9-11. Did you know that Clinton knew of the plans to use hijacked airliners as missiles against us 6 years before it actually happened and did nothing about it? Clinton was an abysmal failure as president, yet so many prefer that appalling lack of leadership over Bush. Go figure...
3 people like this
• United States
31 Mar 08
Vote McCain 2008.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Mar 08
Yep.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Mar 08
I can't for the life of me understand why people think a war on terror is a bad thing. How soon so many Americans forgot the images of 911. I most certainly think America is still a threat as long as Islam teaches it's followers that America and freedom is the enemy. http://www.terrorismawareness.org/know-about-jihad/
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Mar 08
Lol, is this how Islam teaches peace to their children? http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1729.htm It also has a link to this video titled What Really Happened in The Middle East http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/ I have learned a lot from it and this also. Jimmy Carters War Against the Jews. http://www.terrorismawareness.org/jimmy-carters-war/
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Mar 08
Why yes.... After all, peace can only be achieved by the total elimination of your enemies, and once your enemies have been destroyed, then you have peace. They have to teach the children these things in order to continue the fight.... and as long as they do then terrorism will be a threat to all who oppose them. Somewhere I have a link to a site that explains the Islam religion of peace. IT says basically that Muslims live in the house of peace and non-Muslims live in the house of war. Therefore Islam is a religion of peace... if you are a Muslim.
2 people like this
• United States
31 Mar 08
America seems to have forgotten however. The liberals say that we are fear mongering and that we have no business fighting in Iraq. The Muslims say that their "religion" is a "Religion of Peace", and that the terrorists are merely extremists and do not represent the "True Muslim". People are trying their best to destroy Christianity under the guise of Separation of Church and State while simultaneously embracing the Muslim religion and indoctrinating school children into acceptance and embracing the Muslim religion while also teaching them that Jihad is a good thing (California 7th graders). That link (which I saved) is only one of many examples of so-called anti-Muslim propaganda intended to created hate and distrust of Muslims. The war on terror is very real, and it is going to be with us for a very long time. I noticed the word Crusaders in a few of those signs, and a lot of people seem to have forgotten the historical Crusades against the Muslims, and even more have forgotten that the crusades were a result of Muslim agression. This is not a new war, it is a very old war... and it is one that we have been involved in for a very long time. There are a lot of things people either don't know or haven't realized, and it is time that they woke up to reality concerning terrorism and the threat that it represents. That link should also alert people to the very real threat that Iran represents to Western Civilization... these are more than just slogans and statements of a madman, these are the expressed wises and desires... but more importantly... these are the INTENTIONS of the Muslim world and always have been, which is WORLD DOMINATION by the Muslims. That is the ultimate goal, and it has been throughout the entire history of the Muslim existence. It is just too bad that so many fail to see the whole picture, and want to pass this all off as Bush's fault.
2 people like this
@Phlamingho (7825)
• Denmark
30 Mar 08
That sounds very likely. I'm sure they'll continue to develop new mothods to act out there horrible attacks. But then again - these stories may just be media stunts to let us all think we need to fight terror hard. Harder than relaly nessecary.
• United States
31 Mar 08
I can't help but wonder what you consider harder than necessary, because to me we need to fight terrorism until it is no longer a viable threat to us. If that means it takes 100 years then that is what it will have to be, because it is not an optional choice to make simply out convenience.
2 people like this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
1 Apr 08
Hello Destiny, What I find conspicuously missing from this article is the "Other Than Mexican" illegal immigrant link. "Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, says that he recently confirmed with FBI Director Robert Mueller that "a number of individuals from countries with al-Qaida connections are changing their identities. They're changing their Islamic surnames for Hispanic surnames, adopting false Hispanic identities . . . and hiding among the flood of illegals coming over our border and disappearing into the country." "Maxwell said it was impossible to know with any certainty how many terrorists had entered the United States illegally. But USCIS has documented an immigration route through the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico that could be exploited by foreign intelligence services and terrorists, with the complicity of U.S. immigration officers." "In sworn testimony before House International Relations subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation on April 6, 2006, Maxwell said that his office had received complaints of "USCIS employees providing material support to known terrorists or being influenced by foreign intelligence services." "A big part of the problem, Royce added, was that "those deciding applications are under enormous pressure to reduce the backlog," and are told to "move the applications as fast as you can." I would urge all to read the article in its entirety: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/1648954/posts Though, the al queda - MI13 link is not to be underestimated! "[i]Officials suspect MS-13 makes money by shuttling illegal aliens across the Mexican border into the United States. According to local police, several Middle Eastern men have been arrested at the border with MS-13 members during the past year, leading some to believe that terrorists are piggybacking on South American illegals to enter the United States."[/i] http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1321119/posts If the adjusting illegal immigrant routes aren't sufficient cause for concern, then re-reading the words below, reminds me that the radical sect within Islam will never cease to effort themselves toward terror. NEVER! "According to him, the Prophet, with an army of 10,000, was proceeding towards Mecca in extreme secrecy when a small reconnoitring party of the Koreish, headed by Abu Sufyan, fell in with Al-Abbas, the Prophet?s uncle, issuing forth from the latter?s encampment. Al-Abbas wanted ?to save Mecca from destruction?. He persuaded Abu Sufyan to accompany him to the Prophet and ?seek quarter from him?. This was in the evening prior to the surrender of Mecca. Next morning, Al-Abbas took Abu Sufyan to the Prophet. What took place is best described in Muir?s language: ??Out upon thee Abu Sufyan!? exclaimed Mohammad as the Koreishite chief drew near; ?hast thou not discovered that there is no God save the Lord alone?? ?Noble and generous Sire! Had there been any God beside, verily he had been of some avail to me.? ?And dost thou not acknowledge that I am the Prophet of the Lord?? questioned Mohammad. ?Noble Sire! As to this thing there is yet in my heart some hesitancy.? ?Woe is thee!? exclaimed Al-Abbas; ?it is no time for hesitancy, this. Believe and testify forthwith the creed of Islam, or else thy neck shall be in danger!?? " http://www.bharatvani.org/books/jihad/ch5.htm Is jihadi terrorism still a threat to the USA? You bet it is! Though we should remember Bin Ladin's most recent taped message indicating that the target has changed, with the new bullseye pinned to the tail of Europe! http://wap.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19346551.htm This concerns me deeply, regarding the strength & resolve of our European brethren, and Europe's history of 20th century appeasement policies. I sincerely hope that I'm wrong!
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
1 Apr 08
Fooey! I did it again! Though, I checked my code three times. OK, please bear with me as I explain my own -- Doh!!! This paragraph should not be italicized, as they are my own words. "If the adjusting illegal immigrant routes aren't sufficient cause for concern, then re-reading the words below, reminds me that the radical sect within Islam will never cease to effort themselves toward terror. NEVER!" As well, the last part of the response should not be italicized. Again, my own words. So, the quotes end after the passage about the Prophet Muhammad. Sorry for the confusion, folks.
• United States
1 Apr 08
Yes, I remember that "other than Mexican" illegal immigration problem as there were a couple of discussions about it a week or so ago. That Mexican border is going to remain a real threat until we can get it sealed, and even then there are the constant threat of tunnels under the border. Europe is always going to be a target, as is every Western nation, simply because the goal of Islam is world conquest. They want the entire world to be under Muslim control, and there is no room for anyone who is not Muslim. This is not a new goal, this has been the overriding goal since Islam was first invented. Jihad terrorism is a threat that will be with us for a very long time, and our survival depends on fighting the threat at least to a standstill. As to appeasement, Europe may very well find out what appeasement is really all about. I believe I addressed appeasement policies in a recent discussion, but it is enough to say that seeking peace through appeasement is the fastest method of being defeated that I can think of, because once you resort to appeasement you have already defeated yourself. These people understand one thing only, and that is violence.
2 people like this
@ltmoon (1008)
• United States
30 Mar 08
Yes al Qaeda is trying to recruit lighter skinned Arabs that can pass for northern Mediterranean - Greek, Italian, and Spanish - heritages. Looking especially for Spanish speakers that can be inserted via Mexico.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Mar 08
You are correct in this... Mexico is going to be a major threat until we can get that border sealed. Yet every time a conservative politician mentions this they are accused of fear mongering.
2 people like this
@mizrae (587)
• United States
1 Apr 08
I do not believe any of this for a minute. Our government is using these "scare-tactics" to subvert more and more of our constitutional rights; those very rights that the majority of Americans seems to have forgotten. We are at a cross roads, and I for one am not buying into these lying campaigns any longer. WE have been engaged in a war all right, but that war is here at home as well as the loss of life for our children and the innocent Iraqs. These lies have to stop, especially for the future of a free America!
• United States
1 Apr 08
In other words you are saying that this administration is lying about everything, and as such anything from any source including our intelligence gathering organizations is not to be trusted or believed. This socialized education has been going on long before the Bush Administration and you know it! This has been going on for at least 60 years, yet you blame Bush for it? You need to look to Congress for that, because they are the ones who have been guiding this agenda, not a 2 term republican president. It is the DOE and the liberals who are demanding the socialized education and are trying to outlaw homeschooling, because they have and agenda to fulfill that does not allow for freedom of thought and personal morality. As far as our constitutional rights, they have been under attack since at least the 1930's, so it isn't Bush pulling those strings. In fact come to think of it, our constitution took a major hit when Lincoln started a war over secession of the South, so this constitutional rights thing is nothing new. There are a lot of threats to our rights, and Bush is the least of those. Both parties have agendas, and none of them are real good for individual freedoms.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Apr 08
So you think the threat of terrorism is nothing m,ore than a Bush lie, and that 9-11 never happened, and that our borders are not at risk? The war is anywhere the terrorists are, and the threats to our borders is well documented and established, so what is there not to believe?
2 people like this
@mizrae (587)
• United States
1 Apr 08
please do not put words into my mouth! I did not say I do not believe 911 happened! It did, but I am also concerned with our constitutional rights being subverted all in the name of "War on Terror". I did follow the links posted above and believe there is terrorism; but the Bush administration and other powers that be ARE mandating a "socialized" education in our public schools all across the nation not just in California (by the way, more and more states are ruling homeschooling is illegal); they are promoting the Patriot Act to include "domestic terrorist including extreme constitutionalist"; they are changing regulatory policy that benefit corporations to the detriment of the average American; they are leaving our borders wide open yet infringing more and more on MY civil liberties (the Real ID act); just to give a few examples. What is there not to believe? I do not believe this administration is telling us the truth!