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The Spectacle Blog

The "Religious Institutions" That Al Qaeda Targets

By John Tabin on 10.29.10 @ 6:07PM

As you probably know by now, the President made a brief statement this afternoon regarding suspicious packages from Yemen containing explosive devices that were intercepted overseas en route to synagogues in Chicago. But let's not let the day end without taking note of this amazing quote reported earlier today:

"Since two of the suspicious packages that were intercepted were addressed to religious institutions in Chicago, all churches, synagogues and mosques in the Chicago area should be vigilant for any unsolicited or unexpected packages, especially those originating from overseas locations," said FBI Special Agent Ross Rice.

Does Agent Rice really believe that an attempt by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to send bombs to synagogues is a sign that mosques need to be vigilant?

View all comments (19) | Leave a comment

Kate Powell| 10.29.10 @ 6:28PM

Does this mean we can be Islamophobic in peace now?

Eric Cartman| 10.30.10 @ 10:18AM

Sorry, Kate, but the answer is no. It means it's time to embrace Islam even more. The Liberals have been right all along. We should give up and convert to Islam. Look at all the benefits: No more terror attacks, cheap oil, all the camels you could want and Joy Behar would have to either wear a head-to-toe burka, or we get to stone her to death. Either way, it's a win-win.

Sheila| 10.30.10 @ 12:52PM

What a wonderful comment with which to start off my Saturday. LOL re Joyless!

Tim*| 10.29.10 @ 6:40PM

"Three US intelligence and law enforcement officials tell ABC News that the plot was identified by Saudi intelligence. "

Good Work.

cb| 10.30.10 @ 11:38PM

hmmm...hard to believe the Saudis identified it. More likely the Saudis conspired with our govt and others to create an illlusion of a terrorist plot.

Dixie Pixie| 10.31.10 @ 4:10PM

And I thought I was the only one that noticed that besides that Wahhabi meme, Osama bin Laden sounded like he was employed by Al Gore.

When a organization is at war with the USA and that organization is powered by Saudi money plus that organization is staffed by Saudi personal and furthers the Saudi Dream of a Saudi Caliphate by attacking the enemies of Wahhabism, you would think there is a Saudi connection.

If you did, you would be guilty of Islamophobia and thus subject to physiological retraining or firing for not understanding the nuances of Washington Foreign Policy.

Tim*| 10.31.10 @ 8:10PM

US and British security officials believe Anwar al-Awlaki, the American-born figurehead of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) was behind the foiled attack in which two ink cartridge bombs, posted in Yemen, were intercepted in Britain and Dubai on the way to America.

Roland| 10.29.10 @ 7:21PM

Depends on the mosque. Al Qaeda hates Shi'ites even more than Jews.

Rich Rostrom| 10.29.10 @ 8:20PM

"mosques need to be vigilant?"

Not much - but Salafi/Wahhabi Islam regards all other forms of Islam as "takfir" (heresy) and endorses the killing of "heretics". Even non-Wahhabs can be seriously intolerant. Pakistan has refused to honor Nobel laureate physicist Abdus Salam because he was a member of the Ahmadiyya sect. (Which to be sure is a somewhat eccentric group, about like Jehovah's Witnesses.)

If a mosque was known to reject the jihadist line, and especially if it was Ahmadiyya or some other
"heretical" denomination, the possibility of an attack by jihadists is not negligible. One must remember that jihadists have killed more Moslems than infidels.

Larry Sheldon| 10.29.10 @ 9:50PM

Pray for the President.

I hear that he lives next door to a synag9gue in Chicago.

larry Sheldon| 10.29.10 @ 9:55PM

One thing about my typos--they entertain for hours.

"synag9gue" -- how in the world?!??

synagogue OK, I see hoe that happened--fat-fingered the "9" going after the "o".

Occam's Tool| 10.29.10 @ 10:41PM

It's possible churches, as well. I'm not so sure about the Mosques at this time. But, you note, no specific concerns expressed regarding the Chicago Jewish Community, 3rd largest in the US (NYC is approx 2 million, LA 500,000, Chicago 250,000). Thanks, Mr. Dude---I mean, President.

ejp| 10.29.10 @ 11:26PM

If there were any NPR employees on that plane escorted in today who felt nervous at any time, they should immediately be fired. :)

Gigi| 10.29.10 @ 11:44PM

LOL! Juan Williams agrees.

Hook| 10.30.10 @ 12:36AM

That was priceless ejp.

If they hit a church, the administration would say it was the fault of the religious right.

If they hit a Shiite Mosque (which they wouldnt because Iran is working with Al Queda, the media would talk about civil war within Islam.

If they hit a synogogue there would probably be some talk of those bad Israeli settlements and probably from some Jews on J street.

Long Ben| 10.30.10 @ 3:03AM

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus and run the whole shebang , to the Glory of God the Father .

reebok shose| 10.30.10 @ 4:41AM

Reebok ZigTech Shoes, like any new sneaker design/Zig Pulse Shoes, are accompanied by a glowing press release that's chock full of questionable locker-room science and athlete endorsements. I know Reebok ZigTech.