How many prepaid cellphones does it take to blow up the Mackinac Bridge?
August 13, 2006 3:26 PM Subscribe
TERRA! Men With 1,000 Prepaid Cellphones Planned To Attack Mackinac Bridge. Or sell them in Texas. Or, you know, something.
God that's idiotic. "Cellphones, OMG They're terrorists!" It's obscene that they could be arrested over this. I mean they're just buying something. How would having 1,000 cellphones make it any easier to blow something up then having two or three?
posted by delmoi at 3:36 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by delmoi at 3:36 PM on August 13, 2006
Why does this newspaper accept four digit year of birth info and then reject dates before 1900? AGISM!
posted by delmoi at 3:37 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by delmoi at 3:37 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
This would be hilarious if it wasn't so pathetic. Same article:
In another case that has grabbed headlines, two Dearborn 20-year-olds face terrorism-related charges after authorities found $11,000 and a dozen cell phones in their vehicle in Marietta, Ohio.
The authorities are going terrorism crazy here. So what, now theft, drugs, black market, and other pedestrian crimes are going to be terra-related? I guess it's a convenient way to dispel with all that pesky due process for the brown people.
posted by madamjujujive at 3:37 PM on August 13, 2006
In another case that has grabbed headlines, two Dearborn 20-year-olds face terrorism-related charges after authorities found $11,000 and a dozen cell phones in their vehicle in Marietta, Ohio.
The authorities are going terrorism crazy here. So what, now theft, drugs, black market, and other pedestrian crimes are going to be terra-related? I guess it's a convenient way to dispel with all that pesky due process for the brown people.
posted by madamjujujive at 3:37 PM on August 13, 2006
So what, now theft, drugs, black market, and other pedestrian crimes are going to be terra-related? I guess it's a convenient way to dispel with all that pesky due process for the brown people.
On preview: exactly what I was going to say.
posted by Zozo at 3:38 PM on August 13, 2006
On preview: exactly what I was going to say.
posted by Zozo at 3:38 PM on August 13, 2006
I think people are missing the main point here... why in the three headed beast of Cerberus would anyone outside Michigan care about the Mackinac bridge? Seriously, I can't imagine that the UP is a major symbolic victory for al Quaeda. This stinks to high heaven.
Oh, and I'll just note that we're back in political election time, and boy howdy those terrorist plots just start rolling all over again. Time to play DHS terror threat indicator bingo.
posted by petrilli at 3:39 PM on August 13, 2006
Oh, and I'll just note that we're back in political election time, and boy howdy those terrorist plots just start rolling all over again. Time to play DHS terror threat indicator bingo.
posted by petrilli at 3:39 PM on August 13, 2006
I blame the microbes in their stomach.
posted by alteredcarbon at 3:41 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by alteredcarbon at 3:41 PM on August 13, 2006
i'm pretty sure the Bic Mac would buckle under the combined radio frequency assault of 1,000 cellphones. especially those prepaid cellphones that make it had to trace international calls because no ID is required to buy them. why, they could sit in canada and watch the bridge fall, totally untracable. thank god Mark Reene is the Tuscola County prosecutor.
posted by quonsar at 3:41 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by quonsar at 3:41 PM on August 13, 2006
How would having 1,000 cellphones make it any easier to blow something up then having two or three?
You see, if you call all 1000 of them at the same time, you get enough microwave radiation to heat the explosives enough to detonate them. Or something...
Or, you can get all of them on the bridge, set them all to "vibrate" and then call them. The combined vibrations will bring the bridge down.
posted by c13 at 3:41 PM on August 13, 2006
You see, if you call all 1000 of them at the same time, you get enough microwave radiation to heat the explosives enough to detonate them. Or something...
Or, you can get all of them on the bridge, set them all to "vibrate" and then call them. The combined vibrations will bring the bridge down.
posted by c13 at 3:41 PM on August 13, 2006
To say that this is just pitiful would be too kind.
posted by leftcoastbob at 3:42 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by leftcoastbob at 3:42 PM on August 13, 2006
So how long will it be until we have muslim internment camps?
posted by bob sarabia at 3:43 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by bob sarabia at 3:43 PM on August 13, 2006
The article didn't say, but maybe they had contact lens solution in the car too - if so, I say lynch 'em!
posted by madamjujujive at 3:48 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by madamjujujive at 3:48 PM on August 13, 2006
So how long will it be until we have muslim internment camps?
Ahem...
posted by afx237vi at 3:50 PM on August 13, 2006
Ahem...
posted by afx237vi at 3:50 PM on August 13, 2006
Caro police officer Paul Strasz inventories the 1,000 cell phones and other items found in the vehicle of three men being held on terror charges.
isn't that a mickey d's sack in the center of the bag on the right?
posted by quonsar at 3:51 PM on August 13, 2006
On the bright side....oh, fuck, there is no bright side.
posted by Optamystic at 3:53 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by Optamystic at 3:53 PM on August 13, 2006
From BoingBoing
As for why these men were buying cell phones, it is apparent that they were buying those special pre-paid cell phones that are locked into a pre-paid network. These phones are sold below cost because the companies make back their money by selling the MINUTES. (Give away the razors, sell the blades.) Recently, companies have found out how to unlock these cell phones to work with standard cellular networks. Thus, with a little work, a very cheap cell phone can be turned into a regular cell phone. There, apparently, is some good money in this. This also explains pockets in the story, like Wal-Mart trying to enforce a vendor's desire that no more then three be sold to a person.
posted by jjj606 at 3:56 PM on August 13, 2006
As for why these men were buying cell phones, it is apparent that they were buying those special pre-paid cell phones that are locked into a pre-paid network. These phones are sold below cost because the companies make back their money by selling the MINUTES. (Give away the razors, sell the blades.) Recently, companies have found out how to unlock these cell phones to work with standard cellular networks. Thus, with a little work, a very cheap cell phone can be turned into a regular cell phone. There, apparently, is some good money in this. This also explains pockets in the story, like Wal-Mart trying to enforce a vendor's desire that no more then three be sold to a person.
posted by jjj606 at 3:56 PM on August 13, 2006
why in the three headed beast of Cerberus would anyone outside Michigan care about the Mackinac bridge? Seriously, I can't imagine that the UP is a major symbolic victory for al Quaeda.
I agree. If THE TERRORISTS CELLS ALL OVER THE US cared about anything besides highly visible and symbolic targets like those hit on 9/11/01, surely we would've had at least a few suicide car bombings by now. Or a walk-in-and-blow-up at a shopping mall. Assassinations of random local officials. Someone shooting out a traffic light at a busy intersection. Something. It's been nearly five years for heaven's sake. The inescapable conclusion is that they're not here; or if they are, they're even less effective than an incompetent loser like Richard Reid.
National security should no longer be an issue that people can get elected on. We're demonstrably secure enough. No more tradeoffs needed. We can even roll a few back.
Duh.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 4:00 PM on August 13, 2006 [2 favorites]
I agree. If THE TERRORISTS CELLS ALL OVER THE US cared about anything besides highly visible and symbolic targets like those hit on 9/11/01, surely we would've had at least a few suicide car bombings by now. Or a walk-in-and-blow-up at a shopping mall. Assassinations of random local officials. Someone shooting out a traffic light at a busy intersection. Something. It's been nearly five years for heaven's sake. The inescapable conclusion is that they're not here; or if they are, they're even less effective than an incompetent loser like Richard Reid.
National security should no longer be an issue that people can get elected on. We're demonstrably secure enough. No more tradeoffs needed. We can even roll a few back.
Duh.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 4:00 PM on August 13, 2006 [2 favorites]
have found out how to unlock these cell phones to work with standard cellular networks.
and once that happens, the fucking bridge is a goner...
posted by quonsar at 4:00 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
and once that happens, the fucking bridge is a goner...
posted by quonsar at 4:00 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
Wait? 1000 triggers, but no bomb?
If they had a bomb, would they buy 1000 triggers, or one?
Why are we surrounded by so much stupid?
why, they could sit in canada and watch the bridge fall, totally untracable. thank god Mark Reene is the Tuscola County prosecutor.
Err, that bridge connects Michigan with Michigan. It is important, however, to make sure you know the difference.
posted by eriko at 4:01 PM on August 13, 2006
If they had a bomb, would they buy 1000 triggers, or one?
Why are we surrounded by so much stupid?
why, they could sit in canada and watch the bridge fall, totally untracable. thank god Mark Reene is the Tuscola County prosecutor.
Err, that bridge connects Michigan with Michigan. It is important, however, to make sure you know the difference.
posted by eriko at 4:01 PM on August 13, 2006
They're essentially being held because they're Muslim and because they were doing something unusual. This is such bullshit. For British readers wonder why Americans were so incredulous about the "liquids" plot -- things like this are the reason.
posted by delmoi at 4:03 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by delmoi at 4:03 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
that bridge connects Michigan with Michigan
no shit, sherlock? hey, you ever been to caro? it's a minimum of 150 miles from the bridge. and yet, they're charged with "surveillance of a vulnerable target with intent to commit terrorism". clearly they got damn good eyes.
posted by quonsar at 4:09 PM on August 13, 2006
no shit, sherlock? hey, you ever been to caro? it's a minimum of 150 miles from the bridge. and yet, they're charged with "surveillance of a vulnerable target with intent to commit terrorism". clearly they got damn good eyes.
posted by quonsar at 4:09 PM on August 13, 2006
They've been convicted of a whole new category of charges, "buying cell phones while Muslim".
posted by clevershark at 4:16 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by clevershark at 4:16 PM on August 13, 2006
Incidentally, last week's foiled plot seems to have been a lot less imminent than officials said, too. Which might explain why Tony Blair didn't bother returning home when it was announced.
posted by clevershark at 4:22 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by clevershark at 4:22 PM on August 13, 2006
I sure hope they can counter sue the DHS for false arrest once the charges are all dropped once a judge hears this case.
posted by Balisong at 4:22 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by Balisong at 4:22 PM on August 13, 2006
Balisong: It sounds like they were arrested by the locals.
posted by delmoi at 4:28 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by delmoi at 4:28 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
Can't anyone see that all these "terror" attacks are just part of the run up to the midterm elections?
posted by nyxxxx at 4:30 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by nyxxxx at 4:30 PM on August 13, 2006
Oh, and whatever happened with that anthrax thing? Has everyone forgotten about it? Why haven't there been any arrests with that?
posted by nyxxxx at 4:33 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by nyxxxx at 4:33 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
The majority of the phones were stored in cardboard boxes, without any packaging. The men also told authorities they separated the batteries from the phones.
“There’s a couple of reasons why you would do that,” said Page. “If you are using them as a bomb detonator, you don’t really need a battery in there, do you? And secondly, batteries can be used in methamphetamine production.”
...
posted by Tenuki at 4:35 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
“There’s a couple of reasons why you would do that,” said Page. “If you are using them as a bomb detonator, you don’t really need a battery in there, do you? And secondly, batteries can be used in methamphetamine production.”
...
posted by Tenuki at 4:35 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
The men also told authorities they separated the batteries from the phones.
"There’s a couple of reasons why you would do that," said Page. "If you are using them as a bomb detonator, you don’t really need a battery in there, do you?"
this man is a law enforcement officer. you don't really need a battery in there, do you?
posted by quonsar at 4:37 PM on August 13, 2006
"There’s a couple of reasons why you would do that," said Page. "If you are using them as a bomb detonator, you don’t really need a battery in there, do you?"
this man is a law enforcement officer. you don't really need a battery in there, do you?
posted by quonsar at 4:37 PM on August 13, 2006
Clearly if you're using a phone as a detonator it automatically switches to solar power!
What a maroon...
posted by clevershark at 4:41 PM on August 13, 2006
What a maroon...
posted by clevershark at 4:41 PM on August 13, 2006
A statement so stupid it should be repeated and Caro Chief Benson Page should be ridiculed frequently.
posted by Tenuki at 4:44 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by Tenuki at 4:44 PM on August 13, 2006
Ah.
I love the smell of fear-mongering in the morning.
God; America must have kicked ass back when it was free.
.
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 4:45 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
I love the smell of fear-mongering in the morning.
God; America must have kicked ass back when it was free.
.
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 4:45 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
No one will ever be held accountable for this.
posted by IronLizard at 4:49 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by IronLizard at 4:49 PM on August 13, 2006
FDR: Oh, I'm sorry, was wiping out our entire Pacific fleet supposed to intimidate us? We have nothing to fear but fear itself, and right now we're coming to kick your ass with brand new destroyers riveted by waitresses. How's that going to feel?
CHURCHILL: Yeah, you keep bombing us. We'll be in the pub, flipping you off. I'm slapping Rolls-Royce engines into untested flying coffins to knock you out of the skies, and then I'm sending angry Welshmen to burn your country from the Rhine to the Polish border.
US. NOW: BE AFRAID!! Oh God, the Brown Bad people could strike any moment! They could strike ... NOW!! AHHHH. Okay, how about .. NOW!! AAGAGAHAHAHHAG! Quick, do whatever we tell you, and believe whatever we tell you, or YOU WILL BE KILLED BY BROWN PEOPLE!! PUT DOWN THAT SIPPY CUP!!
posted by Tenuki at 4:55 PM on August 13, 2006 [3 favorites]
CHURCHILL: Yeah, you keep bombing us. We'll be in the pub, flipping you off. I'm slapping Rolls-Royce engines into untested flying coffins to knock you out of the skies, and then I'm sending angry Welshmen to burn your country from the Rhine to the Polish border.
US. NOW: BE AFRAID!! Oh God, the Brown Bad people could strike any moment! They could strike ... NOW!! AHHHH. Okay, how about .. NOW!! AAGAGAHAHAHHAG! Quick, do whatever we tell you, and believe whatever we tell you, or YOU WILL BE KILLED BY BROWN PEOPLE!! PUT DOWN THAT SIPPY CUP!!
posted by Tenuki at 4:55 PM on August 13, 2006 [3 favorites]
1) Buy 1000 cellphones
2) Destroy bridge
3) Profit
posted by Joeforking at 5:06 PM on August 13, 2006
2) Destroy bridge
3) Profit
posted by Joeforking at 5:06 PM on August 13, 2006
So what, now theft, drugs, black market, and other pedestrian crimes are going to be terra-related?
Yes.
posted by homunculus at 5:13 PM on August 13, 2006
Yes.
posted by homunculus at 5:13 PM on August 13, 2006
I think the folks caught with the cell phones ARE terrorists, but they misunderstood their orders. They were told to set up a thousand cells in the U.S.
posted by The Deej at 5:13 PM on August 13, 2006 [3 favorites]
posted by The Deej at 5:13 PM on August 13, 2006 [3 favorites]
And secondly, batteries can be used in methamphetamine production
You really couldn't make this stuff up. Unbelievable.
posted by jamesonandwater at 5:17 PM on August 13, 2006
You really couldn't make this stuff up. Unbelievable.
posted by jamesonandwater at 5:17 PM on August 13, 2006
For those of us who don't have time to read every post on the Blue, subscribing to the "batshitinsane" tag is an excellent way of catching the most important.
posted by blag at 5:24 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by blag at 5:24 PM on August 13, 2006
The men also told authorities they separated the batteries from the phones.
sleeper cells
posted by riotgrrl69 at 5:29 PM on August 13, 2006 [2 favorites]
sleeper cells
posted by riotgrrl69 at 5:29 PM on August 13, 2006 [2 favorites]
Apparently Chief Benson Page’s quote has been picked up and expanded on by other newspapers:
“Cell phone batteries are sometimes used in methamphetamine production, and batteryless cell phones have been used as detonators in some terrorist attacks, but Page cautioned citizens against panicking.”
posted by Tenuki at 5:30 PM on August 13, 2006
“Cell phone batteries are sometimes used in methamphetamine production, and batteryless cell phones have been used as detonators in some terrorist attacks, but Page cautioned citizens against panicking.”
posted by Tenuki at 5:30 PM on August 13, 2006
Oh, I get it now. They were going to short all the batteries against the bridge, so it would heat and collapse. Brilliant!
posted by c13 at 5:31 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by c13 at 5:31 PM on August 13, 2006
They were going to short all the batteries against the bridge, so it would heat and collapse. Brilliant!
the melting point of fudge is a lot lower than you think ...
posted by pyramid termite at 5:42 PM on August 13, 2006
the melting point of fudge is a lot lower than you think ...
posted by pyramid termite at 5:42 PM on August 13, 2006
you can get all of them on the bridge, set them all to "vibrate" and then call them. The combined vibrations will bring the bridge down.
posted by quonsar at 5:46 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by quonsar at 5:46 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
Blech. Any Canadian business owners out there want to give me a job?
posted by leapingsheep at 5:47 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by leapingsheep at 5:47 PM on August 13, 2006
They were going to use the batteries to make meth, which they were going to use to get the rural populations of Michigan hooked and delusional. Then they were going to use the cellphones (sans batteries) to create a flash mob who would eat through the bridge.
Clearly we need to arrest any muslim who does anything.
posted by delmoi at 6:01 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
Clearly we need to arrest any muslim who does anything.
posted by delmoi at 6:01 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
NEWS FLASH!! TERRORISTS FORCE U P TO EVACUATE!!
posted by pyramid termite at 6:02 PM on August 13, 2006
make meth, which they were going to use to get the rural populations of Michigan hooked and delusional
if that's the case, we're way ahead of 'em.
posted by quonsar at 6:09 PM on August 13, 2006
if that's the case, we're way ahead of 'em.
posted by quonsar at 6:09 PM on August 13, 2006
Three muslims drive to Michigan to buy out Walmart's stock of cell phones. Nope, nothing suspicious here. Sheesh! Hopefully, the idiots sitting in jail have learned a lesson.
posted by mischief at 6:12 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by mischief at 6:12 PM on August 13, 2006
pyramid termite writes "NEWS FLASH!! TERRORISTS FORCE U P TO EVACUATE!!"
Obviously they want to see U P... pervs!
posted by clevershark at 6:17 PM on August 13, 2006
Obviously they want to see U P... pervs!
posted by clevershark at 6:17 PM on August 13, 2006
Just torture them. They'll confess.
Not funny because it's true. . .
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:22 PM on August 13, 2006
Not funny because it's true. . .
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:22 PM on August 13, 2006
In the America of the future, there's no possible act so benign that it couldn't be considered suspicious and therefore illegal.
The future is now.
P.S. Voting against Joe Leiberman is supporting "Al-Qaeda" types. Lock 'em up or, even better for security, one state-approved candidate like they did it Soviet style.
posted by Reverend Mykeru at 6:23 PM on August 13, 2006
The future is now.
P.S. Voting against Joe Leiberman is supporting "Al-Qaeda" types. Lock 'em up or, even better for security, one state-approved candidate like they did it Soviet style.
posted by Reverend Mykeru at 6:23 PM on August 13, 2006
In the America of the past, there was no possible act so benign it couldn't be considered suspicious and therefore illegal when committed by non-whites in a pissant town, 93% white and population 4000, especially when that act involves a bored, underpaid Walmart employee. ;-P
posted by mischief at 6:33 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by mischief at 6:33 PM on August 13, 2006
Three muslims drive to Michigan to buy out Walmart's stock of cell phones. Nope, nothing suspicious here. Sheesh! Hopefully, the idiots sitting in jail have learned a lesson.
Well, quite a few people would seem to agree with you. What depresses me to no end is that they are my countrymen. Land of the free, home of the brave...
posted by c13 at 6:42 PM on August 13, 2006
Well, quite a few people would seem to agree with you. What depresses me to no end is that they are my countrymen. Land of the free, home of the brave...
posted by c13 at 6:42 PM on August 13, 2006
Confiscated Airport Items Bring Cash
The.Army Knife cell phone You Gave Up In Philly? Good Change You'll Find It On eBay...
Suckers!
posted by Unregistered User at 6:45 PM on August 13, 2006
The
Suckers!
posted by Unregistered User at 6:45 PM on August 13, 2006
A most cursory googling of "cell phone disposal" brings up about 8.5 million hits. Here is just one example:
Many old phones get refurbished or recycled under donation programs that help charities, but it's a tiny fraction of the 100 million or so handsets that are already "retired" each year in this country, according to a new estimate from the environmental research group Inform Inc.
So, there are 100M phones thrown away each year, yet the terrorists would prefer to buy brand new ones to use for a detonator. Good thing the brave LEOs of Caro, Michigan are so alert.
posted by c13 at 6:51 PM on August 13, 2006
Many old phones get refurbished or recycled under donation programs that help charities, but it's a tiny fraction of the 100 million or so handsets that are already "retired" each year in this country, according to a new estimate from the environmental research group Inform Inc.
So, there are 100M phones thrown away each year, yet the terrorists would prefer to buy brand new ones to use for a detonator. Good thing the brave LEOs of Caro, Michigan are so alert.
posted by c13 at 6:51 PM on August 13, 2006
And secondly, batteries can be used in methamphetamine production
...You really couldn't make this stuff up. Unbelievable.
Actually, lithium batteries are frequently used in the manufacture of meth. You crack open the cell and remove the strip, which is then used in the reducing agent.
Still, crazy story. Reminds me of a radio show I heard just after 9/11, where they were talking about how some nowhere state shut down their annual crocheting trade show because of fears of terrorist activities. The head spins.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 7:43 PM on August 13, 2006
...You really couldn't make this stuff up. Unbelievable.
Actually, lithium batteries are frequently used in the manufacture of meth. You crack open the cell and remove the strip, which is then used in the reducing agent.
Still, crazy story. Reminds me of a radio show I heard just after 9/11, where they were talking about how some nowhere state shut down their annual crocheting trade show because of fears of terrorist activities. The head spins.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 7:43 PM on August 13, 2006
You crack open the cell and remove the strip, which is then used in the reducing agent.
Shame that phones use Lithium Ion batteries. The process here is crack open the cell and OH MY GHOD I'M ON FIRE AND IT HURTS FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!
Repeat until you learn the difference between lithium and lithium ion batteries.
"If you are using them as a bomb detonator, you don’t really need a battery in there, do you?"
God, can we please have Roscoe P. Coltrane back?
posted by eriko at 7:50 PM on August 13, 2006
Shame that phones use Lithium Ion batteries. The process here is crack open the cell and OH MY GHOD I'M ON FIRE AND IT HURTS FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!
Repeat until you learn the difference between lithium and lithium ion batteries.
"If you are using them as a bomb detonator, you don’t really need a battery in there, do you?"
God, can we please have Roscoe P. Coltrane back?
posted by eriko at 7:50 PM on August 13, 2006
somewhere out there, right now, there's a guy plotting to bring down the hoover dam with a few thousand fisher-price calcubots.
posted by quonsar at 8:11 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by quonsar at 8:11 PM on August 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
The bridge was a diversion. The actual plot was to give government officials INSTANT BRAIN CANCER with the 1000 cellphones.
posted by Krrrlson at 8:11 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by Krrrlson at 8:11 PM on August 13, 2006
Fucking Ohio.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 8:31 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by Baby_Balrog at 8:31 PM on August 13, 2006
Here's a somewhat related story from Saturday's edition of the same paper. Seems a local greasy spoon has gone out of business. One guess as to why. (Hint - read the first sentence.)
"If I can't get a $3.99 eggs and bacon early bird special, the terrorists have won."
Rural Michigan, people. Cause lord knows, we need to import terrorists from the Middle East.
posted by mturner at 8:42 PM on August 13, 2006
"If I can't get a $3.99 eggs and bacon early bird special, the terrorists have won."
Rural Michigan, people. Cause lord knows, we need to import terrorists from the Middle East.
posted by mturner at 8:42 PM on August 13, 2006
Funny thread, funny comments. Yet I am now depressed.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:46 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:46 PM on August 13, 2006
I hate to ask a stupid question but it's late. Aren't these the untraceable kind of phone, particularly if you've bought them in bulk? Prepaid, not assigned a subscriber, etc?
The pulling them apart thing notwithstanding, isn't this like, 1000 free untraceable lines with which to plan and plot? Isn't that part of the fear?
posted by swerdloff at 8:55 PM on August 13, 2006
The pulling them apart thing notwithstanding, isn't this like, 1000 free untraceable lines with which to plan and plot? Isn't that part of the fear?
posted by swerdloff at 8:55 PM on August 13, 2006
Yep. They're even harder to trace if you take the batteries out.
posted by c13 at 9:08 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by c13 at 9:08 PM on August 13, 2006
Rural Michigan, people.
that's the grand rapids press. grand rapids is hardly rural.
(Hint - read the first sentence.)
clue - read the second sentence. "Then came the opening of M-6 nearly two years ago, which he says drew traffic away." M-6 is a 4 lane divided freeway skirting the metro area on the south. new highways have been putting mom and pop eateries out of business in every state for over 50 years.
Cause lord knows, we need to import terrorists from the Middle East.
interestingly enough, the militia has always been most active in the thumb area - around caro - where the arrest occurred, and where one of the oklahoma bombers lived.
posted by quonsar at 9:31 PM on August 13, 2006
that's the grand rapids press. grand rapids is hardly rural.
(Hint - read the first sentence.)
clue - read the second sentence. "Then came the opening of M-6 nearly two years ago, which he says drew traffic away." M-6 is a 4 lane divided freeway skirting the metro area on the south. new highways have been putting mom and pop eateries out of business in every state for over 50 years.
Cause lord knows, we need to import terrorists from the Middle East.
interestingly enough, the militia has always been most active in the thumb area - around caro - where the arrest occurred, and where one of the oklahoma bombers lived.
posted by quonsar at 9:31 PM on August 13, 2006
Ask Metafilter: I just made a cell phone while applying hair gel to my head. Is this why I am forcefully exploding, or is it the Gatoade? Thanks in advance.
posted by moonbird at 9:40 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by moonbird at 9:40 PM on August 13, 2006
You just made a cell phone? And to think that I was pretty proud of myself for making an animated gif.
That wasn't hair gel, btw.
posted by weretable and the undead chairs at 9:50 PM on August 13, 2006
That wasn't hair gel, btw.
posted by weretable and the undead chairs at 9:50 PM on August 13, 2006
The nation's chief of homeland security said Sunday that the U.S. should consider reviewing its laws to allow for more electronic surveillance and detention of possible terror suspects, citing last week's foiled plot.
posted by homunculus at 10:02 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by homunculus at 10:02 PM on August 13, 2006
It's not like the 20th century, where you had time to get warrants."
Yeah, Constitution is sooo last century! Man, these guys aren't even trying to pretend anymore.
posted by c13 at 10:10 PM on August 13, 2006
Yeah, Constitution is sooo last century! Man, these guys aren't even trying to pretend anymore.
posted by c13 at 10:10 PM on August 13, 2006
homunculus
hahahahahahaha....
I cannot accept the characterisation of our troubles these past few years and days as amounting to a War on Terror, or a war on anything. There is an immense risk that if we see it this way we may be conjuring into existence networks and loyalties that were flimsy and uncoordinated until we dignified them with the name of Terror and advertised their prowess across the globe.
Gestalt can border on madness...
posted by Unregistered User at 10:14 PM on August 13, 2006
hahahahahahaha....
I cannot accept the characterisation of our troubles these past few years and days as amounting to a War on Terror, or a war on anything. There is an immense risk that if we see it this way we may be conjuring into existence networks and loyalties that were flimsy and uncoordinated until we dignified them with the name of Terror and advertised their prowess across the globe.
Gestalt can border on madness...
posted by Unregistered User at 10:14 PM on August 13, 2006
they were onto those guys for a year. there was no problem getting warrants. someone needs to repeatedly bash chertoff in the teeth with a baseball bat until he goes on national tv and admits "oh yeah, what am i saying - we were onto these guys for a year, there was no problem getting warrants! please stop hitting me!"
posted by quonsar at 10:18 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by quonsar at 10:18 PM on August 13, 2006
repeatedly bash chertoff in the teeth with a baseball bat prepaid cellphone
posted by quonsar at 10:22 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by quonsar at 10:22 PM on August 13, 2006
Good for you, Unreg, you are breaking through the brainwash. Now consider, if it is not a war on terror, what is the goal?
posted by mischief at 10:25 PM on August 13, 2006
posted by mischief at 10:25 PM on August 13, 2006
What is the goal?
It's the same as it's always been Entropy baby!
posted by Unregistered User at 10:50 PM on August 13, 2006
It's the same as it's always been Entropy baby!
posted by Unregistered User at 10:50 PM on August 13, 2006
I agree. If THE TERRORISTS CELLS ALL OVER THE US cared about anything besides highly visible and symbolic targets like those hit on 9/11/01, surely we would've had at least a few suicide car bombings by now. Or a walk-in-and-blow-up at a shopping mall. Assassinations of random local officials. Someone shooting out a traffic light at a busy intersection. Something.
Errrr:
1) The attacks have all been thwarted and we can't talk about them
2) You'd find out from "the news" and "the news" is contolled
3) There were shootings of people - the sniper with the rifle shooting from the car. But he doesn't count because he was black and didn't write Osama and ask for matching shoes
4) You are unamerican for putting such ideas in the heads of the evil do-ers
posted by rough ashlar at 11:54 PM on August 13, 2006
Errrr:
1) The attacks have all been thwarted and we can't talk about them
2) You'd find out from "the news" and "the news" is contolled
3) There were shootings of people - the sniper with the rifle shooting from the car. But he doesn't count because he was black and didn't write Osama and ask for matching shoes
4) You are unamerican for putting such ideas in the heads of the evil do-ers
posted by rough ashlar at 11:54 PM on August 13, 2006
phones on a bridge
posted by baker dave at 12:49 AM on August 14, 2006
posted by baker dave at 12:49 AM on August 14, 2006
“If you are using them as a bomb detonator, you don’t really need a battery in there, do you? ...”
OK, maybe I'm missing something (not like it would be the first time), but how can you use a phone without a battery (AKA a non-functioning one) as a detonator?
This whole thing just makes my head spin. Really, what the fuck are you Americans on?
posted by dg at 4:25 AM on August 14, 2006
OK, maybe I'm missing something (not like it would be the first time), but how can you use a phone without a battery (AKA a non-functioning one) as a detonator?
This whole thing just makes my head spin. Really, what the fuck are you Americans on?
posted by dg at 4:25 AM on August 14, 2006
c13 - you said "Yep. They're even harder to trace if you take the batteries out."
I don't know if you were being snarky or literal, but in a literal sense, you're right. Cell phones are a two way street and when the batteries are in them, they are emitting. Did you know that some cities in Europe, particularly Germany, base their traffic light patterns around Cell phone density in the vicinity?
With that thought in mind, I would say that yes, for sure, taking the battery out is something you'd want to do if you wanted to avoid detection while traveling with 1000 of them, all emitting.
The point is that they're untraceable, particularly when purchased in bulk, and could be quickly and easily distributed to, say, 20 guys, each getting 50 each, for one-time-call use. How does that help you blow up a bridge? Use your imagination.
posted by swerdloff at 5:14 AM on August 14, 2006
I don't know if you were being snarky or literal, but in a literal sense, you're right. Cell phones are a two way street and when the batteries are in them, they are emitting. Did you know that some cities in Europe, particularly Germany, base their traffic light patterns around Cell phone density in the vicinity?
With that thought in mind, I would say that yes, for sure, taking the battery out is something you'd want to do if you wanted to avoid detection while traveling with 1000 of them, all emitting.
The point is that they're untraceable, particularly when purchased in bulk, and could be quickly and easily distributed to, say, 20 guys, each getting 50 each, for one-time-call use. How does that help you blow up a bridge? Use your imagination.
posted by swerdloff at 5:14 AM on August 14, 2006
The key to this isn't the cellphones but this line
"The prosecutor, a 16-year attorney with the county, said police picked up a laptop computer containing evidence related to their charges."
So before you jump up and down shrieking these were just innocent chatterboxes perhaps we should wait to find out what evidence was on the laptop that indicated this was terror related.
posted by zeoslap at 6:45 AM on August 14, 2006
"The prosecutor, a 16-year attorney with the county, said police picked up a laptop computer containing evidence related to their charges."
So before you jump up and down shrieking these were just innocent chatterboxes perhaps we should wait to find out what evidence was on the laptop that indicated this was terror related.
posted by zeoslap at 6:45 AM on August 14, 2006
Cell phones are a two way street and when the batteries are in them, they are emitting.
right. brand new blister-packed cellphones, not even turned on, and they are emitting. have some more crack.
posted by quonsar at 6:54 AM on August 14, 2006
right. brand new blister-packed cellphones, not even turned on, and they are emitting. have some more crack.
posted by quonsar at 6:54 AM on August 14, 2006
So before you jump up and down shrieking these were just innocent chatterboxes perhaps we should wait to find out what evidence was on the laptop that indicated this was terror related.
I'll bet you a box of Krispy Kreme's that this turns out to be an over-zealous prosecutor with no case who's running for reelection.
posted by bshort at 7:32 AM on August 14, 2006
I'll bet you a box of Krispy Kreme's that this turns out to be an over-zealous prosecutor with no case who's running for reelection.
posted by bshort at 7:32 AM on August 14, 2006
I dunno, I think that plan is so cunning you can brush your teeth with it. The bad guys just stand on the bridge they wish to destroy with a big bag of cellphones and a sign that says "Free Cellphones! One per Citizen!"
As word gets out, more and more middle Americans flock to the bridge, clogging traffic and commerce, to get their free phone. As more and more people pile up, the bridge begins to buckle under your average Herd of Megamericans' weight, thus collapsing in a pile of pinkish, cell-squaking flesh and SUVs.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 7:40 AM on August 14, 2006
As word gets out, more and more middle Americans flock to the bridge, clogging traffic and commerce, to get their free phone. As more and more people pile up, the bridge begins to buckle under your average Herd of Megamericans' weight, thus collapsing in a pile of pinkish, cell-squaking flesh and SUVs.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 7:40 AM on August 14, 2006
The point is that they're untraceable, particularly when purchased in bulk, and could be quickly and easily distributed to, say, 20 guys, each getting 50 each, for one-time-call use. How does that help you blow up a bridge? Use your imagination.
Imagination? Not all that long ago, same sort of people (similar in worldview and occupation) used their imagination to hunt for witches. We've sort of moved on since then, but I suppose everything comes back...
posted by c13 at 7:59 AM on August 14, 2006
Imagination? Not all that long ago, same sort of people (similar in worldview and occupation) used their imagination to hunt for witches. We've sort of moved on since then, but I suppose everything comes back...
posted by c13 at 7:59 AM on August 14, 2006
I think that it's a plot to take away our means of communication.
George Bush initially said that "they hate us for our freedom," so *poof* his administration immediately started taking away our freedom so they won't hate us so much. Now the fuckers hate us for our cell phones, and they're going to take them away, too.
Where will it all end? They already expect us to make it through a long flight without access to our hair gel and lotion; what's next--Cheetohs? Toe rings?
We have to make a stand here, boys and girls. Where's the brave soul willing to stand up and say, "I'm made as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" I say, "Give me text messaging or give me death.!"
posted by leftcoastbob at 8:04 AM on August 14, 2006
George Bush initially said that "they hate us for our freedom," so *poof* his administration immediately started taking away our freedom so they won't hate us so much. Now the fuckers hate us for our cell phones, and they're going to take them away, too.
Where will it all end? They already expect us to make it through a long flight without access to our hair gel and lotion; what's next--Cheetohs? Toe rings?
We have to make a stand here, boys and girls. Where's the brave soul willing to stand up and say, "I'm made as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" I say, "Give me text messaging or give me death.!"
posted by leftcoastbob at 8:04 AM on August 14, 2006
Cellphones, and now they're trying to spin infants as bombs without any evidence in the London thing--appalling.
We'll be seeing at least one of these fake things a week til the election, and the media is gladly following the GOP script. The question is whether voters will be swayed, like they were in 02 and 04.
posted by amberglow at 8:42 AM on August 14, 2006
We'll be seeing at least one of these fake things a week til the election, and the media is gladly following the GOP script. The question is whether voters will be swayed, like they were in 02 and 04.
posted by amberglow at 8:42 AM on August 14, 2006
Well, as long as you take the batteries out of them, they should be fine..
posted by c13 at 8:44 AM on August 14, 2006
posted by c13 at 8:44 AM on August 14, 2006
From Amberglow's link:
HATE-filled mums willing to sacrifice themselves and their BABIES are being hunted in the war on terror... The adviser said: “It may be beyond belief, but we are convinced that there are now women in Britain who are prepared to die with their babies for their twisted cause. They are ruthless, single-minded and totally committed.”
They might just as well say that Muslims eat their own babies.
posted by leftcoastbob at 9:02 AM on August 14, 2006
HATE-filled mums willing to sacrifice themselves and their BABIES are being hunted in the war on terror... The adviser said: “It may be beyond belief, but we are convinced that there are now women in Britain who are prepared to die with their babies for their twisted cause. They are ruthless, single-minded and totally committed.”
They might just as well say that Muslims eat their own babies.
posted by leftcoastbob at 9:02 AM on August 14, 2006
Chertoff: We must "eliminate people who are susceptible to becoming killers"
posted by homunculus at 9:11 AM on August 14, 2006
posted by homunculus at 9:11 AM on August 14, 2006
Chertoff: We must "eliminate people who are susceptible to becoming killers"
*sound of crickets*
posted by pyramid termite at 9:16 AM on August 14, 2006
*sound of crickets*
posted by pyramid termite at 9:16 AM on August 14, 2006
now they've done it ... da yoopers are pissed!
(so why couldn't we have had toledo instead?)
posted by pyramid termite at 9:32 AM on August 14, 2006
It only took, what, a year to release the two Muslim guys who were testing a video camera, and just happened to take a shot of the Ambassador Bridge.
Caro is nowhere near Grand Rapids or the Mackinac Bridge. WTF? You don't just get arrested for DWB in Michigan, now, you can also get arrested for Shopping While Muslim?
posted by QIbHom at 9:37 AM on August 14, 2006
Caro is nowhere near Grand Rapids or the Mackinac Bridge. WTF? You don't just get arrested for DWB in Michigan, now, you can also get arrested for Shopping While Muslim?
posted by QIbHom at 9:37 AM on August 14, 2006
Waitaminute, it just hit me.
Quonsar is a troll!
Anyway, list time
Good things about Michigan.
1) I have lots of friends in Michigan, on both yooper and troll sides of the bridge.
2) Many parts of Michigan are quite beautiful.
3) They were willing to fight Ohio.
4) Quonsar, apparently.
5) Many of my most evil friends went to Michigan Tech.
Bad things:
1) The ugly parts are way ugly.
2) You can drive north or south to get to Canada from Michigan.
3) They're all stuck up because they think they named the lake.
4) Quonsar, apparently.
5) They have copes that failed out of the Barney Fife School of Investigation.
6) Interstate I-Fucking-94.
So far, looks like Michigan is losing.
posted by eriko at 10:15 AM on August 14, 2006
Quonsar is a troll!
Anyway, list time
Good things about Michigan.
1) I have lots of friends in Michigan, on both yooper and troll sides of the bridge.
2) Many parts of Michigan are quite beautiful.
3) They were willing to fight Ohio.
4) Quonsar, apparently.
5) Many of my most evil friends went to Michigan Tech.
Bad things:
1) The ugly parts are way ugly.
2) You can drive north or south to get to Canada from Michigan.
3) They're all stuck up because they think they named the lake.
4) Quonsar, apparently.
5) They have copes that failed out of the Barney Fife School of Investigation.
6) Interstate I-Fucking-94.
So far, looks like Michigan is losing.
posted by eriko at 10:15 AM on August 14, 2006
eriko: you neglected to point out in your list of 'bad things' that while Michigan was willing to fight Ohio, they did lose.
Don't forget that Gen Custer was from Michigan, either.
The story originally broke in the Saginaw News, much closer to Caro. I first saw it in the AANews. (and I'm still not convinced that the 'target' was the Mighty Mac. Wouldn't the Blue Water Bridge make more sense?)
posted by jlkr at 10:42 AM on August 14, 2006
Don't forget that Gen Custer was from Michigan, either.
The story originally broke in the Saginaw News, much closer to Caro. I first saw it in the AANews. (and I'm still not convinced that the 'target' was the Mighty Mac. Wouldn't the Blue Water Bridge make more sense?)
posted by jlkr at 10:42 AM on August 14, 2006
The FBI issued a news release Monday saying there is no imminent threat to the bridge linking Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas and that has no information indicating that the men have any direct link to a terrorist group. --source
posted by Orb at 12:18 PM on August 14, 2006
posted by Orb at 12:18 PM on August 14, 2006
Chertoff: We must "eliminate people who are susceptible to becoming killers"
Minority report?
posted by edgeways at 1:23 PM on August 14, 2006
Minority report?
posted by edgeways at 1:23 PM on August 14, 2006
It would be more like eliminating everyone on Earth. Chertoff was in charge during Katrina, no? He jumps way way up in the line.
posted by amberglow at 4:10 PM on August 14, 2006
posted by amberglow at 4:10 PM on August 14, 2006
Chertoff: We must "eliminate people who are susceptible to becoming killers"
He's advocating the assassination of the President of the United States. Isn't that illegal?
posted by eriko at 4:13 PM on August 14, 2006
He's advocating the assassination of the President of the United States. Isn't that illegal?
posted by eriko at 4:13 PM on August 14, 2006
They were charged with collecting or providing materials for terrorist acts and surveillance of a vulnerable target for terrorist purposes.
William Kowalski, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office, said authorities believe the surveillance charge was connected to images of the Mackinac Bridge found on a digital camera belonging to the men.
posted by leftcoastbob at 6:48 PM on August 14, 2006
William Kowalski, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office, said authorities believe the surveillance charge was connected to images of the Mackinac Bridge found on a digital camera belonging to the men.
posted by leftcoastbob at 6:48 PM on August 14, 2006
if you're a terrorist, you can do surveillance on the mackinac bridge through this web cam ... (click on bridge cams to the left)
posted by pyramid termite at 8:59 PM on August 14, 2006
posted by pyramid termite at 8:59 PM on August 14, 2006
The charges have been dropped, not surprisingly.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:09 PM on August 15, 2006
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:09 PM on August 15, 2006
So what, now theft, drugs, black market, and other pedestrian crimes are going to be terra-related?
The guy at Drug WarRant has been attending the DEA's traveling museum exhibit on drugs and terrorism.
posted by homunculus at 4:45 PM on August 15, 2006
The guy at Drug WarRant has been attending the DEA's traveling museum exhibit on drugs and terrorism.
posted by homunculus at 4:45 PM on August 15, 2006
The charges have been dropped, not surprisingly.
"In the Michigan case, the FBI said Monday that it had no indication that the men had any ties to known terrorist groups. Local prosecutors, however, were standing by the charges."
posted by quonsar at 10:03 AM on August 16, 2006
"In the Michigan case, the FBI said Monday that it had no indication that the men had any ties to known terrorist groups. Local prosecutors, however, were standing by the charges."
posted by quonsar at 10:03 AM on August 16, 2006
I was checking back on this. Seems like an interesting case and maybe time to start a "Free the Caro Three" campaign. The above link for having dropped the charges is a similar case in Ohio. Latest news in the Michigan case is that the prosecutor is standing by the charges (a la quonsar's link).
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:50 AM on August 16, 2006
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:50 AM on August 16, 2006
The cell phones were just a diversion. The gel bras are the real threat!
posted by homunculus at 8:05 PM on August 16, 2006
posted by homunculus at 8:05 PM on August 16, 2006
and just today: ... She was carrying hand cream - a banned item - and matches on board the United Airlines flight.
The aircraft was escorted into Logan airport by two jet fighters.
Responding to reports that the woman had been tied up during the flight, United Airlines spokesman Brandon Borrman said that she had been restrained.
"Safety and security are top priority. Crews are trained to restrain when they feel it is appropriate for the safety and security of the flight," he said.
Reports that the woman was carrying a screwdriver and a note referring to al-Qaeda have been denied.
posted by amberglow at 8:14 PM on August 16, 2006
The aircraft was escorted into Logan airport by two jet fighters.
Responding to reports that the woman had been tied up during the flight, United Airlines spokesman Brandon Borrman said that she had been restrained.
"Safety and security are top priority. Crews are trained to restrain when they feel it is appropriate for the safety and security of the flight," he said.
Reports that the woman was carrying a screwdriver and a note referring to al-Qaeda have been denied.
posted by amberglow at 8:14 PM on August 16, 2006
Ah, it didn't even occur to me that there could be two similar cases. Mea culpa.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:57 PM on August 16, 2006
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:57 PM on August 16, 2006
Bummer about the gel bras, homunculus. I am just hoping they won't ban my favorite bras.
posted by madamjujujive at 9:06 PM on August 16, 2006
posted by madamjujujive at 9:06 PM on August 16, 2006
Earbucket, hate to beat a dead horse, but that's a different case.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:04 PM on August 18, 2006
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:04 PM on August 18, 2006
I guess I'm still interested in this case. The terrorism charges have been dropped, but they have kept these charges:
"money laundering and trafficking counterfeit material."
Trafficking counterfeit material seems odd - I thought they bought some of these at WalMart. Seems like grasping at straws to save face. They are still in prison because they can't make the 30,000 dollar bail.
"One other condition [for their release] was that the three men had to have family members turn in their passports to the United States Attorney's Office in Dallas." Which seems ridiculous if it is supposedly just money laundering and counterfeit material.
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=4482337
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:13 AM on August 22, 2006
"money laundering and trafficking counterfeit material."
Trafficking counterfeit material seems odd - I thought they bought some of these at WalMart. Seems like grasping at straws to save face. They are still in prison because they can't make the 30,000 dollar bail.
"One other condition [for their release] was that the three men had to have family members turn in their passports to the United States Attorney's Office in Dallas." Which seems ridiculous if it is supposedly just money laundering and counterfeit material.
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=4482337
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:13 AM on August 22, 2006
and they're counting Hydrogen peroxide in the house as possessing bomb-making materials, i read too. Doesn't everyone have that in the house?
posted by amberglow at 4:05 PM on August 22, 2006
posted by amberglow at 4:05 PM on August 22, 2006
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posted by quonsar at 3:29 PM on August 13, 2006