White House: No 'credible intelligence' of summer terrorism threat against the U.S.

I'm happy to see Mr. Chertoff share his views with us, it's too bad an ordinary citizen without his secret information, called this 2 days ago. The only difference was, the citizen was warning other citizens so they could protect themselves (like the Iraqis are doing) from this threat. Mr. Chertoff's only remedy for this situation is to give up more freedom. This is a sick administration. While Mr. Chertoff tells us about his his homeland security issued gut feeling, I (the citizen) laid out a my reasons for an imminent attack/attack threat using only mortal means. Dear George, I want his job. If not for me, for anybody else in the world, this guy does not work for America, he works for Bush.

We are in Iraq because of gut feelings. We the citizens now demand more because we don't trust your instincts anymore.

First we got color code security warnings now we have "gut" feelings.

What's next? Knee warnings? Forehead?

Maybe Chertoff heard about John D's "business trip" and just assumed the worst.

If you would improve your commets section, I would have posted it right here, then you could have scooped yourself instead of having me scoop you in a rival paper.

Good point, but the Trib was happy to be
a willing bed-mate for Chertoff's little sit down with it's Editorial Board...and put it on the front of the paper and website. "Gut feeling"? I've got a gut feeling both the Trib and Chertoff are tools.

Was there "credible evidence" of a possible terrorist attack before 9/11? That would depend on who you talk to.

Mr Chertoff would like to tighten our borders, especially with our neighbors to the north. Businesses and citizens call this removal of freedom, not the added inconvenience and cost that these measures are.

I agree that placing more restrictions at points of entry are not good for business or travel, they create backups of cargo and delays for people. But I would rather face a few inconveniences than the possibility of a bomb in the subway on my way to or from work.

Dear citizens you are about to be attacked, you need to let us peep in your windows. versus. Dear citizens, you are about to be attacked, make sure you have at least a 1 month supply of food and water, an oh yeah, don't forget the iodine.

No credible intelligence for quite some time now...

Just the usual diversion tactics for an admin that's on the ropes.

The Dems need to speed up the impeachment process,the country is united in wanting to sweep these guys from office.

How much money have we taxpayers dumped on the so-called Homeland Security Department? How many posts there are still unfilled? 400-something? I guess they can't find as many 'loyal Bushies' as they thought they could. Here's a gut feeling: this @$$hole doesn't have a clue and that's why he's chief flake/flunky.

When I read what Chertoff said my gut reaction was he's trying to frighten us and distract us from something his boss has done recently they don't want us to know about.

You make absolutely zero sense, Barry. Bush is no hero w/r/t very many issues. However, he has been steadfast and consistent on terrorism. There has not been an attack here since 9/11. There's no denying that! Amazingly, no attacks and you're still allowed to post your thoughts here??? Seems like you still have one or two rights in tact even after the "evil" Bush administration has been in office for 6.5 years.

Just read Ron Suskind's "One Percent Doctrine." Fascinating stuff with some very interesting anecdotes, including a report that Ayman Zamahiri CALLED OFF an attack several years ago that was in its final stages. No one can know for sure why he did this, but is it possible that AL Qaeda is not necessarily trying to attack us right now?

My "gut:" large scale attacks soon after the next president takes office. This would fit with an Al Qaeda pattern going back to 1993, when the first WTC bombing occurred barely a month into the Clinton presidency. Of course 9/11 was less than a year into the Bush presidency, and the attempted attacks in London were within weeks of a new prime minister taking over. They could also be timed to coincide with the presidential election, though this one will not be as easy to sway as when Bin Laden gave his ringing reverse-psychology endorsement to President Bush in the 2004 elections.

One other interesting anecdote from Suskind's book was that the the eventual mastermind of the London subway bombings was in the CIA's crosshairs. He was scheduled to come to the States presumably to activate terrorist cells. The CIA and the Administration debated what to do with him, deciding to put him on the no-fly list. Of all the options, this seems the least intelligent since it tips him off that he's being watched, but does nothing to disrupt his activities and does nothing to assist the British in stopping him.

Several months later, 4 bombs went off in London, killing 52 and injuring over 700. Wise decision-making by the Administration and CIA had a very high likelihood of stopping these attacks as well as extracting information from this known high-value target.

For more: http://www.americablog.com/2005/07/bush-admin-may-be-responsible-for.html

Chertoff has no "credible evidence" to back up his claim but as a loyal Bushie it's his duty to scare people anyway.

kg123,

Chertoff should be protecting Central Florida.
Little Johnny's "business trip" was probably just a class field trip to DisneyLand.

How about communicating with each other?? Yesterday we hear of 'gut' feelings and today we hear of 'no credible intelligence' ... get your stories straight! The American people are sick of Bush and his team (is it truly a team)?? and their lies ... c'mon 2008!!

There is not a citizen out there that believes we will never be hit with another act of terrorism, so how does one defend this war in Iraq with, it will stop terrorism? They claim this war will stop terrorism yet not one sole believes that. ?????????

Dear Jim,
Wise old pop Barry used to tell me "If you don't like jerks, don't be one", I will take his advice and not respond to your drivel.

Dear Jim,
Wise old pop Barry used to tell me "If you don't like jerks, don't be one", I will take his advice and not respond to your drivel.

Expect more executive press releases involving opinions, feelings, and emotions about this issue. The very topic is fear inducing.

Anyone who thinks that a group of people who were clever enough to infiltrate The United States and suck billions and billions of dollars from our economy using a few $.19 razors, has now totaly changed their method of operations and decided to take up small arms and stand in front of the United States Military, PROBABLY VOTED FOR BUSH/CHENEY.

Two points. First of all, the WH is now in a no-win situation if there is an attack. Chertoff says he has a "hunch" but the White House says "ignore it." Second, to the person who claims that Bush is a success because we haven't been attacked since 9/11: I want you to know that I have been diligentlyon guard against UFO invasions for over 35 years. Since ET hasn't trained his disintigrating laser beams on us, I, too, am an unqualified success.

No thanks are necessary. I'm just doing my job.

The terrorists have won. The point of terrorism is to cause terror. If the Homeland Security Chief is shivering in his boots because of a "gut feeling" and proclaiming that the sky is about to fall without any credible evidence, then we have lost the war on terror

The terrorists have won. The point of terrorism is to cause terror. If the Homeland Security Chief is shivering in his boots because of a "gut feeling" and proclaiming that the sky is about to fall without any credible evidence, then we have lost the war on terror

He should have a sinking feeling about loosing his job right along with Cheney and Bush. Anyone remember checks and balances? The real threat to our GREAT country is in the White House!

As a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security I'm ashamed. What is the function of DHS? To scare people so our President can assure us that everything will be OK? What kind of a joke is this? Shame on the tribune for even running this. We need real leadership.

Lol! Thanks for your years of steadfast vigilance Tim!!! You are a true patriot! But seriously, I'd feel safer if we invaded Mars!

If Secy Chertoff is correct, and there is increased risk, then we should raise the threat alert level.

If he is wrong, he should be fired....now.

I can't help but wonder if this is a bungling and cruel (to the public) attempt to bolster the Bush administration's push to stay in Iraq forever--or at least until January 2009 when they can dump the whole mess on the Democrats. The idea is to scare us citizens into stopping the push for a pullout in the near term.

If so, it's another reason why Chertoff should be fired...now. Our pretty useless Congress should call for hinm to raise the threat level or admit he was exaggerating and resign.

San Francisco and Bezerkley are safe. Even the terrorists need a fan club.

People - it's not an election year, Bush has no need to use scare tactics to try to keep his regime in power.

Wait till next year & we'll see the return of the color-coded warnings.

What do you wear for an orange alert?

There was a Terrorist Attack with real WMD, not Bush's fantasy Iraq kind, after 9/11. It killed some people and tried to kill some very senior Democratic Party US Senators. No one has ever been arrested for that post 9/11 attack. Al-Qaeda has killed many young Americans in Iraq post 9/11. They are just as dead as those who died on 9/11. Finally, for those who keep telling us about how we have not have an attack since 9/11, and offering that as proof that Bush is doing a good job, Before Bill Clinton left Office, there had not been a successful Terror attack in the USA for a longer period than you are praising Bush for. Bill Clinton did it for longer, without Invading the Middle East. Be sure to send a thank you note to President Clinton for having kept you safe, and for not having been stupid enought to get bogged down in an Iraqmire, like your hero Bush has.

...

we have not had another attack since 9/11 these "idiots" are doing a great job. you political hacks should grow up

Sierra Sam,

You're so silly.

In an effort to keep debates on topic and avoid confusion,we the commentors in the swamp do hereby decree, from this point forward, president bush will forever be referred to as "President Apple" and president clinton will be forever be referred to as "President Orange". Please make sure this memo is recieved by all members, thank you for your cooperation.

Oh Little Unemployed Johnnny E., no Disneyland trip. But I did get to fly on Hubbell Lighting's corporate jet Tuesday and Wednesday. What a pity, Little Johnnny E. is relegated to playing in mummy's and duddy's basement or the occasional night out drinking binge, while the rest of us (well those of us not from the Left) actually work and make money. Jealous, sweetie???

John D,

About that "sweetie" stuff. Can't you try and be a little more discrete? I don't want you to offend your base. Also, I hear you can cure that "condition" of yours with a months stay at Jesus Camp. Best of luck.

John D.,

Do you realize what a goof you sound like?

I gotta fly on da arplane, I gotta fly on da arplane!

Experimental propane propulsion?

Got Head-On? Apply directly to the bulkhead.

Earth to demented twin: I am being condescending!!! Now, we do know you and Johnnny E get it on in the basement, though. Isn't incest a bad thing, though dt?????