Post-Sept. 11, terrorists increasingly take aim at `soft targets'

[ECH1969]

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - The bombings in London highlight a post-Sept. 11 trend in which terrorists have been going after easy-to-hit "soft targets" with the aim of inflicting mass casualties, undermining confidence in governments and drumming up new recruits and support.

Some U.S. officials and independent experts attribute the trend in large measure to changes that extremists have made in their tactics since President Bush launched the U.S.-led global campaign against terrorists.

Attacks on easy-to-hit targets also have become a daily feature of the war in Iraq, where bombers, many dispatched by al-Qaida's Iraqi affiliate led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, have been hitting hotels, restaurants and other public buildings.

The growing civilian death toll there has fueled disdain for the U.S.-led military coalition and undermined confidence in the Iraqi government's ability to restore security and rebuild the country.

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/12088499.htm

[mike_c]

1. how are they still "terrorists" otherwise...?

This article reveals itself as propoganda from its basic premise-- anyone who fights against western imperialism is a "terrorist."

[geek tragedy]

4. Oh please. They're talking about sites like airports, police stations,

skyscrapers, etc.

Ramming four planes into the WTC was beyond any doubt an act of terrorism, but it did not involve a soft target.

Sorry, but your attempts to defend anti-American violence don't hold up here.

[mike_c]

5. huh? of course the WTC was a soft target....

It was undefended, full of civilians, and it crumpled like a dropped egg from an event that might reasonably have been assumed within its design parameters (recall that the Empire State Bldg was accidentally struck by an airplane once). The only thing "hard" about it was delivering an appropriate amount of force-- a backpack full of explosives would not have worked-- but once the airliners were in hand, which required little more than dedication and box knives, it was evidently an easy target. The Pentagon, on the other hand, was clearly somewhat harder, and is undoubtedly much harder today, at least in terms of being defended.

[geek tragedy]

6. The airplanes themselves were certainly not soft targets.

"Soft-target" refers to the level of security.

The 911 terrorists had to overcome several security obstacles in order to commandeer the planes.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

10. i agree with you on this premise

the shifting definition is disturbing.

[nashville_brook]

2. "some u.s. officials/indie experts attribute..." sounds pretty vague

why should we believe them? the article goes on to provide extreamly shaky quotes (one unattributed).

then, there's the thing about the "new al qaeda" attacks being less sophisticated. yesterday's bombings seemed pretty sophisticated to me. yesterday's attack didn't resemble an Iraqi operation at all. it resembled Madrid.

this writer makes an unsupported, or at least weakly supported claim.

[CJCRANE]

3. well ,that's because

most intelligence agencies know how to stop complicated/sophisticated attacks such as for instance known terrorists training in flight schools who aren't interested in takeoffs or landings...

[Rick Myers]

7. Reminds me of the Dillinger quote

Mr. Dillinger, why do you rob banks?

"Because that's were the money is!"

:toast:

[kurtyboy]

9. Actually, It was WIllie Sutton

http://www.fbi.gov/libref/historic/famcases/sutton/sutton.htm

<snip>
Born on June 30, 1901, in Brooklyn, New York, Willie Sutton was the fourth of five children. He attended school through eighth grade, then left home to secure a job. Sutton's employment included jobs as a clerk, a driller and a gardener. His longest continuous employment lasted 18 months. Sutton was married in 1929, but his wife divorced him after he was incarcerated. He remarried in 1933. Before his death, Sutton co-authored "I, Willie Sutton" and "Where the Money Was."

Willie Sutton acquired two nicknames, "The Actor" and "Slick Willie," for his ingenuity in executing robberies in various disguises. Fond of expensive clothes, Sutton was described as being an immaculate dresser. Although he was a bank robber, Sutton had the reputation of a gentleman; in fact, people present at his robberies stated he was quite polite. One victim said witnessing one of Sutton's robberies was like being at the movies, except the usher had a gun. When asked why he robbed banks, Sutton simply replied, "Because that's where the money is."

On February 15, 1933, Sutton and a confederate attempted to rob the Corn Exchange Bank and Trust Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sutton, disguised as a mailman, entered the bank early in the morning. The curiosity of a passerby caused the robbery attempt to be abandoned. However, on January 15, 1934 Sutton entered the same bank with two companions through a skylight. When the watchman arrived, they forced him to admit the employees as usual. Each employee was handcuffed and crowded into a small room.

Sutton also executed a Broadway jewelry store robbery in broad daylight, impersonating a postal telegraph messenger. Sutton's other disguises included a policeman, messenger and maintenance man. He usually arrived at the banks or stores slightly before they opened for the day.

[Ian David]

8. In Iraq they hit people waiting in line to sign-up for police training

What if they start hitting stupid shit like High School basketball games, museums, etc.

Discos and dance clubs are a favorite terrorist target.

And let's not forget The Olympic Park Bomber.

Damn, a single sniper team inside the DC beltway wreaked havoc and disruption for weeks.

[bemildred]

11. This is drool, pablum, non-information.

Terrorism is very old, and the US has been fighting it for a long time, and "soft targets" have always been a favorite when "hard targets" are inaccessible. If you really want to protect subways, make parliament easy to get to, or leave military installations unguarded.