OBL reportedly targeted Obama for 9/11/11 attack

The Marine One helicopter carrying President Obama takes off from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington July 1, 2011, for Camp David, Md.

/ AP Photo

Before Osama bin Laden died at the hands of U.S. Navy SEALs in May, his terror wish list reportedly included attacking the United States on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and shooting down President Obama's helicopter or plane while the president was in the air.

A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News correspondent Bob Orr Friday that intelligence gathered during the May 2 raid on bin Laden's compound in Pakistan revealed that the al Qaeda head discussed with his operations planners a wide array of potential attacks against the U.S. and senior American officials.

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All of the discussions were determined by the U.S. government to be "aspirational," and there is no evidence to indicate that any ideas ever developed into an actual plot, Orr reports. The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that discussions among bin Laden and his deputies about the opaque 9/11 anniversary attack included which of al Qaeda's operatives should be involved.

ABC News reported Friday that those discussions included targeting Mr. Obama aboard Air Force One or Marine One and executing a similar airborne attack against Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan who was recently confirmed as the next director of the CIA.

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The revelations from the obtained intelligence emphasize that bin Laden remained fixated, years after al Qaeda hijacked American airliners to use as weapons, on aviation as a potential target or weapon, Orr reports. The U.S. official noted that the intelligence also shows that, despite bin Laden's isolation in his Abbottabad compound, he was still involved in planning operations and directing those plans.

[NotPartyControlled]

"A U.S. official" It's getting harder and harder to believe news articles that have an anonymous "official" as the source.

[expatriate2]

SEAN 49c -- I don't suppose you have proof that Obama has received money from the oil industry in the form of "graft." In fact, the Center for Responsive Politics said, "Comparing Obama's and McCain's financial ties to the oil industry, there's no question that McCain has benefited more from the industry's contributions, just as his Republican Party has for years and years."

[tsarbomba29]

@expat: REAL 'patriots' don't run away from home when their nation has problems. BTW, stay wherever you are, you're not needed/wanted here

[realist2010]

Interesting. Republicans appear to have abandoned everything they hold dear to rally around a central theme: hate.

How far do you think hate will take you? Have you noticed the similarities between the emerging extremist right wing of the Republican party and Islamist fundamentalists? I have.

[josephp5]

So while Osama was hiding like a rabbit in his bunker hole, he and his cohorts passed the time by fantasizing about what they would like to do on the ten year anniversary of the big attack---the attack which was the reason that Osama had to remain in hiding and could no longer be exposed to the light of day.

Why is some anonymous CIA official peddling this story?

Is is to continue to justify the huge expenditures necessary to maintain the surveillance state? Or could it be to distract from The Nation's groundbreaking article detailing secret CIA prisons in Somalia?

[gunky107]

Remember the High Tech War room in Osama's mansion. Got luv these guys who try to rewrite history.

[tsarbomba29]

'The story' came from info gathered at OBL's compound. But, you two know better, right? lol

[AGMINES]

God Bless The United States of America, our Troops, Military, and Pentagon.

God Bless our President, Congress, and Senate along with the Cabinet, Agencies, and Citizens that pay for them.

If you do not believe in any God or Gods then a Thank You to American Citizens with the cooperation of many nations and allies, is in order.

Tyrants, Terrorist and Cowards such as Bin Laden have been and will always be losers in this life so long as Freedom Rings.

We, Americans might fight and debate among ourselves, but together nobody can penetrate our sense of justice when needed.

Happy American With Gratitude To Many!

[AGMINES]

Well, Bin Laden is not plotting anything since he sleeps with the fishes as Allah Wills!

Insh'Allah courtesy of President Obama and President Bush and US Seals and US Military and few only Allah knows of, as Bin Laden ended up dead for his misdeeds of killing innocent children, women, and fathers.

Bin Laden is now an After Fart!

[AGMINES]

Well, Bin Laden is not plotting anything since he sleeps with the fishes as Allah Wills!

Insh'Allah courtesy of President Obama and President Bush and US Seals and US Military and few only Allah knows of, as Bin Laden ended up dead for his misdeeds of killing innocent children, women, and fathers.

Bin Laden is now an After Fart!

[Zann-Zel]

I predict this year on that 10 year anniversary of sept. 11 -there may not be many people flying!

[dsmst]

Obama must have reportedly reported this to boost poll numbers.

[stevex47]

Nah, bin laden was just mad at Obama for making bin ladens pal boosh look so bad.

You do know boosh pal'd around with bin laden for 50 years right?
Ouch the truth hurts.

[tsarbomba29]

@steve: 50 yrs? LOL Buy a clue, idiot.

[skyviewperspective]

WHY does the media continue to reveal "the wishes" of this terrorist? Are they ignorant enough to think that it won't cause some nut case out there to do something? Be more responsible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AGMINES]

I see nothing wrong in repeating what Bin Laden wanted to do, but now cannot do it!

Insh'Allah Islam way of saying "God Wills", Muslims know hwat that means and that mean Allah made sure Bin laden is no longer around to hurt anyone anymore, and Bin laden did not enter Paradise as he planned, cowards that hide behind womena nd children are not accepted.

[TexGEOas]

When CBS leads with "reportedly"... you know it's not true.

Obama a target? In Bin Laden's dreams!