U.S. Plans Biggest Terror Drill Ever

Three Fictional "Dirty Bombs" To Go Off In Portland, Phoenix And Guam

(AP)  The nation is preparing for its biggest terrorism exercise ever next week when three fictional "dirty bombs" go off and cripple transportation arteries in two major U.S. cities and Guam, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press.

Yet even as this drill begins, details from the previous national exercise held in 2005 have yet to be publicly released - information that's supposed to help officials prepare for the next real attack.

House lawmakers were expected to demand answers Wednesday, including why the "after-action" report from 2005 hasn't been made public. Congress has required the exercise since 2000, but has done little in the way of oversight beyond attending the actual events.

Next week will be the fourth Top Officials exercise - dubbed TOPOFF. The program costs about $25 million a year and involves the federal government's highest officials, such as top people from the Defense and Homeland Security departments.

"The challenge with TOPOFF is not the exercise itself. It's to move as quickly as possible to remedy what perceives to be the problems that are uncovered," former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said in an interview with AP this week.

Ridge, who launched his own security consulting company on Monday, said he's a big fan of the TOPOFF exercises. But he said "it's not acceptable" that the review from the 2005 exercise is still not released publicly.

The House Homeland Security emergency communications, preparedness and response subcommittee was holding a hearing Wednesday on the terrorism exercise program.

This year's TOPOFF will build on lessons learned from previous exercises, according to the Homeland Security Department, which runs the program. The agency said the Oct. 15-19 exercise would be "the largest and most comprehensive" to date.

According to an internal department briefing of next week's exercise obtained by AP, a dirty bomb will go off at a Cabras power plant in Guam; another dirty bomb will explode on the Steel Bridge in Portland, Ore., impacting major transportation systems, and a third dirty bomb will explode at the intersection of busy routes 101 and 202 near Phoenix.

Local hospitals and law enforcement agencies will be involved in the "attacks" by the dirty bombs, which are conventional explosives that include some radioactive material that would cause contamination over a limited area but not create actual nuclear explosions.

"Lessons learned from the exercise will provide valuable insights to guide future planning for securing the nation against terrorist attacks, disasters and other emergencies," according to the department's Web site.

The after action report from TOPOFF 3, which deals with issues that came up in the 2005 exercise, is supposed to identify areas for improvement. That report is still going through internal reviews.

According to a brief summary of the 2005 exercise - marked For Official Use Only, but obtained by AP - problems arose when officials realized the federal government's law for providing assistance does not cover biological incidents.

The exercise involved a mustard gas attack from an improvised explosive device in Connecticut and the release of the pneumonic plague in New Jersey. This caused certain federal disaster programs to be unavailable to some residents suffering from the attack, according to the summary.

A 2005 Homeland Security inspector general report suggested the department start tracking the lessons learned from these exercises.

And a 2006 White House report on Hurricane Katrina criticized the department for not having a system to address and fix the problems discovered in the TOPOFF exercises.

"The most recent Top Officials (TOPOFF) exercise in April 2005 revealed the federal government's lack of progress in addressing a number of preparedness deficiencies, many of which had been identified in previous exercises," according to the White House.

Previously, a more detailed version of lessons-learned from TOPOFF 2, held in 2003 was not released to states for security reasons.

[dutchfarmer]

If Bush and Cheney get their way, martial law or a police state will be instituted and this is simply practice. Vote Ron Paul for the Republican nominee to president. Ron Paul believes in gun control for the bureaucrats, not the people.

[prinzowhales]

Terror, terror everywhere--except anywhere near our open border where MILLIONS have ambled across unmolested--and the Regime scum just want to DRILL it in....fear, fear, fear, fear...but, the open border is fine and dandy...TSA can sniff granny''s panties, delay flights for silly reasons and amass a small mountain of shampoo...but the border can be crossed by elephants and a mariachi band unmolested.

http://www.madcowprod.com/05252006.html

The above link details a crash of a CIA-connected plane with 5.5 tons of cocaine in Mexico. The CIA has been repeatedly and authoritatively linked to drug dealing all over the world, and you don''t think they are connected to terrorism as well? Even Bush says that there is a link between drugs and terror-- he should know, his father was intimately involved with both in Nicaragua and other places south.

[fastfredy1]

Let do a big execise on the Mexican border

[eggy1620]

Never knew that Guam was near the top of Al Qaeda%u2019s list.

[tucano2]

This is nonsense. A better more effective drill is to round up and deport 100,000 illegal aliens each week. There are about 9,000 illegals in the jails of the "sanctuary city" of Los Angeles alone. How difficult could it be to comply with and enforce current laws?

[prinzowhales]

The big trial of the retarded Miami street gang members that the FBI paid $50,000 to say they were al Qaeda and take pictures of the HQ of the FBI...they held to some kind of Christian believe system. One of their big plans was to go to the White House, knock on the door and say "Here I am." Remember the week in which we were treated to the big scare over thse clowns? Alex Jones is doing a good job today at infowars.com and on his live radio broadcast reminding us of the utter nonsense these ''terrorists'' have been up to...

[michellem99-2009]

Every where. I hate it. I was born in this nation. The TERROR is in the Bush mind. He has messed this nation up so bad. I realise the WTC happened. From then on the lies, the robbing of us. Look the problem is the illegals. We educate them,give them tax free business. Them same fools thank us by their crazy false God who demand they die to make it happy and take others with the crazy fool. Bush has wasted the people''s money. It is not his money to do as he please. And no the people did not put him there,his whinnig did. Everytime some man runs that wands other me ,looks in my purse, etc. I feel raped,dehumanised,this is not the America home of the free. I am older person. All my life I heard* Barbara yer can''t, yer can''t growning up as a girl.* Now it is worse.*Yer can''t this/that. When is the bloody madness going to stop. This is America not some bloody police state.

[prinzowhales]

Alex Jones'' broadcast today--1200-1500 on internet and radio--is dealing with the history of the illegals and their Reconquista Movement--the program of Reconquering the Southwest for Mexico! Are you familiar with Aztlan? The Plan de San Diego? The plan to kill every American in the Southwest from decades ago that many illegals openly support?

The Kennedy-McCain Amnesty Plan wants to grant these people amnesty. In Mexico City, the crowds chanted "Osama! Osama!" against a US sports team. They fly the flag of Mexico in many towns instead of the American flag...In Reno, one storeowner had it above the US flag and a veteran cut it down. All this and the borders remain open.

The Washington REgime realizes all of this--AND THEY SUPPORT IT!! As do the banks that do not demand proper ID for Mexicans to open a checking account and give preferential treatment to illegals TO BUY HOMES!! One bank executive at Bank of America said, ''this would make it impossible to send them back''! Don''t do business with Bank America!!

The Washington Regime is America''s enemy! Troops Home Now!

[gkc99]

No coincidence one of these exercises is in Portland, OR. The federals want a little show of force there to convince the anarchists of "little Beirut" that resistance is useless when Bushit moves Blackwater goons into position for the Nazi takeover.

[slim1h2o]

Let do a big execise on the Mexican border


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Fastfredy1 at 11:47 AM : Oct 03, 2007

I''m with you, good idea!

Does any one want to make a bet that something real, DOES happen next week?

[agnim]

"U.S. Plans Biggest Terror Drill Ever"

I guess they are recognizing that fcuking with the Iranians will have painful consequences. LOL

However, instead of seeking to avert potential danger, the maniacal leader will plunge America head first all the way into the abyss.

If Americans were severely traumatize with a ''little'' 911 and anthrax attack, can you imagine the havoc of a dirty bomb?
America will never be the same again, thanks to a lunatic leader from hell.

[lars008-2009]

THOMAS JEFFERSON KICKED FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAMIST ARSES 200 YEARS AGO,,,

IT WAS THE CORRECT THING TO DO THEN,,, AND IT IS THE CORRECT THING TO DO NOW,,,

America and the Barbary Pirates: An International Battle Against an Unconventional Foe
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/jefferson_papers/mtjprece.html

But with regard to non-Muslims who are at war with the Muslims and do not have a peace treaty with the Muslims or are not living under Muslim rule, then Muslims are commanded to kill them, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
%u201CFight those of the disbelievers who are close to you, and let them find harshness in you%u201D [al-Tawbah 9:123]
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=11406&ln=eng&txt=kill

The atheist who does good deeds is worse than the one who kills his mother and takes care of dogs
What is the reason for people not believing in God being punished? I read that good deeds of such people will not be accepted. So if someone does all he can do to help people and be useful to the society, he will be punished nevertheless if he did not believe in God. But what exactly is the reason of punishing a good man for his atheism?
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=10300&ln=eng&txt=kill

[clestes-2009]

More political spin to try and scare us into thinking the WH actually cares about the American people. They are trying to protect us???

What a laugh.

[gunownerdan]

No terrorist on earth can ever destroy America and our freedoms, but the government sure can.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely!

[suhaalnafa]

You failed in this war, Iraq is the second Vietnam

[speakinup]

SuhaAlNafa - jam it up you camel''s butt. We are killing more terrorists than you and all your ilk''s 72 virgins can create.

Prinzowhales - I think you are the correct camel for SuhaAlNafa to select.

[suhaalnafa]

Go to psychotherapy, dear

[suhaalnafa]

Posted by SuhaAlNafa at 02:33 PM : Oct 03, 2007

Actually, they aren`t able able to help you!

[speakinup]

SuhaAlNafa - do you support Muslim Extremists ? Or are you a far left wing person ?

[lars008-2009]

You failed in this war, Iraq is the second Vietnam
Posted by SuhaAlNafa at 02:27 PM : Oct 03, 2007

the coalition will be in iraq for a long long time,,, thanking you in advance for your gracious hospitality,,,

Iraq: We''ll Negotiate Long-Term Presence
Asks U.N. Security Council To Extend Mandate For U.S. Forces Through End Of Next Year
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/29/iraq/main3311545.shtml

Senate Authorizes $150B More For Wars
Passage Of Defense Policy Bill Comes As Democrats Try To Force An End To Combat
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/01/politics/main3317077.shtml

[suhaalnafa]

I hate the Muslim Brotherhood, I`m a relatively left-wing person, but not so far left-wing

[suhaalnafa]

Ooo dear,Lars, hello, are we starting?

[speakinup]

"I hate the Muslim Brotherhood, I`m a relatively left-wing person, but not so far left-wing. Posted by SuhaAlNafa

ok, I can understand no one would want to be called extreme. I suppose it is a relative term.

Interesting choice of pen names, SuhaAlNafa. As you have capitalized SAIN, then I would presume the rest of the pen name has significance. Care to share ?

[suhaalnafa]

As you have capitalized SAIN, then I would presume the rest of the pen name has significance. Care to share ?
------
Excuse me, I didn`t understand you

I`m not a left extremist and I don`t support the radical left military movements, I`m just a socialist

[speakinup]

I''ll make it real simple.

"SuhaAlNafa" - note the capital letters S-A-I-N.

Is there a significance to your pen-name (SuhaAlNafa), that you''d like to share ?

[suhaalnafa]

Suhaila (Suha is a nickname from it) is my name
Al Nafa is my family name

[speakinup]

Suha, first off - I would not recommend you use your real name, but that is your business.

Why do you say, "You failed in this war, Iraq is the second Vietnam."

[suhaalnafa]

Because Saddam`s regime was a secular left-wing regime and I prefer it instead of the new Iraqi government and the MAIN reason I told is that now in Iraq there is a chaos, and it`s worse than before the invasion

[suhaalnafa]

So yours plans to rebuild Iraq as a democratic and stable state failed

[mcvet]

Suha, first off - I would not recommend you use your real name, but that is your business.

Why do you say, "You failed in this war, Iraq is the second Vietnam.

Posted by speakinup at 03:41 PM : Oct 03, 2007
+ report abuse

Why not ask me, I lived through it. First off YOUR Government has just asked for 190 BILLION Tax Dollars we do not have, we have the Boomers Retiring which is going to add significantly to that debt. Now add to that the FACT that the nations is FALLING APART. DO you losers actually think the Enemy can''t ADD? ROFLMAO What is it with you Fascist.... I''ve often wondered why you losers followed the Fuhrer into his bunker... now I know. We are HIRING MERC''s who are not under the control of we the people and we the people can''t end a war we want ended. Just how much LOSING do you people think is enough? Not enough? Well then add to that the FACT that the people who planned and carried out the attack on us... YOU DO REMEMBER THEM don''t you? Well they have COMPLETELY rebuilt the ORGANIZATION and they used your Fuhrer''s Policy to do it. ROFLMAO I mean I have a 6 year old Grand Daughter who can see THAT!! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[speakinup]

"Because Saddam`s regime was a secular left-wing regime and I prefer it instead of the new Iraqi government and the MAIN reason I told is that now in Iraq there is a chaos, and it`s worse than before the invasion. Posted by SuhaAlNafa

Do you live in Iraq ? Or, do you make your statement for the safety of another country ?

From what I read, any government is ok, so long as you are on top. So, would you prefer Saddam if you were a Shiite Muslim in Iraq ?

[mcvet]

Because Saddam`s regime was a secular left-wing regime and I prefer it instead of the new Iraqi government and the MAIN reason I told is that now in Iraq there is a chaos, and it`s worse than before the invasion


Posted by SuhaAlNafa at 03:46 PM : Oct 03, 2007
+ report abuse

YOU think SADDAM was a LIBERAL? BAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHA You think Saddam wanted to BAN the Death Penality AND wanted Gay Rights? ROFLMAO Sparky it has been said that wearing a Swastika makes you STUPID!! ROFLMAO What do you say that we have a little Nazi Hee Haw because you have ODed on Swastika''s! ROFLMAO Yep you reject from the Carl Rove Nazi Youth Camp you have gone OFF the deep end OR you have been lying to us for YEARS now because THAT is what you losers have been telling us Liberals are. So lets put on that hood and sheet there... go get the rope and sing out!!! SIEG HEIL!! SIEG HEIL!! ROFLMAO You you freaks were half as good at being NUTs with the enemy maybe we aren''t going bankrupt!! You really aren''t the sharpest knife in the old drawer there... HONEST!! ROFLMAO

[suhaalnafa]

i`m not from Iraq, dear!

[j-whitman]

speakinup,,,, Aren''t you wasting your bosses money using your job for personal internet use ????

[suhaalnafa]

I`m a Shiite Muslim in other country, however, it`s not so important, what religion do you have, it`s a question of ideologies! Baath party which is rulling in our country (and was rulling in Iraq) has a left-wing secular ideology.
And the new governors of Iraq have more religious opinion.

[suhaalnafa]

I`m a Shiite Muslim in other country, however, it`s not so important, what religion do you have, it`s a question of ideologies! Baath party which is rulling in our country (and was rulling in Iraq) has a left-wing secular ideology.
And the new governors of Iraq have more religious opinion.

[suhaalnafa]

I`m a Shiite Muslim in other country, however, it`s not so important, what religion do you have, it`s a question of ideologies! Baath party which is rulling in our country (and was rulling in Iraq) has a left-wing secular ideology.
And the new governors of Iraq have more religious opinion.

[j-whitman]

Fictional Dirty Bombs, indeed.... The idea is a work of fiction..... Our Homeland Security in action for political uses,,,, Shame on you

[suhaalnafa]

I`m a Shiite Muslim in other country, however, it`s not so important, what religion do you have, it`s a question of ideologies! Baath party which is rulling in our country (and was rulling in Iraq) has a left-wing secular ideology.
And the new governors of Iraq have more religious opinion.

[suhaalnafa]

I`m a Shiite Muslim in other country, however, it`s not so important, what religion do you have, it`s a question of ideologies! Baath party which is rulling in our country (and was rulling in Iraq) has a left-wing secular ideology.
And the new governors of Iraq have more religious opinion.

[suhaalnafa]

I`m a Shiite Muslim in other country, however, it`s not so important, what religion do you have, it`s a question of ideologies! Baath party which is rulling in our country (and was rulling in Iraq) has a left-wing secular ideology.
And the new governors of Iraq have more religious opinion.

[speakinup]

Iran maybe ?

[j-whitman]

They should be having terrorist drills in GITMO to figure out what a terrorist is --
--- Bush has politicalized the war on terror, detains people for life they can''t even figure out which one is a threat...

Files Raise Questions on GITMO Decisions
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/guantanamo_the_way_out;_ylt=ApKN97HFyEfdPvzlWzRBK6is0NUE

[lars008-2009]

Posted by speakinup at 04:02 PM : Oct 03, 2007

she is syrian,,,

syria,,,
Fear of torture or ill-treatment
http://tharwacommunity.typepad.com/syrianelector_english/

[j-whitman]

SuhaAlNafa,,,, Ignore speakinup, she''s not a good example of an American in our country..
.. She''s the example of the small percentage of religious, historicaly & polittically ignorant and corrupt.

[suhaalnafa]

Now, not Iran, Syria, iran is a theocracy, we are a secular republic.

[notblue]

jwhitman, BUsh has been unwavering in his campaign to eliminate terrorists by actually fighting and staying the course, it''s the surrender and retreat Democrats that have politicised the war on terror. While in most of your statements you refuse to even acknowledge a war on terror I guess there are instances that require you to admit to it, just another glaring example of your lack of content just more leftwing rhetoric and blather.

[j-whitman]

notblue,,,, Again you make up BS to support Bush''s faniticism ------- I support fighting terror correctly not escellating world hatered & terrorism as Bush has..... Learn the causes, Bush is an example of the ignorance & is feeding the problem --- It''s the Zionism of European Jews,in alignment with major world powers.

Bacteriological Warfare

The Haganah put typhus bacteria into the water going to Acre, the people got sick, and the Jewish forces occupied Acre. This worked so well that they sent a Haganah division dressed as Arabs into Gaza, where there were Egyptian forces, and the Egyptians caught them putting two cans of bacteria, typhus and dysentery, into the water supply in wanton disregard of the civilian population.

http://www.inminds.com/jews-of-iraq.html

[stevenga777]

U.S. Plans Biggest Terror Drill Ever

What country is the U.S. going to practice terrorizing this year?

[speakinup]

Suha - So, in the US, there was a concern when John F Kennedy became president because of his religious back-ground, Catholic. But, it turned out to be a non-issue.

While you state that Saddam''s "Presidency" (more like a dictatorship) was secular, you can not plausably deny that Shiites suffered under his rule much more than the Sunnis. The Shiites welcomed his downfall in great numbers once liberated. They were once again allowed to practise their religion.