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AG: Ore. Plot Could Have Been "Tragically Real"
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said a Somali-born teen's plot to detonate a bomb in Portland, Ore., could have been "tragically real" if not for federal authorities.
Mohamed Osman Mohamud is accused of attempting to blow up a van during a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, but FBI agents had infiltrated the plot in its early stages and supplied Mohamud with fake explosives.
"We were able to thwart somebody who clearly had the intention by his own words and by his actions to harm a great many people, to do real serious damage to property, to put at risk the lives of American citizens - including children," Holder said, adding that if Mohamud hadn't come in contact with the FBI, he "would have made his plans tragically real."
A federal grand jury indicted Mohumud, 19, Monday on charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He entered a not guilty plea later in the day in federal court in Portland.
Special Section: Terrorism in the U.S.
Meanwhile, patrols around mosques and other Islamic sites in Portland have been stepped up as Muslim leaders expressed fears of retribution.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams said Sunday that he beefed up protection around mosques "and other facilities that might be vulnerable to knuckle-headed retribution" after hearing of the bomb plot.
The move followed a fire Sunday at the Islamic center in Corvallis, a college town about 75 miles southwest of Portland, where Mohamud occasionally worshipped, prompting an FBI arson investigation and concern about the potential for more retaliation.
CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy reports the 18-month FBI sting operation tracked Mohamud as he planned the attack and purchased what he thought were bomb-making materials from undercover federal agents.
The FBI even oversaw what Mohamud thought was a practice run -allowing him to blow up a backpack full of real explosives in a remote location, says Tracy. He planned last Friday's attempt for maximum impact, bragging to undercover agents, "it's gonna be a fireworks show... the New York Times will give it two thumbs up."
Oregon Bomber Suspect Had Date Rape Accusation
Arson at Oregon Plot Suspect's Mosque
Homegrown Terrorism a Growing Threat in U.S.
FBI Sting Foils Portland Terror Plot
Motive Behind Portland Bomb Attempt
FBI Thwarts Somali-American Teen's Car-Bombing
Feds Arrest Somali Teen in Portland Bomb Plot
Mohamud's attorney, Stephen R. Sady, who has represented terrorism suspects held at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, didn't return a telephone message left Sunday by The Associated Press.
The suspect's mother, Maryan Hassan, declined to discuss the issue when contacted by phone late Sunday by the AP, referring all questions to Sady. His father also refused to comment.
Somali leaders in Oregon - a state that has been largely accepting of Muslims - gathered with Portland city leaders Sunday evening to denounce violence and call for help for at-risk Somali youth.
"We left Somalia because of war, and we would like to live in peace as part of the American community," said Kayse Jama, executive director of a local organization founded after the 9/11 attacks to fight anti-Muslim sentiment. "We are Portlanders. We are Oregonians. We are Americans, and we would like to be treated that way. We are your co-workers, your neighbors."
© 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mohamed Osman Mohamud is accused of attempting to blow up a van during a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, but FBI agents had infiltrated the plot in its early stages and supplied Mohamud with fake explosives.
"We were able to thwart somebody who clearly had the intention by his own words and by his actions to harm a great many people, to do real serious damage to property, to put at risk the lives of American citizens - including children," Holder said, adding that if Mohamud hadn't come in contact with the FBI, he "would have made his plans tragically real."
A federal grand jury indicted Mohumud, 19, Monday on charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He entered a not guilty plea later in the day in federal court in Portland.
Special Section: Terrorism in the U.S.
Meanwhile, patrols around mosques and other Islamic sites in Portland have been stepped up as Muslim leaders expressed fears of retribution.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams said Sunday that he beefed up protection around mosques "and other facilities that might be vulnerable to knuckle-headed retribution" after hearing of the bomb plot.
The move followed a fire Sunday at the Islamic center in Corvallis, a college town about 75 miles southwest of Portland, where Mohamud occasionally worshipped, prompting an FBI arson investigation and concern about the potential for more retaliation.
CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy reports the 18-month FBI sting operation tracked Mohamud as he planned the attack and purchased what he thought were bomb-making materials from undercover federal agents.
The FBI even oversaw what Mohamud thought was a practice run -allowing him to blow up a backpack full of real explosives in a remote location, says Tracy. He planned last Friday's attempt for maximum impact, bragging to undercover agents, "it's gonna be a fireworks show... the New York Times will give it two thumbs up."
Oregon Bomber Suspect Had Date Rape Accusation
Arson at Oregon Plot Suspect's Mosque
Homegrown Terrorism a Growing Threat in U.S.
FBI Sting Foils Portland Terror Plot
Motive Behind Portland Bomb Attempt
FBI Thwarts Somali-American Teen's Car-Bombing
Feds Arrest Somali Teen in Portland Bomb Plot
Mohamud's attorney, Stephen R. Sady, who has represented terrorism suspects held at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, didn't return a telephone message left Sunday by The Associated Press.
The suspect's mother, Maryan Hassan, declined to discuss the issue when contacted by phone late Sunday by the AP, referring all questions to Sady. His father also refused to comment.
Somali leaders in Oregon - a state that has been largely accepting of Muslims - gathered with Portland city leaders Sunday evening to denounce violence and call for help for at-risk Somali youth.
"We left Somalia because of war, and we would like to live in peace as part of the American community," said Kayse Jama, executive director of a local organization founded after the 9/11 attacks to fight anti-Muslim sentiment. "We are Portlanders. We are Oregonians. We are Americans, and we would like to be treated that way. We are your co-workers, your neighbors."
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Only thing is... the FBI is always right there to help the crackpot along... right up to the point where they hand him the big, round, black bomb and a Diamond "Strike Anywhere" match... at which time, they make an arrest and we have another show trial.
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There are NO terrorists in America my friends. If there were, they wouldn't be burning shoes and underwear, they'd be derailing freight trains on bridges over the Mississippi River... setting fires in our national forests and wheatfields... hijacking gasoline tankers and burning them in quiet neighborhoods... stalking school buses... firing high power rifles into gasoline refineries... burning lumber yards at 3 AM.
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No my friends, there are no "terrorists" in America... other than the ones in your fevered imagination.
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Get out from behind your computer terminal... Go outside and breathe the good, clean air. Stop being a prisoner to your fear and paranoia.
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As FDR said.. "The only thing we have to fear... is fear itself."
"To those who disbelieve (Islam)...fight with them until...religion should be only for Allah" - Koran, al-Anfal (spoils of war) 8:38&39
"Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies of Allah (non-Muslims)" - Koran, al-Anfal (spoils of war) 8:60
"Exhort the believers (in Islam) to fight. If there be of you twenty steadfast they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a hundred they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because the disbelievers are a folk without intelligence." -Koran, Al-Anfal (spoils of war) 8:65
"Slay the idolaters (non-Muslims) wherever you find them, and take them captives, and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush" - Koran, at-Taubah 9:5
"...make war on the leaders of unbelief (in Islam)...Make war on them: Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace..." -Koran, at-Tawba 9:12-14
"Fight those who do not believe in Allah?out of those who have been given the Book (Jews and Christians) until they pay the Jizya tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection." - Koran, Al-Tawba 9:29
"Oh you who believe (in Islam)! Fight those of the infidels (non-Muslims) that are near you and let them find in you hardness" -Koran, at-Tawba 9:123
"When you meet the unbelievers (in Islam) in jihad, chop off their heads..." - Koran, Muhammad 47:4
"Muhammad is Allah's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers (in Islam)." -Koran, al-Fath (victory, conquest) 48:29
"Men are in charge of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, beat them; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great. " - Koran, an-Nisa (women) 4:34
It's hard when we see transcripts like these... It seems to incite fights, killings, revenge, brutality, enslavement, oppression... very sad!
You'd think guys like this would wise up a little. I mean, there's a TV show that more or less chronicles how you got caught! I guess we're lucky these people aren't too bright.
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The U.S. government brings thousands of these "refugees" to America... stuffs money in their pockets and plants them in YOUR neighborhood.
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The FBI latches on to a few and shepherds them along until the Empire needs another show trial, at which time, the crackpots are rounded-up and used to show the American people why they must give up their Privacy and Freedom so the government can "Keep Murka safe".