3 car loads of guys at 3 am pull up? (read scenario first)

[Zundfolge]

My answer is #4 and #5

While I doubt it was an AlQueda cell that showed up at your former door it was still probably people who weren't there to welcome you home and thank you for liberating their relations.

 

[Vic303]

Do #2-3, and a modified #5. Ask the residents to contact the FBI since they have first hand knowledge of what happened.

 

[psyopspec]

Considering a quarter of the responses have been the FBI option, I wonder why there's so few elaborations on their reasoning. Anyone else who voted that way care to chime in?

 

[Thin Black Line]

Something to consider

There is good logic to assume the 3 carloads would have had nothing to
do either with the new occupants nor the former occupant. It could
simply be mere coincidence of 3 cars getting lost in the middle of the night
on there way to someplace else and then a loud somewhat angry
conversation as they tried to get back on course. Yes, total chance
to be in front of *that* house.....but what if it was still a part of something
more ominous:

World News

The Times June 05, 2006

Canadian parliament 'was target of fertiliser bomb'

From Tim Reid in Washington

SEVENTEEN terror suspects accused of amassing a cache of explosives to carry out an “al-Qaeda-inspired” bombing campaign in Canada will appear in court tomorrow.

The 12 men, aged between 19 and 43, and five teenagers younger than 18, all had Arabic names and were nearly all Canadian citizens.

They were arrested during raids on Friday night in Toronto. Police said that they found three tonnes of ammonium nitrate and a mobile phone that had been modified to become a detonator.

The amount of explosive was three times the amount of ammonium nitrate used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, which destroyed a federal building, killing 168 and injuring more than 800.

The police refused to divulge the terror suspects’ alleged targets, but a report in the Toronto Star said that the group had been focusing on the parliament buildings in Ottawa and the offices of the Canadian Security Intelligence Services in Toronto.

The police said that the men had attended a training camp together and had made videotapes of their activities. They also said that they had had contact with two terror suspects arrested in the US in March. Since the 7/7 bombings in London, Canadian authorities have given warning of the potential for the country’s own strain of homegrown Islamic extremism, especially with the presence of Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

In Toronto’s suburbs, there are growing Muslim communities and an increasing number of mosques. Last night, vandals smashed 30 windows of one Toronto mosque and damaged nearby cars.

Luc Portelance, assistant director of operations with the Canadian intelligence services, said that the suspects “appeared to have become adherents of a violent ideology inspired by al-Qaeda”.

For more detailed information:

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/cover060406.htm

 

[Thin Black Line]

Since my post yesterday it looks like 2% have moved out of the #1 and
#2 categories (equivalent to "do nothing.")

Anybody who previously voted #1 or #2 like to change their vote? Likewise,
anyone from the "you're wearing tinfoil" crowd like to comment? Would
you do something different based on the news over the weekend?

 

[FPrice]

Anybody who previously voted #1 or #2 like to change their vote? Likewise, anyone from the "you're wearing tinfoil" crowd like to comment? Would
you do something different based on the news over the weekend?

Not particularly. Unless maybe I lived in a Canadian "target".

You see I believe that the "Islamo-fascists" (to use Rush's term) are a bit smarter than we give them credit for. I think that they can look at Western culture and realize that there are segments which will over-react to actual terrorist events and begin seeing a terrorist behind every person who "looks or sounds Arabic" plus others who will use this reaction for their own dubious purposes. his can have several different consequences. It can cause us to harass (and possibly alienate) certain groups of people. It could drive those who do not now support these Islamo-fascists in the ranks of their supporters. And it could help widen certain splits in our population.

People still need to be able to look at potentially suspicious events with a lens of reality, not a posture of baseless fear. The former will allow you to be more correct in your deductions while the latter only increase your paranoia and leads to more bad judgements.

 

[Jeff White]

Nope, I haven't changed my mind. I still think you're over reacting.

First off, I wouldn't trust the average American to be able to recognize any other spken language but English or maybe Spanish. Our culture doesn't expose most people to anything but those two languages.

Secondly, almost all of the incidents either denied by the feds as being terrorist incidents or acknowledged as terrorist incidents that have happened in the US since 9-11 have been committed by converts to Islam. Most of these people don't speak Arabic, but have the same language handicaps as most other Americans.

Thirdly, unless you're really General Franks or some other high ranking person behind that screen name, you're probably not a high value target. Just not worth the risk and expenditure of resources. how would harming you further the cause? Even if some group publically took credit for your demise, I doubt the police and FBI would take it seriously. Multiple casualties at a Guard or Reserve unit drill of a unit recently returned from Iraq or Afghanistan or a school bus full of dependent children of deployed soldiers would be the kinds of targets they'd like to hit. A lot more press for their cause with those then a lone veteran.

Jeff

 

[gunsmith]

an old pal spent nearly 2 years in Bagdhad

he would recognize the lingo, and probably yell out his window
for them to shut up.
And probably curse at them in their own language

 

[Kharn]

Tell the FBI and your 1SG or CO.

Kharn

 

[Doggieman]

I fail to understand the relevance of this question to the subject of firearms.

 

[Lindenberger]

Tags

I'd trace their tags; find out where they lived; then I'd either take them out, one by one--or I'd call Vern.

 

[Trip20]

Thin Black Line,

Thank you for your service. Out of respect for the same, I can only suggest that while home (either permanently, or for an extended leave), it's in your best interest to concentrate on being a civilian again.

Much has been pointed out in the realm of what we do not know. I think we can all agree that a do-nothing approach is perfectly acceptable provided one remains aware and casually alert.

Find that balance, and welcome home, Hero.

 

[Lindenberger]

Thin Black Line

Kill'em all; let God sort'em out. "Arooah (invented 1968 by Marine Detachment, NATTC, NAS Jax, FL.)" Later converted to "Oorah" by persons unknown.

 

[Thin Black Line]

1 out of 5 would do "nothing"

various quotes since I last logged in:

Not particularly. Unless maybe I lived in a Canadian "target".

You see I believe that the "Islamo-fascists" (to use Rush's term) are a bit smarter than we give them credit for.
....
Nope, I haven't changed my mind. I still think you're over reacting.

Thirdly, unless you're really General Franks or some other high ranking person behind that screen name, you're probably not a high value target.
....
I think we can all agree that a do-nothing approach is perfectly acceptable provided one remains aware and casually alert.

Hmmm, interesting. I acknowledged earlier the likelihood that this would
have nothing to do with the residence, but wondered about the possibility
of something else. 1 out of 5 people on this poll would have taken the
"do nothing" approach --not even a 5 minute call to a LEA of any sort.
No dot on the system to even try to connect.

I guess this was a pretty safe way of thinking about the world pre-9-11.
It's also the standard "don't involved" thinking that most Americans have
practiced when they hear/see other routine/mundane, but suspicious things
going on right in front of them. There are many people who will literally
also ignore a crime in progress when there are screams for help. I've
personally seen this happen and was a sole responder on more than one
occassion. I also understand the fear people have about getting involved
and creating more complications in their own lives or just not sticking their
noses into someone's business because they might find out they were wrong
about it.

How many first responders on 9-11 were primary targets?
How many people who worked in the twin towers were "famous", ie,
their names known to the nation prior to 9-11?

Really, guys, I'm baffled by those of you who think that plots stop at
the border or you have to be a household name to either be a victim of
terrorisrm or, better yet, someone who could dial a phone and help
stop it.

Trip20, yes, I do see the world differently now. I really understand the
terrorist phrase of "You have to be lucky EVERY day, and we only have to
be lucky once."

Kill'em all; let God sort'em out.

Sigh.....

 

[mikep99]

Hmmm... well I would have to say that I am one paranoid person. I, like others, however, do question the credibility of the people that found me and told me. The chances of that happeneing and them making that connection in their heads is rather odd and or they were extremely paranoid of something like this happening.

Either way, I would contact the CO or whomever it is that is in charge of your division, etc. I am not sure if I would notify the FBI. If something goes wrong a second time around the FBI is going to be wondering why they weren't contacted at first. However, if you do contact them they may be a little bit dumbfounded and say "um...ok...thank you."

The point is that you do not have any solid leads, and the fact remains, with all due respect my friend, coming online and posting this gives anyone in your state the upper hand in finding out who you are or giving these kids, guys, etc. satisfaction that you were "worried."

 

[Jeff White]

TBL,

Have you ever sat down and really thought about this? How would these arab speakers know who you are and what you did? Was your name and address in the newspaper when you deployed? When you returned? How did it become public knowledge? What value to the cause would harming you be to a terrorist? People who commit terroistic acts fall into three categories:

Criminals

Crusaders

Crazies

The Islamic terrorists fall into the crusader category. They are going to expect some sort of return for the time and resources they expend to commit an act of terrorism. What kind of return do they get from harming you? There are plenty of high profile people who would get them more press and who would be just as easy (or maybe even an easier) target.

Were you given any warnings from the S2? Anything said in post deployment briefings about being a target because you deployed or what you did while deployed?

I see a daily Law Enforcement Intelligence Report on terrorism at work. The system is overwhelmed with dots to connect. People who even look as if they are of middle eastern extraction are reported for doing all kinds of suspicious activities all the time. The great majority of the reports are unfounded.

It's smart to live in condition yellow whenever you are out and about and to secure your residence so you can downgrade to condition white and relax. I don't think I'd up things to condition orange based on an unconfirmed report. Especially if you had no other reason to believe that someone might be targeting you.

The FBI has a big focus on terrorism now. Arrest a middle eastern subject and notify the FBI and they will be there to check it out. The small office that is responsible for the rural Southern Illinois area where I work even has an agent who speaks arabic now. If you're that concerned, go ahead and call your local FBI field office and see what they tell you.

Jeff

 

[Thin Black Line]

The point is that you do not have any solid leads, and the fact remains, with all due respect my friend, coming online and posting this gives anyone in your state the upper hand in finding out who you are or giving these kids, guys, etc. satisfaction that you were "worried."

Who is to say that a course of action was not already taken before the
poll was even posted, such as contacting LE?

"Upper hand"? "Satisfaction"? "Worried"? No. There were posters here
who stated this was not a plausible scenario or that substance abuse
might have been involved in some sort of deception or fantasy.

Maybe my purpose here was to see what the average computer/gun-owner's
response would be to a similar situation post-9-11. After all, I would think
one of the reasons most of you own a gun is for self-defense against a
possible physical attack. I was actually expecting a higher percentage
(90%) combined for 3 and above. I think the 21% in the do-nothing-or-very-
little category wasn't all that bad. I would hazard a statement that this %
would have been much higher pre-9-11. We won't know this for certain, but
we can hope people don't fall asleep with Summer BBQs.

Have you ever sat down and really thought about this? .....What kind of return do they get from harming you?

Jeff, with all due respect, you have not read my posts close enough. I
understand this given that you have a lot of other threads here you are
monitoring. I will acknowledge <again> the likelihood in this given scenario
that the people in the car would have had NOTHING to do with either
the current or past occupants.

Were you given any warnings from the S2?

...or G2?...What's that?

Kudos to the nearly 4 out of 5 who would pay attention to "suspicious
activity" and get involved. Being the only set of eyes and ears to make a
final judgement about something leaves things rather limited. I only had
to "crack open" today's newpaper to see how being alert (condition yellow)
paid off in one of the most peaceful, and prosperous countries (Switzerland)
in the world:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/mai...iss09.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/06/09/ixnews.html

The prosecutor's office said the gang members were identified in early 2005 and lived off the profits of a series of robberies in Zurich and elsewhere....But prosecution officials claimed the gang had links to terrorist groups in Spain and France.

Maybe this helps explain why Switzerland is also one of the most secure
countries in the world?

Thanks to all who participated in the poll and all comments.

 

[Trip20]

You recently learn
from the current occupants that at about 3:00am one evening 3 carloads of guys pull up in front of their house and begin conversing loud enough in
ARABIC to wake them up. In fact, they pretty much just hang out in the
middle of the street for a few minutes, but never actually set foot on the
private property next to it before leaving.

Bolding mine.

TBL -- based on your description of the event; I compared that description to how I (a layman) understand typical terrorist operation, preparation, and implementation of various attacks. Based on this comparison, I felt comfortable stating the following:

...a do-nothing approach is perfectly acceptable provided one remains aware and casually alert.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but terrorists do not typically have a tailgate party in front of their target prior to the attack. In contrast, terrorists in general are very deliberate, clandestine, and vigilant in most cases.

So, my advocating a do nothing approach in this case, does not foretell my rejoinder on serious scenarios deserving of a more discriminating analysis. It's specific to the events that occurred at your prior residence.

Therefore, it is entirely unnecessary to paint the “do nothing crowd” with such a broad brush as your below statement, when most likely we are speaking with regard to your initial posted scenario, and nothing else (though, of course I can only speak for myself):

I guess this was a pretty safe way of thinking about the world pre-9-11. It's also the standard "don't involved" thinking that most Americans have practiced when they hear/see other routine/mundane, but suspicious things going on right in front of them. There are many people who will literally also ignore a crime in progress when there are screams for help. I've personally seen this happen and was a sole responder on more than one
occassion. I also understand the fear people have about getting involved
and creating more complications in their own lives or just not sticking their
noses into someone's business because they might find out they were wrong
about it.

 

[AJ Dual]

Coincidence, for all the reasons stated above.

If it's that much of a concern, the time to do something was right when the guys were in front of the house, call the police.

Otherwise, just some lost guys, speaking an unknown language.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but terrorists do not typically have a tailgate party in front of their target prior to the attack.

Would you be more concerned if they were video-taping buildings and
asking around about flying lessions?

Therefore, it is entirely unnecessary to paint the “do nothing crowd” with such a broad brush as your below statement, when most likely we are speaking with regard to your initial posted scenario, and nothing else (though, of course I can only speak for myself):

Trip, I can certainly appreciate the time and effort you have taken to dig
in your heels and defend your position.

I guess the best question I could ask is what would it take as far as
"suspicious behavior" before YOU would become involved and pick up a
phone to LE? Obviously, my threshhold (and that of many others on this
poll) is lower than yours. So rather than tell us what you would not do
and justify it at a time when most would have chose to act, tell us when
you would act with your justification at your higher tipping point. You
could even use the same 3 cars at 3 am and give additional behaviors
you would have to see first......

 

[FPrice]

Would you be more concerned if they were video-taping buildings and
asking around about flying lessions?

At 3:00am in front of the house I used to like in?

I'd be seriously concerned that it was some really bad thread on the internet.

 

[Trip20]

I guess the best question I could ask is what would it take as far as
"suspicious behavior" before YOU would become involved and pick up a
phone to LE? Obviously, my threshold [sic] (and that of many others on this
poll) is lower than yours.

TBL -- Would you believe me if I told you I've called the police due to cars hanging out in front of my home in the wee hours of the morning?

I didn’t call due to their parlance, skin color, or nationality. They were white kids, saying the F-word, and from what I could tell, they were American. The 40" subwoofers making my bedroom shake is what did it.

Does that make me part of the crowd?

When the terrorist attack happens at your old place, be sure to post back here with directions to a good restaurant that serves crow.

Take care man, and don't worry I didn't spend much time digging in.

 

[cracked butt]

I'd only worry if you think they were looking for you because you stole some of their nuclear material to power your flux capacitor.

 

[Rafterman191]

Silly

I am more concerned with some of the people on these forums mind set and their desire to be armed with a gun.

 

[erh]

My "Cranky 'Ole Dad" would say "Just Shoot among'st 'em; they'll get the idea..!" (LOL)

Eric Howland
Savannah,GA.