FBI Arrests Three Men in Al Qaeda NYC Plot

US News • Views: 4,003

The latest reports about the alleged New York City bombing plot contain a clue to why so much of this story has seemed weird and disjointed — the FBI and the NYPD were apparently engaged in an inter-bureau squabble: Three Men Arrested by FBI in NYC Terror Plot.

The FBI arrested three men overnight on charges they lied to federal agents during an investigation of a terror plot against New York City that authorities say was “the real deal.”

Authorities arrest three suspects in connection to an alleged terror plot.
Agents in Denver arrested Najibullah Zazi, a 24-year old airport shuttle driver, who authorities say appears to be the ringleader of the alleged plot. Also charged with lying to the FBI was Zazi’s father, Mohammed Zazi.

In New York, the FBI arrested the leader of a Queens mosque, Ahmad Afzali, who authorities allege had been a New York police department informant but “went bad” and tipped off Zazi, his father and others to the investigation.

Afzali’s alleged double cross compromised the case and led the FBI to move in on the suspects much earlier than they had wanted and led to extreme tensions between the Denver office of the FBI and the NYPD. One law enforcement official said the NYPD had been specifically asked not to reveal the investigation to its informants, but went ahead anyway.

FLV Video

Jump to bottom

116 comments
1 lostlakehiker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:03:28am

The war with al Qaeda is not won. We've won another battle, evidently. So far, so good, but we cannot relax our guard.

2 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:03:55am

Well, I know there are 2 sides to a story, but if NYPD fucked up, shame on them.

3 J.S.  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:04:06am

So, they haven't been arrested for a terrorist plot, but for lying to the FBI...

4 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:04:38am

Thank God for the FBI. They don't the credit they deserve for keeping us all safe.

5 laZardo  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:04:39am

Headin' to bed. Nighty!

6 Danny  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:08:28am

A double-crossing informant...you'd think NYPD would be keen to those.

7 jaunte  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:09:13am

NBC:

Meanwhile the Post reported that the FBI is miffed with the NYPD for allegedly flubbing the intelligence gathering effort in Queens -- and tipping off the main suspect, who may have ties to al-Qaeda.

Federal agents had reportedly asked their NYPD counterparts to be discreet in their investigation, but the cops were anything but sly, going around the neighborhood showing the suspect's picture, and causing him to flee, sources told the Post.

The feds "are mad about it," the source told the paper, although NYPD spokesman Paul Browne called the report "utter fabrication."
[Link: www.nbcnewyork.com...]

8 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:09:25am

It does make one feel a bit better to see actions like this as long as they pan out properly. Kudos to our law enforcement personnel for the fine work they do.

9 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:10:32am

re: #7 jaunte

NBC:

These people need to remember we are all on the same team.

10 Danny  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:11:04am

re: #7 jaunte

I'm waiting until more info is available before I believe anything one way or the other.

11 jaunte  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:11:40am

re: #9 Cannadian Club Akbar

Hard to tell from that what motivation the NBC "source" had.

12 funky chicken  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:11:51am

Last time I'll bring it up, but I still wonder if the Canadian/Somali guy they found (dead) in a fancy hotel room in Denver is connected to this case? The guy was unemployed and in poor health (mental and physical, according to his family) but he somehow bankrolled a trip to Denver, accomodations in a fancy hotel, a pound of sodium cyanide, and $2500 cash that the cops found in the room.

Hopefully it's all connected and the FBI's been working on it since then.

13 AuntAcid  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:12:23am

Best we stand aside lest we get caught in the crush of lawyers rushing to defend these guys.

14 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:12:31am

re: #12 funky chicken

Do you have a link?

15 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:13:00am

re: #13 AuntAcid

Best we stand aside lest we get caught in the crush of lawyers rushing to defend these guys.

Say it with me. ACLU.

16 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:13:49am

re: #6 Danny

A double-crossing informant...you'd think NYPD would be keen to those.

The NYPD doesn't even want to cross-help a citizen. I was at Penn Station last Thursday, looking for for a quay, went to the police booth, asked if the cop knew anything, he pointed me to the Long Island Railroad info booth right next to them and didn't even say a word.

It's not my table.

17 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:14:16am

re: #9 Cannadian Club Akbar

These people need to remember we are all on the same team.

The FBI and NYPD have never been on very good terms. The NYPD tends to feel that FBI steps in where it shouldn't, lacks local expertise, and is high-handed. The FBI tends feel that NYPD is not as good as the FBI and is overly territorial. Though many officials from both agencies have tried to reduce the level of bad blood, any successes in so doing can only be described as partial.

18 funky chicken  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:14:54am

re: #14 Cannadian Club Akbar

Do you have a link?

[Link: www.thedenverchannel.com...]

19 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:15:08am

re: #15 Cannadian Club Akbar

Say it with me. ACLU.

ACLU won't defend them unless their civil liberties were potentially violated. That's normally what they focus on. I'm glad someone will defend them or anyone else charged though.

20 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:15:54am

re: #18 funky chicken

Thank you.

21 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:17:17am

re: #19 Locker

Everyone deserves council.

22 funky chicken  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:19:04am

perhaps a better story about the cyanide story that went nowhere:

[Link: www.denverpost.com...]

and if you google it, you'll find it was heavily covered by jihad watch, atlas, etc

23 McSpiff  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:19:36am

re: #15 Cannadian Club Akbar

Say it with me. ACLU.

Sounds like they were given extra rights. Most suspects aren't told they are under surveillance.

24 John Neverbend  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:21:21am

re: #2 Cannadian Club Akbar

Well, I know there are 2 sides to a story, but if NYPD fucked up, shame on them.

I thought this was the sort of inter-departmental bollocks that you only saw on TV in Law and Order or even Warehouse 13. I didn't expect to happen in real life, where it actually matters.

25 AuntAcid  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:23:31am

"Dirie's sister told CanWest News Service that her brother had been on medication for the past three years to treat his schizophrenia, but that he was not a terrorist.

Now who in their right mind would give a schizophrenic a pound of...oh, never mind.

26 Danny  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:23:49am

re: #19 Locker

ACLU won't defend them unless their civil liberties were potentially violated. That's normally what they focus on. I'm glad someone will defend them or anyone else charged though.

Law enforcement and intelligence officials say the case began in 2008 when the CIA twice picked up on Zazi's presence in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, a place often used by al Qaeda to arrange meetings with foreigners.

Zazi maintained publicly that he had no ties to al Qaeda and had gone to Peshawar only to visit his wife.

According to the FBI affidavits, Zazi went to Peshawar in Aug. 2008 and again in Jan. 2009.

Law enforcement officials told ABCNews.com that electronic intercepts revealed Zazi had sent text messages suggesting, in code, the plot was nearing the attack stage. "The wedding cake is ready," Zazi allegedly wrote.

Domestic intercepts of a US resident's private communication... If the ACLU isn't involved I'll be surprised.

27 McSpiff  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:25:52am

re: #26 Danny

Assuming of course, that a judge didn't sign off on an intercept. And we have no evidence to suggest this is the case.

28 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:25:56am

BBIAB

29 Killgore Trout  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:26:26am

What a mess. Leaving these guys walking around free while leaking stories to the press not only screws up the case but it allows them to escape or carry out an attack anyways. Just stupid.

30 Yellowstone  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:26:35am

re: #27 McSpiff

We have no evidence to suggest it wasn't the case either.

31 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:26:42am

re: #25 AuntAcid

"Dirie's sister told CanWest News Service that her brother had been on medication for the past three years to treat his schizophrenia, but that he was not a terrorist.

Now who in their right mind would give a schizophrenic a pound of...oh, never mind.

The same who would used the mentally challenged as suicide bombers...

32 McSpiff  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:27:29am

re: #30 Yellowstone

We have no evidence to suggest it wasn't the case either.

Id assume normal process before extraordinaire but fair enough.

33 wiffersnapper  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:27:33am

Busted!

34 Danny  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:28:33am

re: #27 McSpiff

Assuming of course, that a judge didn't sign off on an intercept. And we have no evidence to suggest this is the case.

The ACLU isn't usually deterred by court orders.

35 Liberal Classic  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:29:48am

I'm no sleuth, but it seems like Zazi was financing something.

[Link: www.cbsnews.com...]

36 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:30:03am

re: #34 Danny

The ACLU isn't usually deterred by court orders.

My memory says they have a problem with warrantless tapping so if there was no warrant or judge and that telco immunity buggaboo didn't already settle this it could be possible that the ACLU would get involved.

37 Killgore Trout  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:30:16am

OT: Lefties are pushing for a boycott to get Rush fired. It'll never happen.

38 AuntAcid  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:31:22am

re: #31 Cannadian Club Akbar

The same who would used the mentally challenged as suicide bombers...

I should have said "entrusted" rather than "give" but point made.

39 McSpiff  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:31:32am

re: #34 Danny

"Deterred"? I love seeing the ACLU defend. I want to see these guys present the best possible defence. So when they are convicted, there is absolutely no doubt about their guilt, and no reason for an appeal to succeed. Makes capital punishment that much easier.

40 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:32:35am

re: #37 Killgore Trout

OT: Lefties are pushing for a boycott to get Rush fired. It'll never happen.

Lefties hate freedom of speech unless you tow their line.

41 borgcube  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:32:42am

I saw this story last evening and I'm convinced it gave me the nightmare I had this morning.

Somehow, I was the IT guy for Dinnerjacket. I noticed that he had replaced a map of the Middle East now depicting the Islamic Republic of Iran as the ENTIRE Middle East except for Israel. So I asked him how that happened and he opened up a box with a big red button inside.

That was bad enough, but then I was recruited to sneak into the former Saudi Arabia by the Mossad of all agencies and to meet with the underground "freedom fighters" (ex royal family members) to restore the kingdom.

It got weirder from there and somehow my Chihuahua got involved and scared the crap out of all of them because they hate dogs and then I woke up.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

42 Yellowstone  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:32:54am

I have a hard time believing that the feds release info about wiretapped conversations, if those conversations were illegally taped.

43 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:33:55am

This isn't encouraging: inter-bureau struggles and walls like those pre 9/11. Ugh.

44 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:34:19am

re: #42 Yellowstone

I have a hard time believing that the feds release info about wiretapped conversations, if those conversations were illegally taped.

We still have the Patriot Act, yes?

45 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:35:02am

re: #40 Cannadian Club Akbar


I like freedom of speech.

46 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:35:08am

re: #37 Killgore Trout

OT: Lefties are pushing for a boycott to get Rush fired. It'll never happen.

You got that call right.

47 jaunte  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:35:15am

re: #37 Killgore Trout

OT: Lefties are pushing for a boycott to get Rush fired. It'll never happen.


That will make him even more popular with his target audience.

48 McSpiff  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:35:22am

re: #40 Cannadian Club Akbar

I'm a fan.

49 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:36:06am

re: #37 Killgore Trout

OT: Lefties are pushing for a boycott to get Rush fired. It'll never happen.

I certainly think they should try, real hard.

50 John Neverbend  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:36:43am

re: #37 Killgore Trout

OT: Lefties are pushing for a boycott to get Rush fired. It'll never happen.

"If you've done six impossible things this morning, why not round it off with breakfast at Milliway's, the restaurant at the end of the universe."

So, getting Rush fired is one impossible thing. I wonder what the other five are.

51 Yellowstone  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:36:45am

I don't agree with trying to censor Limbaugh, but on the other hand I thought his saying that we should have segregated school buses was way over the top. N

52 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:37:10am

re: #45 Locker

I like freedom of speech.

I know you do. Some others, not so much. Remember, Harry Reid tried to get Rush fired, even sent a letter to the head of Clear Channel. Rush auctioned it off for charity. He matched the funds and the total was 4.2 mil.

53 Henchman Ghazi-808  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:37:12am

re: #37 Killgore Trout

OT: Lefties are pushing for a boycott to get Rush fired. It'll never happen.

Oh boy, what now?

54 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:38:33am

re: #53 BigPapa

Oh boy, what now?

He has a nicer jet then Nancy.

55 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:39:07am

re: #54 Cannadian Club Akbar

Forgot the sarc tag!! ///

56 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:39:58am

re: #51 Yellowstone

I don't agree with trying to censor Limbaugh, but on the other hand I thought his saying that we should have segregated school buses was way over the top. N

I do. They really should go whole hog and try it. It will be good for all.

57 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:41:44am

I do suspect that the left will really heat up the anti-Limbaugh campaign the most as we enter election cycles 2010. Running against Rush instead of the the local Republican candidate is a strategy that pays off in populous NE states.

58 Yellowstone  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:41:51am

re: #56 Walter L. Newton

"I do", as in you advocate segregation?

59 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:42:16am

re: #56 Walter L. Newton

I do. They really should go whole hog and try it. It will be good for all.

We need hearings, kinda like the ones with Dee Snyder from Twisted Sister.

60 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:42:23am

re: #58 Yellowstone

"I do", as in you advocate segregation?

No, I think they should boycott Rush...

BBIAB - have to go to the store.

Boycott Rush...

61 Charles Johnson  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:42:28am

This is why some lefties are calling for a boycott of Rush Limbaugh -- pure, ugly race-baiting.

FLV Video

I don't like boycotts. But this is very bad. And nobody on the right seems to care -- instead, they applaud this kind of stuff.

62 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:43:35am

re: #52 Cannadian Club Akbar

I know you do. Some others, not so much. Remember, Harry Reid tried to get Rush fired, even sent a letter to the head of Clear Channel. Rush auctioned it off for charity. He matched the funds and the total was 4.2 mil.

Maybe I should be more detailed in my feelings:

- Trying to boycott Rush won't work and will cause the exact opposite of the desired effect.
- Rush does seem to have a lot more "freedom" to his speech than your average person, same way as I feel about a corporation.
- That being said there are plenty of left side folks on TV and Radio with the exact same 'freedom" so how you can go after one side without going after the other?
- Unless Rush or anyone else breaks the law then put your energy some place useful instead of running into a brick wall for fun.
- I wish we had more responsibility attached to free speech as I frequently feel that certain media figures yell fire in a crowded theater on a regular basis.
- There may be some sort of publicity or marketing angle to this thing that IS going to help the left or someone(s) on the left and I'm just unaware. It's possible.

63 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:44:16am

re: #61 Charles

That's not even a dog whistle, that's a trumpet to the Neoconfederates.

64 JanglerNPL  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:45:34am

re: #52 Cannadian Club Akbar

Out of curiosity, how did you feel about ClearChannel's decision to remove the Dixie Chicks from their playlists? My feelings run as follows:

1. Harry Reid shouldn't have pressured ClearChannel. He's a government official, and the First Amendment is first and foremost about protecting the free flow of ideas from government interference.

2. ClearChannel vs. Dixie Chicks, Color of Change vs. Beck, and this new attempt of a boycott on Limbaugh are all private entity vs. private entity matters, so there is no free speech issue. I don't really have a personal opinion of their individual merits, but as a category, I don't think things like this are anti-freedom-of-speech.

65 jaunte  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:46:28am

re: #61 Charles

Man, what a load of crap that was, from multiple angles.

66 Killgore Trout  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:46:44am

re: #63 Thanos

It really weird that this stuff is out int the open now. It's also strange how many people are going along with it. The Republicans might actually become a racially oriented party but I can't imagine that they'll we able to win any national elections with this strategy.

67 funky chicken  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:46:50am

re: #22 funky chicken

perhaps a better story about the cyanide story that went nowhere:

[Link: www.denverpost.com...]

and if you google it, you'll find it was heavily covered by jihad watch, atlas, etc

I didn't mean that as a testimonial, btw. more like a warning. but the denver post story is sympathetic to the man and has a Somali Muslim leader asking the important questions, like who gave this ill man cyanide and who brought him to Denver, etc.

68 SixDegrees  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:48:23am

re: #44 Cannadian Club Akbar

We still have the Patriot Act, yes?

Yes. The White House announced last week that it would be seeking extensions of it's provisions, which are due to expire shortly.

69 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:49:06am

re: #61 Charles

I really wish I wouldn't have listened to that audio clip. That was... that was like listening to David Duke or someone. I can't believe he doesn't get hit by the FCC for that stuff, fuck a boycott.

70 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:49:58am

re: #64 JanglerNPL

I don't do boycotts and I don't like when any freedom of speech is snuffed. But Clear Channel is not required to play anyone or any band.

71 debutaunt  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:50:25am

re: #58 Yellowstone

"I do", as in you advocate segregation?

If ANY lizard advocated segregation I would be stunned.

72 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:50:35am

re: #66 Killgore Trout

Nope, and I'll be registering D or I in November 2010 if they are still in this state through the elections. I'm lifelong, voted for Nixon etc. and the party is leaving me with this. (I stated a few months back that I would hang in until then, so I will live up to my word. I think Moderates need to continue to fight for the core, but we will know if they won or failed by then for certain. Right now it's not looking very good.)

73 JanglerNPL  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:50:53am

re: #70 Cannadian Club Akbar

And GEICO (or whoever, I forget the list) isn't required to advertise on any one show.

74 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:51:24am

re: #73 JanglerNPL

And GEICO (or whoever, I forget the list) isn't required to advertise on any one show.

Exactly.

75 Coracle  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:51:31am

re: #57 Thanos

I do suspect that the left will really heat up the anti-Limbaugh campaign the most as we enter election cycles 2010. Running against Rush instead of the the local Republican candidate is a strategy that pays off in populous NE states.

One of the reasons it wins is because no Republicans stand up to him for more than 36 hours at a time. It would be really nice to see that change in the aftermath of that clip, but I doubt it will.

76 J.S.  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:52:26am

re: #37 Killgore Trout

I watched Reliable Sources on CNN this morning -- great show...Howard Kurtz, though, was saying (near the end of the program) that maybe there's something to be said even for the "nuttiest" of hosts (like a Glenn Beck), etc. Since, maybe, just maybe, the public might want to know something about a Van Jones or ACORN. (?) In other words, Kurtz was making a Free Speech argument...suppose Beck and all the other nutties at FOX were shut up -- would there then be "legitimate stories [which would be] overlooked?" I suspect that that would be the case...Personally, I'm pro Free Speech (I've seen what "shutting people up" means -- especially here in Canada -- muzzling political opponents is not great...nor is seeing politics entering into the courtrooms...But we don't have the benefit of the First Amendment here... I also oppose organized, vicious "boycotts." as was attempted to be done with the Toronto International Film Festival, etc.)

77 Killgore Trout  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:53:56am

re: #72 Thanos

I still can't believe this is actually happening. This is the strangest political shift I can recall in recent history (at least in my lifetime).

78 Yellowstone  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:54:33am

re: #71 debutaunt

If ANY lizard advocated segregation I would be stunned.

Me too. That's why I asked for a clarification. I'm glad I misunderstood !

79 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:54:56am

re: #76 J.S.

The Toronto film fest, is that where they tried to boycott the film about Israel?
Might have been some where else.

80 Killgore Trout  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:54:59am

re: #76 J.S.

Agreed. Getting these guys removed from the airways doesn't solve the underlying problem anyways.

81 Danny  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:55:33am

re: #66 Killgore Trout

It really weird that this stuff is out int the open now. It's also strange how many people are going along with it. The Republicans might actually become a racially oriented party but I can't imagine that they'll we able to win any national elections with this strategy.

While large strides in race relations have been made in the last four decades, there has unfortunatey remained a strong current of racism just under the surface. With a black president, it's being drawn out in the open. This kind of stuff from Limbaugh isn't anything new; he's been saying similar things for years. It's just resonating a lot more now.

82 jaunte  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:56:04am

re: #77 Killgore Trout

Pure, self-defeating irrationality.

83 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:56:06am

re: #71 debutaunt

re: #78 Yellowstone

I keep my light beer away from regular beer.
/

84 debutaunt  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:57:16am

re: #83 Cannadian Club Akbar

re: #78 Yellowstone

I keep my light beer away from regular beer.
/

Beerism, just a small step away from foodism.

85 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:57:19am

re: #77 Killgore Trout

I still can't believe this is actually happening. This is the strangest political shift I can recall in recent history (at least in my lifetime).

The most urgent question for R strategists is "how is this playing in Florida?" We know the states where it resonates with certain ugly groups, but Florida is markedly different in demographics. With the past three close elections in FL, the R's could be en route to permanently losing FL just like NY and CA.

86 SixDegrees  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:57:51am

re: #69 Locker

I really wish I wouldn't have listened to that audio clip. That was... that was like listening to David Duke or someone. I can't believe he doesn't get hit by the FCC for that stuff, fuck a boycott.

I'm sure that's exactly the sort of response he's hoping for. It generates more publicity and more listenership, and it feeds his schtick about abuse of government power.

Haven't actually listened to it. I last heard Limbaugh about 15 years ago when someone had his show on at work. He was funny, but not funny enough to for me to bother finding the station again. His escapades since haven't made me want to seek him out, either. And this latest simply makes me want to maintain my Rush-free status, from the sounds of it.

87 debutaunt  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:58:18am

re: #85 Thanos

The lesser of the evils isn't all that terrific.

88 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 10:59:53am

re: #85 Thanos

The most urgent question for R strategists is "how is this playing in Florida?" We know the states where it resonates with certain ugly groups, but Florida is markedly different in demographics. With the past three close elections in FL, the R's could be en route to permanently losing FL just like NY and CA.


Florida is a moderate, right of center state. 1 Dem senator, 1 Repub senator, Repub gubner.

89 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:00:56am

re: #88 Cannadian Club Akbar

Florida is a moderate, right of center state. 1 Dem senator, 1 Repub senator, Repub gubner.

Lots and lots of southern Florida folks are from New York and the upper east coast. I think the observations about Florida sort of trailing behind New York in how it moves have some merit.

90 jamgarr  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:01:43am

I do not believe that racism is resurgent.

91 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:02:25am

re: #89 Locker

Lots and lots of southern Florida folks are from New York and the upper east coast. I think the observations about Florida sort of trailing behind New York in how it moves have some merit.

Don't get me wrong, I know. Many here are transplants.

92 J.S.  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:03:00am

re: #79 Cannadian Club Akbar

Yes. The organizer of the Toronto Film Festival wanted to spotlight Israeli filmmakers, especially those from Tel Aviv...And, for making this decision, he was condemned by a pro gay right's activist/filmmaker (the gay rights fellow withdrew his film from the festival and asked others to do the same). Then The Left got involved and had petitions signed asking filmmakers to boycott the Toronto Film Festival (this petition was signed by Jane Fonda and other Hollywood types -- Fonda latter withdrew her signature, I believe). Anyway, I don't believe the attempt at the "boycott" was successful...(The National Post published anti-censorship articles in the paper -- including a rousing article written by an Israeli filmmaker who faced actual censors in the past...)

93 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:03:15am

re: #88 Cannadian Club Akbar

Florida is a moderate, right of center state. 1 Dem senator, 1 Repub senator, Repub gubner.

Right, it's on the bubble and could be driven either direction. Which makes the Toomey and Rush RINO hunting counterproductive. With the multiple litmus tests R's have to pass from various factions in the party they are making it impossible for an R to win in Populous states that aren't ex-dixiecrat/populist.

94 debutaunt  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:03:19am

re: #90 jamgarr

I do not believe that racism is resurgent.

It's regurgent.

95 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:03:34am

re: #90 jamgarr

I do not believe that racism is resurgent.

Hmm, I don't know if I think it's resurgent either. Half of my family lives in Alabama and it seems to me after spending lots of time down there that racism doesn't really go away and come back. It's either talked about privately or talked about openly. I know that sounds weird but my personal experience confirms it to some degree.

96 jaunte  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:03:42am

Limbaugh said the first time he saw Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa he thought he was a “Shoe Shine Boy.”

97 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:06:16am

re: #93 Thanos

Crist will take Martinez seat in the senate and the next gubner race is a bit far away to predict a winner. I like both running for gubner. Not a Crist fan, though.

98 jamgarr  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:06:18am

re: #95 Locker

Hmm, I don't know if I think it's resurgent either. Half of my family lives in Alabama and it seems to me after spending lots of time down there that racism doesn't really go away and come back. It's either talked about privately or talked about openly. I know that sounds weird but my personal experience confirms it to some degree.


I believe you are right - but also believe that the trend is toward tolerance.

99 Randall Gross  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:07:23am

re: #97 Cannadian Club Akbar

Crist will take Martinez seat in the senate and the next gubner race is a bit far away to predict a winner. I like both running for gubner. Not a Crist fan, though.

I'm no Martinez fan since he's the Discovery Institute favored candidate.

100 King of the Douche, now you may bow  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:08:04am

re: #99 Thanos

I'm no Martinez fan since he's the Discovery Institute favored candidate.

He stepped down in August.

101 austin_blue  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:08:28am

re: #90 jamgarr

I do not believe that racism is resurgent.

New racists are not being created, IMO. The existing ones *do* seem to be a lot more vocal, less willing to hide their freak flag under a basket. Which is also worrying. I suppose it's good they are self-identifying, but the sheer numbers...have mercy. Who knew?

One thing for sure, they will destroy the Republican Party if they are not quickly and publicly purged. Moderates and Independents will never vote for an R again so long as they are tolerated by the party hierarchy.

102 SixDegrees  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:08:39am

re: #66 Killgore Trout

It really weird that this stuff is out int the open now. It's also strange how many people are going along with it. The Republicans might actually become a racially oriented party but I can't imagine that they'll we able to win any national elections with this strategy.

It's not weird. The broadcasters and bloggers are following a well-defined strategy, albeit a flawed one: act like the Democrats/Liberals did when they lost power in 2000. It doesn't take long to find bloggers advocating the adoption of Alinsky's tactics, making specific references to emulating International ANSWER's behavior at protests and generally touting the notion that bad behavior worked for the Dems, so the GOP ought to be outdoing them in vulgarity and intolerance.

It's flawed because it blithely skips over the 2002 and 2004 elections - elections which the Dems arguably should have won, or at the very least done much, much better in, yet lost because the middle took one long, sickened look at their behavior and bailed for the relative safety of the GOP. Or just stayed home, not willing to cast a vote for a giant puppet with an inflated scrotum.

The shriekers and thumpers now dominating what passes for political discourse on the right (without the actual "di-" part of the word) are convinced that this was a winning strategy for the Dems, and one which they can outdo them at. If they follow this patter, we'll at least see a repeat of the Dem's experience with it - further losses during the midterms and worse in 2012.

It's odd that these folks don't seem to realize that the Dems didn't start winning until Howard Dean wised up and started locking their retarded nephews in the basement, away from microphones and television cameras, and began focusing once again on reclaiming the vast middle of the electorate that is crucial for actually, you know, winning. Until the right comes to this same realization, I look for them to continue this losing strategy.

But it's easily understandable, given that it's openly being promoted as a strategy.

103 Danny  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:08:53am

re: #90 jamgarr

I do not believe that racism is resurgent.

I agree. But I suspect it's becoming more openly expressed within certain demographic groups.

104 John Neverbend  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:10:48am

re: #98 jamgarr

I believe you are right - but also believe that the trend is toward tolerance.

I agree, based on my own narrow viewpoint from New York.

105 Henchman Ghazi-808  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:11:03am

re: #61 Charles

I don't like boycotts. But this is very bad. And nobody on the right seems to care -- instead, they applaud this kind of stuff.

The boycott won't be successful and most know that it won't. It will help keep drawing fire on Limbaugh to rally the troops, which will in turn rally the Dittoheads... and so the circle turns.

I was waiting for this to become funny or sarcastic and think in some way he was trying to be, but at a certain point being funny or sarcastic about certain issues is a luxury. We are somewhat past that point on this issue and Rush wasn't funny, or he was too sarcastic to make it entertaining or enlightening.

It was race baiting and antagonistic. He was clearly no different than the Dowds and Rich's. What's aggravating is he's just giving them more fodder to write about instead of rising above.

106 Yellowstone  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:11:55am

post 101: New racists are not being created, IMO. The existing ones *do* seem to be a lot more vocal, less willing to hide their freak flag under a basket. Which is also worrying.

Exactly. There's no need for racists to hide, since Limbaugh and others are giving them so much cover. The problem is when such loud voices create an environment which seems to sanction such racist attitudes.

107 Locker  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:13:50am

re: #98 jamgarr

I believe you are right - but also believe that the trend is toward tolerance.

I would tend to agree. The net helps with youth exposure, cultural and media stuff is way more mixed etc. Worth noting though is that public racist discussions, when heard from family, friends or trusted media persons can have the opposite effect if the duration and exposure is prolonged.

108 BryanS  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:18:46am

re: #102 SixDegrees

What he said...

Only adding that when watching fox news, some of the protesters they interview specifically cite Alinsky's rules, and I've seen that mentioned numerous times on right leaning blogs.

109 tradewind  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 11:50:00am

Oh, shiite. Here we freakin' go again, with Gorelick & Company's stupid ' wall'
mentality...which is what the US will be up against if our national security gets bogged down by this internecine squabbling.

110 Salamantis  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 12:09:32pm

re: #44 Cannadian Club Akbar

We still have the Patriot Act, yes?

If, as I suspect, the messages in question cryptically speaking of 'wedding cakes' being 'almost ready' were sent from the US to such a terrorist-ridden foreign country as Pakistan, there is no doubt whatsoever that their interceptions are covered by the Patriot Act.

And a damn good thing that they are, too. This is shit we NEED to know about, for the sake of our own domestic safety andf security.

111 avspatti  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 1:48:33pm

re: #3 J.S.

So, they haven't been arrested for a terrorist plot, but for lying to the FBI...

Remember, they got Al Capone on tax evasion. Patience.

112 tsflanagan  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 2:55:53pm

Charles is wrong this time. The beating on that bus was motivated by racist animus, and Rush was using a little irony to point that out.

113 Charles Johnson  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 2:56:48pm

re: #112 tsflanagan

Charles is wrong this time. The beating on that bus was motivated by racist animus, and Rush was using a little irony to point that out.

You're full of crap. The incident was investigated and it was NOT racially motivated. Period.

114 [deleted]  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 6:01:05pm
115 What, me worry?  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 6:05:15pm

re: #41 borgcube

I saw this story last evening and I'm convinced it gave me the nightmare I had this morning.

Somehow, I was the IT guy for Dinnerjacket. I noticed that he had replaced a map of the Middle East now depicting the Islamic Republic of Iran as the ENTIRE Middle East except for Israel. So I asked him how that happened and he opened up a box with a big red button inside.

That was bad enough, but then I was recruited to sneak into the former Saudi Arabia by the Mossad of all agencies and to meet with the underground "freedom fighters" (ex royal family members) to restore the kingdom.

It got weirder from there and somehow my Chihuahua got involved and scared the crap out of all of them because they hate dogs and then I woke up.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Don't watch or read the news before bed. You'll never get any sleep.

116 What, me worry?  Sun, Sep 20, 2009 6:12:51pm

re: #70 Cannadian Club Akbar

I don't do boycotts and I don't like when any freedom of speech is snuffed. But Clear Channel is not required to play anyone or any band.

Rush goes out across Clear Channel? Clear Channel is notorious for censoring, not just the strong words, but even bitch or son of a bitch, which is pretty trivial these days. I was listening to Godsmack, I think it's The Enemy. He says "backstabbing son of a :bleep:" I mean really, but Rush is just fine? That's pretty messed up.


This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

Create a PageThis is the LGF Pages posting bookmarklet. To use it, drag this button to your browser's bookmark bar, and title it 'LGF Pages' (or whatever you like). Then browse to a site you want to post, select some text on the page to use for a quote, click the bookmarklet, and the Pages posting window will appear with the title, text, and any embedded video or audio files already filled in, ready to go.
Or... you can just click this button to open the Pages posting window right away.
Last updated: 2023-04-04 11:11 am PDT LGF User's Guide RSS Feeds

Help support Little Green Footballs!

Subscribe now for ad-free access!Register and sign in to a free LGF account before subscribing, and your ad-free access will be automatically enabled.

Donate with
PayPal Cash.app
Recent PagesClick to refresh
Texas County at Center of Border Fight Is Overwhelmed by Migrant Deaths EAGLE PASS, Tex. - The undertaker lighted a cigarette and held it between his latex-gloved fingers as he stood over the bloated body bag lying in the bed of his battered pickup truck. The woman had been fished out ...
Cheechako
4 weeks ago
Views: 454 • Comments: 0 • Rating: 1