I read this today:
FBI Issues Alert Against Almanac Carriers
December 29, 2003
By TED BRIDIS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI is warning police nationwide to be alert for people carrying almanacs, cautioning that the popular reference books covering everything from abbreviations to weather trends could be used for terrorist planning.
In a bulletin sent Christmas Eve to about 18,000 police organizations, the FBI said terrorists may use almanacs "to assist with target selection and pre-operational planning."
It urged officers to watch during searches, traffic stops and other investigations for anyone carrying almanacs, especially if the books are annotated in suspicious ways.
"The practice of researching potential targets is consistent with known methods of al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations that seek to maximize the likelihood of operational success through careful planning," the FBI wrote.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the bulletin this week and verified its authenticity.
"For local law enforcement, it's just to help give them one more piece of information to raise their suspicions," said David Heyman, a terrorism expert for the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It helps make sure one more bad guy doesn't get away from a traffic stop, maybe gives police a little bit more reason to follow up on this."
The FBI noted that use of almanacs or maps may be innocent, "the product of legitimate recreational or commercial activities." But it warned that when combined with suspicious behavior - such as apparent surveillance - a person with an almanac "may point to possible terrorist planning."
"I don't think anyone would consider us a harmful entity," said Kevin Seabrooke, senior editor of The World Almanac. He said the reference book includes about a dozen pages out of its 1,000 pages total listing the world's tallest buildings and bridges but includes no diagrams or architectural schematics. "It's stuff that's widely available on the Internet," he said.
The publisher for The Old Farmers Almanac said Monday terrorists would probably find statistical reference books more useful than the collections of Americana in his famous publication of weather predictions and witticisms.
"While we doubt that our editorial content would be of particular interest to people who would wish to do us harm, we will certainly cooperate to the fullest with national authorities at any level they deem appropriate," publisher John Pierce said.
The FBI said information typically found in almanacs that could be useful for terrorists includes profiles of cities and states and information about waterways, bridges, dams, reservoirs, tunnels, buildings and landmarks. It said this information is often accompanied by photographs and maps.
The FBI urged police to report such discoveries to the local U.S. Joint Terrorism Task Force.
And I must say I very nearly fell off my chair laughing. I especially liked the "practice of researching potential targets is consistent..." bit. As far as I can tell, such a practice is consistent with the known methods of any organization that likes to plan ahead to make sure the job gets done. In other words, every other organization in existence, except perhaps Dadaists and improvisational acting troupes. But, I am more than confident that valuable intelligence such as this, forwarded to law enforcement officials throughout the land will soon end the War on Terror.
Beware!!! That sweet looking elderly lady beside you in a sun hat, pastels, and orthopaedic shoes taking pictures of the Hoover Dam "may" be using that almanac under her arm for a legitimate recreational activity, but then again, she may be a member of the Communist Party... excuse me, al'Qaida and her activities may indicate possible terrorist planning. We urge you to report such discoveries to your local authorities immediately. DO NOT attempt to apprehend the suspect yourself.
FBI Issues Alert Against Almanac Carriers
December 29, 2003
By TED BRIDIS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI is warning police nationwide to be alert for people carrying almanacs, cautioning that the popular reference books covering everything from abbreviations to weather trends could be used for terrorist planning.
In a bulletin sent Christmas Eve to about 18,000 police organizations, the FBI said terrorists may use almanacs "to assist with target selection and pre-operational planning."
It urged officers to watch during searches, traffic stops and other investigations for anyone carrying almanacs, especially if the books are annotated in suspicious ways.
"The practice of researching potential targets is consistent with known methods of al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations that seek to maximize the likelihood of operational success through careful planning," the FBI wrote.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the bulletin this week and verified its authenticity.
"For local law enforcement, it's just to help give them one more piece of information to raise their suspicions," said David Heyman, a terrorism expert for the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It helps make sure one more bad guy doesn't get away from a traffic stop, maybe gives police a little bit more reason to follow up on this."
The FBI noted that use of almanacs or maps may be innocent, "the product of legitimate recreational or commercial activities." But it warned that when combined with suspicious behavior - such as apparent surveillance - a person with an almanac "may point to possible terrorist planning."
"I don't think anyone would consider us a harmful entity," said Kevin Seabrooke, senior editor of The World Almanac. He said the reference book includes about a dozen pages out of its 1,000 pages total listing the world's tallest buildings and bridges but includes no diagrams or architectural schematics. "It's stuff that's widely available on the Internet," he said.
The publisher for The Old Farmers Almanac said Monday terrorists would probably find statistical reference books more useful than the collections of Americana in his famous publication of weather predictions and witticisms.
"While we doubt that our editorial content would be of particular interest to people who would wish to do us harm, we will certainly cooperate to the fullest with national authorities at any level they deem appropriate," publisher John Pierce said.
The FBI said information typically found in almanacs that could be useful for terrorists includes profiles of cities and states and information about waterways, bridges, dams, reservoirs, tunnels, buildings and landmarks. It said this information is often accompanied by photographs and maps.
The FBI urged police to report such discoveries to the local U.S. Joint Terrorism Task Force.
And I must say I very nearly fell off my chair laughing. I especially liked the "practice of researching potential targets is consistent..." bit. As far as I can tell, such a practice is consistent with the known methods of any organization that likes to plan ahead to make sure the job gets done. In other words, every other organization in existence, except perhaps Dadaists and improvisational acting troupes. But, I am more than confident that valuable intelligence such as this, forwarded to law enforcement officials throughout the land will soon end the War on Terror.
Beware!!! That sweet looking elderly lady beside you in a sun hat, pastels, and orthopaedic shoes taking pictures of the Hoover Dam "may" be using that almanac under her arm for a legitimate recreational activity, but then again, she may be a member of the Communist Party... excuse me, al'Qaida and her activities may indicate possible terrorist planning. We urge you to report such discoveries to your local authorities immediately. DO NOT attempt to apprehend the suspect yourself.
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Next up? Maps. Or perhaps anyone that is looking at street signs. Hell, anyone that is driving/walking/running anywhere and needs any information whatsoever is a possible terrorist.
God help anyone that asks where the washroom is.
happy new year love. xoxoxo