Al Qaeda threat to New York subways, trains?

CNN:

Federal authorities have received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that al Qaeda may have discussed targeting transit systems in or around New York City, the Department of Homeland Security said.

"These discussions reportedly involved the use of suicide bombers or explosives" on subway or passenger rail trains, according to a joint DHS and FBI statement issued Tuesday.

"We have no specific details to confirm that this plot has developed beyond aspirational planning, but we are issuing this warning out of concern that such an attack could possibly be conducted during the forthcoming holiday season," the statement said.

The uncorroborated information indicates al Qaeda may have discussed in late September targeting New York transit systems, DHS spokeswoman Laura Keener said. She said the memo was issued as a precaution so that local officials could make decisions appropriate for their areas.

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Do you think we might have picked up the information about this threat through intercepts of enemy communications? That is my guess.

It could be just an attempt to discourage travel over the holidays. Human bomb attacks on subways don't have the same impact as flying planes into buildings. They certainly had a minimal effect when they were tried in London. As a terror weapon they just don't seem to have enough bang for the buck to make a difference in a war.

For all those who wanted to require warrants before we listen to enemy communications, would ou prefer that we ignore this warning? Would you feel safer if we missed it because we did not happen to have a warrant for the ones making the threat?

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