Thursday, October 04, 2001

 

Russian authorities have not ruled out the possibility of terrorism. I certainly hope not.

The news that a Russian plane flying 77 people from Israel to Russia exploded before crashing into the Black Sea is, to me, one of the most disturbing events since Sept. 11.

Did Osama bin Laden not say there will be terrorism (in different words, I believe) anywhere there are Americans and Jews? What better way to get his point across than to bring down a flight that originated from Ben-Gurion airport in Israel? If he can penetrate the world's most secure aiport, what can't he do?

Also, according to a CNN reporter, "There is a fear that Russia could be targeted for some sort of retribution for its support of a global crackdown on international terrorism."

However, the report also says "... Nobody is making any connection with the September 11 attacks, but it is certainly something investigators will be looking at."

I guess there's no other way to say this besides ... Duh!!! It could very well be a coincidence, but does anyone really believe that? Maybe I'm overly paranoid, but I don't believe in that kind of coincidence. I'm hoping Russian and Israeli officials don't either.

Even as I'm writing this, CNN is posting updates that are making me feel better about how officials are handling the crash.

"A civilian aircraft crashed today and it is possible that it is the result of a terrorist act," Putin told a meeting of visiting European justice ministers.

A senior U.S. military source says the downing may have been caused by a surface-to-air missile, according to CNN.

Thank goodness they're on that page.

But then, there's yesterday's Greyhound bus incident. "The Justice Department said Wednesday's assault did not appear to be linked to the terrorist attacks Sept. 11."

The nation's largest bus company said it was assured by the FBI that the attack was an isolated incident, not an act of terrorism.

I don't buy that. What a unique and ingenious way to start some kind of biological warfare? Crash a few busses across the country and, in doing so, release some kind of biological agent. Poison Americans little by little, busload by busload, city by city.

Greyhound said it is implementing new security measures, including a search of all carry-on bags. They're just now searching carry-on bags? You think bin Laden and his cronies didn't know before yesterday bags weren't being checked? Do you think they know Amtrak doesn't check carry-ons either?

I hope someone is in charge of checking up on Manchester, Tenn., to see if its residents come down with mysterious illnesses in the next few days.

posted by Anne 10/04/2001 08:15:00 AM