15 July 2017
Mr Young, I just came across your website https://cryptome.org/oct-surprise.htm and i am emailing to set the record straight. I was at the meeting after being sent on behalf of my Agency. Every word of the email that was sent to law enforcement agencies following this meeting is true and completely accurate Former AUSA Michael Shelby, could not have been more clear when he told us, that a terrorist attack was imminent before the upcoming election. Mr Shelby continued by saying that it was going to take someone, like the patrol officer who stopped the OKC bombing suspect for a minor traffic violation to intervene and prevent an attack. I deeply resent these false statements that have been attributed to me. As a professional trained criminal analyst i was sent to this meeting for the sole purpose of gathering intelligence information relating to the threat of terrorist attacks and to disseminate the information to other law enforcement agencies Please remove my name from this website article and any other that in any way says or suggests that this information was false or partially false. [removed]
13 October 2004. This fear-mongering law enforcement memo continues to circulate among credulous police departments despite disavowal by the Department of Justice. To be sure, law enforcement will continue to have it both ways, to spread fear while denying it is doing so, then claim "we told you so, but you wouldn't listen," the exact excuse the military and intelligence services have given for failing to prevent 9/11. Beware believing those who benefit from "unexpected" disasters whether they happen or not. Homeland security is running amok, sucking up dollars to chase chimeras, learning from the military/intelligence racketeers whom many of them worked for before the Cold War teat dried up.
http://www.seanbonner.com/blog/archives/000967.php
October 12, 2004"Imminent" Terrorist Attack?
I have a friend with a job that makes certain Police Department memos things he needs to take note of. This is the one he got this morning. I've known this person for a very long time and I'm vouching for it's authenticity:
Subject: FW: Terrorist Attack on US Soil is Imminent Importance: HighLAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE
At the meeting of the Southern District of the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) that was held yesterday in Houston, US Attorney Michael Shelby informed the group that a terrorist attack of 09/11/01 proportions was going to be carried out on US soil within the next 6 weeks.
Mr. Shelby stated that on 09/13/04, US Attorney General John Ashcroft had a conference call with all 93 US Attorneys, an event which is extremely rare. The US Attorneys were informed that without a doubt an attack was going to be perpetrated in the US within the next 6 weeks, prior to the elections. Mr. Shelby urgently requested that all law enforcement be aware of any situation that may be out of the ordinary and report the activity immediately. Mr. Shelby also requested that we get the word out to patrol officers and detectives to talk to their informants and report anything odd or remotely suspicious. Mr. Shelby ended this warning by saying that unless we get a bit of "luck" and the attack can be detected and prevented, that another attack of 9/11 scale will be carried out.
Please disseminate to all of your law enforcement contacts ASAP.
New Mexico Investigative Support Center
Direct Line: 505-541-7000
Fax: 505-541-7006John E. Vinson, Director
Does anyone else want to know why he's so positive an attack is going to take place, and if they know enough to say it's "imminent" how come they don't know enough to warn people of specifics, or better yet stop it?
24 September 2004. A. writes:
In response to the e-mail "Terrorist Attack on US Soil is Imminent," intelligence officer Tim Hanes <thanes@leo.gov> circulated the appended commentary. I don't know where the truth lies on this. While I realize that remarks may be exaggerated with the retelling, it's a long way between a "pep talk" or expression of "serious concern" and a US Attorney stating that an attack is "imminent" and will be perpetrated "without a doubt."I do find it interesting that news of Attorney General Ashcroft's extraordinary conference call with all 93 US Attorneys somehow escaped the attention of the media until the news appeared on Cryptome more than a week after the fact.
The reported denial of the Justice Department spokesman is unconvincing. The Justice Department could remove any doubts about what the Attorney General actually said by releasing a transcript of his conference call. Did he or did he not tell US Attorneys that a pre-election attack is "imminent?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not true, the original statement, taken out of context, was repeating the serious concern of the possibility of an attack between now and the Nov elections. A correction to the below has been released.
Never, and I repeat, NEVER would a warning of this nature come from a singular source and in such a fashion.
Ladies and Gentlemen, lets think for a minute, something of this magnititude would be all over the national news, leaked before it was announced. Just like the color codes are on the news before Mr Ridge comes out with the announcment.
It's a safe bet to say that you won't get it via email before anyone else hears of it.
These things are hard to kill once they start, let's be careful out there, keep your eye on the ball and report all suspicious events - persons to your local JTTF.
Tim Hanes
Intelligence Officer
US Attorney's Office
Concord, NH 03301
603- 225-1562 x268
Cell 603- 520-9817
FAX 603- 226-7778
23 September 2004. A journalist writes, 5:45 PM, EST:
FYI, just spoke with a Justice Dept. spokesperson about this, who said, the call "was more of a pep talk, to remind them that we are sort of in the last quarter of the game and you have to keep your intensity up and your focus."As for the reports that Ashcroft said an attack on the scale of 9/11 was imminent within the next six weeks - "none of that was said," according the spokesperson, who compared it to Joe Torre walking into the clubhouse and telling players, "'we're definitely going to lose.'"
When I asked the spokesperson if the attorney general had communicated an increased risk of a terrorist attack in the U.S. within the next six weeks, I got a flat denial. "No, he did not communicate increased risk in next six weeks," were the exact words.
23 September 2004. Add Fox News report, info on message correspondents, and likely causes of the alert. Add AP report. Add Reuters report.
23 September 2004. Thanks to A.
This smells like Bush re-election material. Verification or refutation of this alleged alert is welcomed. Send to: jya@pipeline.com
"HIDTA" is High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President. "STX.HIDTA.NET" is the HIDTA Southwest Texas office in San Antonio.
-----Original Message----- From: Michelle Smith [mailto:msmith@stx.hidta.net] Subject: Terrorist attack on US Soil is Imminent Importance: High >> From: Cody Smirl [mailto:Cody.Smirl@oag.state.tx.us] >> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 9:41 AM >> >> Subject: Fwd: Terrorist attack on US Soil is Imminent >> >> >> > >>>>> >>> [removed] 9/22/2004 7:44:54 AM >>> > >> At the meeting of the Southern District of the Anti-Terrorism Advisory >> Council (ATAC) that was held yesterday in Houston, US Attorney Michael >> Shelby, informed the group that a terrorist attack of 09/11/01 >> proportions was going to be carried out on US soil within the next 6 >> weeks. >> >> Mr. Shelby stated that on 09/13/04, US Attorney General John Ashcroft, >> had a conference call with all 93 US Attorneys, an event which is >> extremely rare. The US Attorneys were informed that without a doubt, an >> attack was going to be perpetrated in the US within the next 6 weeks, >> prior to the elections. Mr. Shelby urgently requested that all law >> enforcement be aware of any situation that may be out of the ordinary >> and report the activity immediately. Mr. Shelby also requested that we >> get the word out to patrol officers and detectives to talk to their >> informants and report anything odd or remotely suspicious. Mr. Shelby >> ended this warning by saying that unless we get a bit of "luck" and the >> attack can be detected and prevented, that another attack of 9/11 scale >> will be carried out. >> >> Please disseminate to all of your law enforcement contacts ASAP.
_______________________________
Related site:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txw/criminal/anti_terror.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133281,00.html
Feds Concerned U.S. Terror Attack in Works
Thursday, September 23, 2004
WASHINGTON — Federal officials are increasingly concerned that a terrorist attack is being planned for the weeks prior to the Nov. 2 presidential election.
"Every day there is new information that raises the level of anxiety," said one law enforcement official who declined to be identified. The concern, based on intelligence reporting of multiple sources, is that the plots or plot may be in the final stages of planning — and ready to be executed at any time, the official said.
On Sept. 13, Attorney General John Ashcroft (search) held a conference call with U.S. attorneys throughout the nation, according to senior federal law enforcement officials.
During that call, Ashcroft warned them of the possibility of a major terror attack on U.S. soil in upcoming weeks. Law enforcement throughout the country were to be made aware of this concern.
Law enforcement officials are drastically increasing their efforts to track down potential terrorists, and have been ordered to press their sources and conduct interviews with anyone who may be potentially connected to terrorism.
"We're asking law enforcement officers to vigorously find any legitimate reason to arrest people we believe could be involved in terrorist activity, such as go after them for visa violations and deport them," one official said, who described the overall effort as one of "shaking the trees."
Senior officials said they "absolutely believe" someone will attempt a terror attack inside the United States within the next four to six weeks. One official described this time "as a very, very serious period."
"I have not seen people in our intelligence communities this nervous since 9/11," one official said, referring to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States that killed almost 3,000 people.
Officials said they believe they "disrupted" at least one major plot by some recent arrests, but fear they may not have "derailed" this plot and possibly two others.
"We will need some luck and the grace of God to prevent this one," one official said, explaining that again they have no specifics as to the exact time and place or clear method. They have some intelligence suggesting a truck bomb or some type of bomb may be used.
U.S. officials said they are getting intelligence from a variety of sources, including some people who've been arrested but are now talking. The information will lead to some visible activity in the next 10 days to two weeks, such as a rounding up of individuals who may be tied to terrorism.
FOX News' Anna Persky and Rita Cosby contributed to this report.
Ran some named individuals in the email to see if they panned out to known players, google only...
Some confirmation is needed (phone calls, etc) but I won't be doing that.
[removed] is a crime analyst for the TX Dept Public Safety (State Police):
[removed]
Cody Smirl is a detective with the Texas Rangers:
Michelle Smith?:
Michelle Smith, (210) 341-3953, 11721 Parliament St, San Antonio, TX 78213
Michelle Smith, (210) 680-2445, 4614 Canterbrook, San Antonio, TX 78238
It seems that shortly before this warning to US atorneys that Asscroft instructed his attorneys to lobby congress to support that Patriot Act. He was quickly rebuked for this move, so perhaps these more recent terror scares are just to silence critics.
Below from:
http://talkleft.com/new_archives/003508.html
Friday :: August 22, 2003
Ashcroft Tells U.S. Attorneys to Lobby Congress on Patriot Act
Is Attorney General John Ashcroft stepping over the line? In a memo to the 93 U.S. Attorneys in the country, Guy A. Lewis, director of the executive office for United States Attorneys, urges them to lobby Congress to keep funding "sneak and peek" searches.
The federal Anti-Lobbying Act generally prohibits government employees from lobbying for or against legislation. Ashcroft's spokesman says the 93 U.S. Attorneys are exempt because they are political appointees.
In addition to meeting with local House members, the memo instructs the 93 chief federal prosecutors to hold community meetings to press the virtues of the Patriot Act, the anti-terrorism legislation that passed overwhelmingly weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and gave the government significant new powers to conduct searches and surveillance in terrorism investigations.
Congressman John Conyers (D-Mi) has already fired off a letter to Ashcroft:
Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, told Mr. Ashcroft in a letter that he should either "desist from further speaking engagements" or explain why they do not violate restrictions on political activities by government officials.
Mr. Conyers said that the speeches in defense of the USA Patriot Act, as the antiterrorism law is known, appeared to conflict with Congressional restrictions preventing the use of Justice Department money for "publicity or propaganda purposes not authorized by Congress." He said they might also violate the Anti-Lobbying Act and its restrictions on grass-roots lobbying on legislative matters.
S. writes:
I was able to find this announcement made on September 17, 2004 which addresses a similar situation, but rather is an announcement of the procescution in a case of a false bomb threat:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txs/releases/September2004/040917-Gaytan.htm
Which is preceded by this:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txs/releases/May%202004/040513-Gaytan.htm
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 23, 2004
Filed at 5:17 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) -- As the election draws nearer, U.S. officials are increasingly concerned al-Qaida terrorists will attempt to mount a devastating attack to disrupt the political process.
In an unusual move, Attorney General John Ashcroft recently held a conference call with all 93 U.S. attorneys to spread the word that prosecutors and law enforcement officers should take every conceivable step to counter the threat, said two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the call.
Those steps include temporarily reassigning more FBI agents to counterterrorism investigations and having agents make more frequent checks with informers and key sources.
Authorities also are increasing what they call ``overt'' surveillance of terrorism suspects -- letting the suspects know they are being watched -- and they may arrest some on relatively minor charges to get them off the street.
The FBI also is checking new information gained from arrests of al-Qaida operatives, especially those in Britain and Pakistan, to see if any potential terrorist activities or warning signs in the United States have been overlooked.
The law enforcement officials, who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the United States still has no information indicating a time, place or method of attack.
Ashcroft's Sept. 13 call to prosecutors was prompted not by new intelligence but rather was intended to remind law enforcement officials about a steady stream of information pointing to an election-year attack, one official said.
U.S. authorities are concerned al-Qaida might try to replicate the influence terrorists had in Spain, where the governing party that supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq was defeated at the polls after March 11 train bombings in Madrid killed 200 people.
Democrats have accused the Bush administration of scare tactics on terrorism warnings -- deliberately frightening the public to give President Bush a boost at the polls.
On Aug. 1, the government raised the risk of a terorrist attack to ``high'' on specific financial institutions in New York, New Jersey and Washington, based partly on years-old intelligence. At the time, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge defended the decision, saying ``we don't do politics'' with terror threats.
The color-coded threat level for the rest of the nation remains at yellow, or elevated, the middle of a five-point scale.
Intelligence gathered by the U.S. government since early spring indicates al-Qaida wants to launch an attack that would equal or surpass that of Sept. 11, 2001, when 3,000 people died in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
``Recent intelligence suggest that al-Qaida may still be planning an attack, possibly targeting highly populated public places in large U.S. cities, in the weeks immediately prior to the elections,'' the FBI said Aug. 27 in a bulletin to 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies.
The bulletin did not describe any potential targets or cities, and repeated that the FBI had no specific timing or method of such an attack.
Ridge recently said the attack time frame could extend beyond the campaign season to the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has urged federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials to keep up efforts to thwart a possible attack by al Qaeda in the weeks leading up to the November election.
Ashcroft and Deputy Attorney General James Comey took the unusual step of holding a conference call with all 93 U.S. Attorneys last week for a "pep talk" to urge them not to let down their guard in light of a potential terror threat, a senior Justice Department official said Thursday.
The official, who took part in the call, said Ashcroft and Comey reiterated concerns that top U.S. officials have been voicing since the spring -- that al Qaeda may try to attack the United States in the run up to the November election.
"Given that the intelligence was pegged to an attack between now and the election, the closer we get to the election, obviously the smaller the window gets and the greater our concern gets," said the official.
"We are engaged in a full-court press in every corner of the country to try to detect and disrupt the attack that we're worried about. And this is part of that -- enlisting the U.S. attorneys."
The official said Ashcroft was concerned that some prosecutors and law enforcement officials may have let their guard down because there had been so many terror alerts.
"It was a pep talk," he said. "We're pushing energy into the system."
He said state and local police were also urged to stay alert and be on the lookout for any possible terror suspects.
"We need to make sure everybody understands that this is not a New York or a (Washington) D.C. thing, this is an everywhere thing," he said.