The Unapologetic Christian Conservative Patriot » Cyber Attack Info

Homeland Security Report No. 206 Available for FREE Download

Anthony Davis — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:37:24 +0000

The March 2010 issue of the Homeland Security Report is available is available for Free download.
(Note: The February issue was not published this year.)

This month’s issue covers:

Officer Safety Item
Social Media in Law Enforcement
Keeping Children Safe Online
Terrorism, Security and Moving Forward
Gang Resources
2010 Asian Gang Conference
Free Resources
NCTC Interactive Website
National Resource Directory
Lighten Up
Terrorism Calendar

The Homeland Security Report can be downloaded from the Homeland Security Group at:

http://www.homelandsecuritygroup.info

Homeland Security Report No. 205 Available for Free Download

Anthony Davis — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:06:18 +0000

Happy New Year Folks,

The January 2010 issue of the Homeland Security Report is available is available for Free download.

This month’s issue covers:

* Officer Safety Item
* Thoughts of the Recent Aviation Attack
* Executive Order 12425 – Immunity to INTERPOL
* Computer Threat
* Crime in the United States
* Free Resources
* Lighten Up
* Terrorism Calendar

The Homeland Security Report can be downloaded at:Â http://www.homelandsecuritygroup.info

Stay safe.

Tony

Homeland Security Report No. 204 is posted.

Anthony Davis — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:12:41 +0000

The December 2009 issue of the Homeland Security Report is available is available for Free download.

This month’s issue covers:

Officer Safety Item
Maritime, Aviation and Cybersecurity Challenges
Gang Resource List
Emergency Management Training
December Sale – Terrorism Book
Free Resources
Links of Interest
Lighten Up
Terrorism Calendar

The Homeland Security Report can be downloaded from HERE.

A Coming Domestic Attack?

Anthony Davis — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:37:41 +0000

Is the arrest of Michael Finton an isolated case? Or is this a road sign of coming events? It doesn’t take too much imagination (or memory for that matter) to consider that our nation is overdue for an attack…from within. Michael Finton (aka Talib Islam) was arrested after attempting to detonate a bomb near a federal building. This sounds remarkably similar to the Oklahoma City attack against the Alfred P. Murrah building in April 1995. Fortunately, Finton is not that bright. He had a van full of inactive explosives and likely didn’t know what he was doing. Even so, technical non-competence aside, the issue focuses upon motivations. Here is a guy that for whatever reason became enamored with the now imprisoned American gone wrong, John Walker Lindh. On the surface, this validates an opinion that idiots tend to travel in the same circles. Finton will likely be locked away but we should not be fooled to believe the problem is gone.

Last week, Hosam Maher Husein Smadi was arrested after he intended to set off a car bomb in the parking garage of the Fountain Place office tower in Dallas, Texas. Fortunately, Smadi’s bomb was a dud. He had been under FBI surveillance after discovering his intent to conduct an attack against the U.S. through an Internet chat room. Even though Smadi’s car bomb was a decoy, he made it clear that he intended to attack military facilities including recruiting offices, financial companies and an airport. Let’s not forget that we have already seen an attack against our recruiting office when Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad (aka Carlos Bledsoe) shot two soldiers in Little Rock, Arkansas earlier this year. Getting back to Smadi. He drove the vehicle into the parking garage, set the timer, turned on the power switch, then drove to meet undercover agents and dialed a cell phone, expecting to detonate the bomb. He may not have had a real bomb, but he clearly shows his intent to kill Americans here at home.

Another intended bomber is Najibullah Zazi. According to the factual details within the Detention Memo, it describes how Zazi obtained three email accounts used to seek information related to bombmaking. He traveled to Pakistan (where his wife and children live) and obtained bombmaking instructions and a list of materials needed to make TATP, the explosive used in the 2005 London Train bombing and failed shoe bomb attempt by Richard Reid. Once again, this is a case that shows an active intent to conduct an attack within the U.S. by Zazi’s coordinated acquisition of the chemical substances. Additional communications and evidence confirm the objective.

In North Carolina, Daniel Patrick Boyd (aka Saifullah), Hysen Sherifi, and Zakariya Boyd, (aka Zak) were arrested for their plans to attack the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. Boyd showed his intent by survellance of the base and purchasing armor-piercing ammunition for the operation.

The cases above show intent to conduct attacks by those with an Islamic affiliation. Yet, the threat does not stop here. For some, this next example might be a stretch. On September 12, Bill Sparkman was found dead, hanging from a tree in a Kentucky cemetery. Sparkman was a U.S. Census worker. When he was found, he had duct tape wrapped around his neck, wrists and over his eyes. He was stripped naked, wearing only a pair of socks. On his chest written with a felt-tip pen was the word, Fed. This case seems to leave more questions than answers. Let’s consider some. He was found on September 12.

Did the killing occur on September 11 as the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks?
Was this a targeted attack against a representative of the U.S. Government or seen as an attack against a symbol of the current administration?
Was this a Hate crime or an isolated attack by a gang, youth violence or other perpetrators?
Was this a personal attack indicated by the stripping of his clothes?

Here’s the point. It doesn’t matter if you agree with my perspective or not. Just look at the followining issues and ask yourself if you believe these are excuses that a criminal would use to perpetrate an attack. My point is the fact that we have anti-government groups and individuals that may have had enough and each day they get closer to acting. This comes at a time when our own Law Enforcement and Emergency Management Professionals are facing budget and personnel shortfalls. We are in a critical time.

Our nation is facing economic, moral, political and longevity challenges. There are citizens in this country that are growing weary of the direction of our country. Unemployment increases each month and while families are struggling to keep their homes and feed their children, they see President Obama donate $400,000 to a Libyan charity run by the Gaddafi family. This comes immediately after the Pan Am 103 bomber is released. People in this country are getting mixed messages.

As families and small businesses struggle, they hear of intended fines if they choose not to opt into a government run healthcare system. With my own plan, it looks as though the cost of health insurance will increase $7,000 – $9,000 per year. For some families struggling in our current employment situation, they might not make that much per year. This comes at a time when the President spends millions to fly to Denmark to get the Olympics in Chicago. As we draw nearer to an unpopular healthcare bill, one party that is pushing it wants it voted upon without actually reading what it says. This is similar to a vote where you enter the booth and the person at the door says, You can’t really see what it says. Just vote Yes. Citizens in this country want and deserve the transparency that was promised them.

Each month, our military men and women die in foreign wars or come back maimed. Yet, the President opts to spend only 25-minutes with General McChrystal, the boots-on-the-ground expert of the situation. As each campaign promise is broken, citizens in this country begin to feel lied to and as if they were taken advantage of. Many in this country have concerns for our nation’s longevity and they don’t see their ability to be participants according to the principles of democracy. I really don’t care much what side of the political aisle a person stands and whether they agree with the picture I present above. We’re in a critical time when criminal or terrorist actors have an environment to validate their behavior.

We know through the various bombing attempts in recent days that our country is being targeted by those that care little for our way of life and American freedoms. But given the political environment, do you see where groups or lone wolves could take these examples I pose above and use them as an excuse to kill? Many people would have to say yes because the tensions are there and see bleak futures ahead.

The question: What are we going to do about it? Are we going to be advocates to ensure our Law Enforcement and First Responders are properly funded, staffed and trained? Or, are we going to sit by, wring our fingers and hope that everyone will suddenly get along? To do that would be to live under a rock and that’s exactly where some elected officials want us. Are we going to ensure the elected are held accountable and pursue the betterment of our country or are we going to hope someone else does it for us? Just how much is the cost of a cell phone call to a representative in DC? In the county where I live, law enforcement had to send the annual supply of ammunition back because of budget cuts. Yet, there are more and more instances of tagging by gangs. When people no longer feel they can be a part of the solution, some opt to become part of the problem and criminal activity increases.

The FBI recently began taking a closer look at the propensity of Lone Wolf actors conducting attacks here in the U.S. Nearly every week ATF is on the case of some criminal intending harm to our citizens. It is my belief that it is just a matter of time before we become victim of another domestic attack. Prisoners are being returned to the streets and law enforcement faces challenges because of budget shortfalls. The tensions are there and politicians don’t see the impact of their decisions.

I hope I’m wrong.

Anthony “Tony” M. Davis, CMAS

Thoughts of the Eight-Year 9/11 Anniversary

Anthony Davis — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:18:29 +0000

WTC Attack as seen from the EPA Building

The eight-year anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks is approaching. The last few days I’ve been thinking about the significance of this anniversary. It’s not like it was the 5th or the 10th. For some foolish reason, some people act as though an anniversary is less important if it is not a rounded number like 5, 10, 15 or 20. Given people’s short memories I sometimes worry that the 15th or 20th anniversary of 9/11 may fade into darkness like Pearl Harbor. How many Decembers have gone by and we hear about a remembrance on the news about the World War II attack and we just wait until the next news story? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying this is right. I’m saying this is a picture of our self-absorbed culture. It somehow doesn’t seem significant to many folks because they choose not to understand our history and the sacrifices of many good citizens, soldiers, sailors and marines.

I admit that a few years ago, I didn’t have a good understanding of Pearl Harbor; it was long before my time and life got in the way as it often does today. Then, I met Mr. Owen, an old man that lived behind me. Over casual Hellos we became friends and would meet at the back fence in the early evenings with our coffee to talk.

Mr. Owen served on the USS Nevada when they came under Japanese attack. He described those years during the war, the day of the attack and the loss of his friends and fellow sailors. After his ship was gone, he served in Adak, Alaska to prepare a front against a coming enemy. It was a significant part of his life as a survivor, but also because of his love and pride for this nation. This important event in history was kept alive by men like him and others to make our nation stronger. It is the remembrance of loss and the pride of a nation that brings people to respond. Many stopgaps are in place today because of those that sacrificed.

So here we are eight years after the 2001 attack. How have we responded? Initially, the world came together and memorial services were held. Many in this nation were impacted so significantly that they changed careers and went into military services, the intelligence community, law enforcement or some other response-related occupation. We all wanted to do something we just didn’t know where to begin. I remember at the time as the Intelligence Chief with the Coast Guard in Mobile, Alabama we shared the building with US Customs and the FBI was right across the street. Yet, no one shared information. I began the Homeland Security Group before there was ever a Department of Homeland Security in an effort to educate and keep our folks safe and informed. Was that the answer needed? I’m not sure, but it helped. It’s funny how eight years into this; I still get tips from people that think I’m DHS. That’s ok; it’s encouraging to see people reporting issues of concern. I take the info and get it to the right people.

The US Attorney established Antiterrorism Task Forces in an effort to bring people together. Yet, local law enforcement and responders were often held back because they lacked a secret clearance. In some cases, that condition continues to exist today. Over time, it seemed like there were Task Forces popping up all over the country. I believe some were ineffective and in competition with one another. For others, when a new Task Force was set up, this was seen as an opportunity to reassign some people and still claim participation in the Task Force.

Looking back at the beginning and where we are today, we’re getting there. The FBI set up the Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF) and during the time when they had Maureen Baginski running their intelligence business, she set up Field Intelligence Groups. Sometimes the bureau still has issues playing well but depending on the office, some good things are being done. I visited the National Joint Terrorism Task Force sometime ago and was encouraged to see a variety of important players across a wide spectrum in that operation, and they are all quality people.

Personally, I don’t really care much what people think of President George Bush. I know he cares for this country and he rightfully realigned our nation’s response structure with the formation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Are they where they need to be? Not yet. In fact, getting and keeping good people has been a challenge often times because of bureaucracy and the old ways of folks that haven’t retired yet. However, the formation of DHS Fusion Centers throughout the country has proven successful. These folks are allowed to do their jobs without having to play Mother May at every step.

From a maritime and port security perspective, the Coast Guard today looks much different that it did prior to 9/11. This service is a continually evolving organization. In fact, they were already in the modernization mode prior to 2001. I remember being involved with the Deepwater Project and the merging of training and specialties to increase their capability to respond. This small service understands response – they live it everyday.

Today, these agencies and many others are in the midst of ongoing changes seeking to protect our nation. Yet, as a nation we’ll be successful if we’re under strong leadership. You don’t have to look too far to see distrust in our current political environment. Those in leadership positions promise one thing and then get elected and do something else. Our nation is in the midst of economic turmoil while some political leaders seek self-serving initiatives to take the country down further. Those citizens that stand up for this nation and what we are founded upon are seen as Radicals for holding lawmakers accountable. We have elected leaders holding more road shows than a Barnum Bailey Circus, rather than pursuing a stronger nation. When they get opposition from those that speak up, attendance becomes limited to only those that will coddle their egos. Freedom of speech should be allowed for every citizen, not just those in political agreement with the elected. When leaders fail to lead, people no longer want to be led and that’s one step closer to anarchy.

Does anybody remember the Oklahoma City bombing? Or is it out of our memory like Pearl Harbor? I hope not. Our nation was attacked on that day and we lost innocent citizens. Today our nation is at a critical juncture where we face the potential for a domestic attack. The FBI recently began taking a closer look at the potential for these events after the killing of an abortion doctor and an attack at the Holocaust Museum in DC. This is important. How many others feel the necessity to act against the legal guidelines intended to maintain order?

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, they track over 800 hate groups within the US. Any actions by these groups place our citizens in jeopardy. Yet, when our nation faces continual unemployment, loss of their homes and meddling with their healthcare, there becomes an increased propensity of action by those unwilling to honor our legal system. This comes at a time when our law enforcement and first responders’ resources are continually being cut because of budgetary issues. California is about to release 27,000 felons from the prison system. In a prison environment, a convict survives by becoming aligned with a gang. Those gang members when released into the world strengthen organized crime and weaken our nation.

This is not a pretty picture, but what are we going to do about it? We need to be advocates for responsible government. I recently heard an elected official say that he will vote his own way rather than that of his constituents. When our elected officials refuse to represent the citizens, we need to get someone else elected and push the selfish out. We need to be advocates for our law enforcement, and first responders that will be the ones on scene cleaning up the messes caused by others. We need to volunteer our time and get involved in making this country stronger – not through the use of illegal methods but through the proven avenues set forth in our Constitution. We need to report instances that we feel are illegal to law enforcement. If the ACLU steps in and cries rights violations, we need to tell them to shut up. Sitting on the sidelines hoping that somebody will read our minds and intervene on our behalf will only generate actions benefiting others.

It’s unimportant to me if people agree with my political analysis of the state of our nation or not. What is important to me is that we maintain a free society so our kids and grandkids have the same opportunities we’ve enjoyed throughout our lifetimes. Agree or not, our nation currently has plenty of frustrated and displeased people. Mark my words: We will have another domestic attack unless our law enforcement can identify those unwilling to live within the law. These problems exist on both sides of the political aisle. Their actions are wrong but criminals need very little to justify their behavior.

In my book,Terrorism and the Maritime Transportation System I describe a variety of current issues that place our nation’s safety in jeopardy. I describe how we need to be responsible citizens. If we are going to claim our citizenship, we need to be participants. Looking back, I almost wish I named the book something else. Many feel it is just about maritime stuff and it doesn’t affect them. The fact is, the Maritime Transportation System encompasses our ports, rails, highways, pipelines, rivers, trucks, bridges and more. In many cases, these are soft targets. Take one of these out and our entire nation is impacted economically – at a time when we cannot afford it. When it comes to power, those who own the debt of others are more powerful. Are we fighting for this nation or are we giving the power to others?

As we draw nearer to the 9/11 anniversary we should not view this as just a tragic day that happened years ago. It happened to our nation and to our people. We should look at this event as an indicator of the state of the world and how our nation is in a targeting bore sight by others. For me, I can’t rid the feeling of hopelessness and despair some felt as they stepped out the windows of the World Trade Center to their deaths. They felt there was no hope for them. Those leaders from World War II took themselves out of the picture and pursued actions to allow our future generations a free nation with opportunity and hope. The 9/11 anniversary should resonate in our souls with one burning question: What am I going to do to keep this country strong?

Anthony M. Davis, CMAS