6 chapters across the catalog
U.S. Strategic Command issued an apology after tweeting a video of a B-2 stealth bomber dropping bombs with a caption comparing the munitions to the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square. The tweet, which stated the command was ready to drop something "much much bigger," was deleted following public criticism for being in poor taste.
Catherine Herridge cites the Times Square bomber and the Fort Hood shooting as evidence of a rising homegrown terror threat. She describes Anwar al-Awlaki as the "Dear Abby of the jihadist world" for his role in motivating American citizens. The hosts argue that many of these cases are the result of FBI sting operations targeting individuals with limited capabilities.
Manufactured Terror Threats and the Slut Squad Distraction
The discussion shifts to how the government uses failed terror plots, such as the Times Square bomber, to justify the Patriot Act. The hosts suggest that the FBI often entices individuals into plots to create arrest headlines. They also posit that pop culture blunders, like Christina Aguilera's national anthem mistake, serve as "Slut Squad" distractions to keep the public from noticing legislative maneuvers.
Janet Napolitano and the Holiday Terror Chatter Meme
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano discusses "chatter" regarding potential holiday attacks during an ABC News segment. The analysis critiques her logic regarding the prevention of the Christmas Day and Times Square bombing attempts, arguing that public intervention rather than government skill was the deciding factor.
Times Square Bomber, Media Portrayal of Pakistanis
The sentencing of the Times Square bomber is used to highlight a media shift toward portraying Pakistanis as the new face of homegrown terrorism. The hosts note discrepancies between the suspect's actual appearance and the "scary" traditional imagery used in courtroom sketches and CNN reports.
Pakistan Retribution Plan, Times Square Bomber and CIA Tradecraft
Bob Woodward revealed a secret U.S. "retribution plan" for Pakistan in the event of a terrorist attack on American soil linked to the country. The plan was reportedly communicated to President Zardari following the Times Square bombing attempt. The hosts argue that the public is being conditioned to view Pakistan as the primary threat to justify future military or intelligence actions.
