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Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library Tower Plot?

By Jeralyn, Section War on Terror
Posted on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 12:22:10 PM EST
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Officials now say the LA Library Tower attack that Bush discussed yesterday never got beyond the planning stage because one of the participant pilots backed out. (link fixed) We didn't foil the plan, they 86'd it.

But why did Bush bring it up yesterday? Why did he pick this particular threat? Particularly, if as he said, he wasn't intending to link it to his warrantless monitoring program.

Here's my speculation: He knew we're going to hear all about it in the Zacarias Moussaoui death penalty trial. Bush is telling the story his way. If the prosecution doesn't introduce the evidence concerning this threat and its purported participants, the defense may to show Moussaoui had no part in the 9/11 attacks.

All of the details of the plot except for the use of shoe bombs has been reported before. The names of all the participants have been reported.

I don't have time to lay this all out now, maybe someone else will who has been following the Moussaoui case and Hambali and Khalid Sheikh Mohammad. To get you started:

Later that year, Hambali and his crew would provide accommodations and other assistance (including information on flight schools and help in acquiring ammonium nitrate) for Zacarias Moussaoui, an al Qaeda operative sent to Malaysia by Atef and KSM. Hambali used Bin Ladin's Afghan facilities as a training ground for JI recruits. Though he had a close relationship with Atef and KSM, he maintained JI's institutional independence from al Qaeda. Hambali insists that he did not discuss operations with Bin Ladin or swear allegiance to him, having already given such a pledge of loyalty to Bashir, Sungkar's successor as JI leader. Thus, like any powerful bureaucrat defending his domain, Hambali objected when al Qaeda leadership tried to assign JI members to terrorist projects without notifying him.

Bush yesterday talked about interrogation results from those arrested. They all have been held in secret or foreign prisons in places that allow torture. Who knows if what they told the CIA or other authorities about the Library Tower attack is credible? Information gained under torture, which of course the U.S. does not engage in, is hardly reliable.

Also read Glenn Greenwald who discusses Bush's plot revelation and provides his thoughts.

Update: Time Magazine reporters Brian Bennett and Matthew Cooper have a different theory.

< Friday Open Thread | Conyers Seeks Answers From Cheney and Bush on Libby Leaks >

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    Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library Tower Plot? | 39 comments (39 topical)
    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#1)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 12:48:09 PM EST
    Atrios points out:
    Fortunately someone in the White House press corps had sense enough to realize that this does not make any sense: WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President George W. Bush disclosed new details on Thursday of a thwarted al Qaeda plot to use shoe bombs to hijack a plane and fly it into a Los Angeles building, as he sought to justify his tactics in fighting terrorism.
    Hard to hijacl a plane with a shoe bomb. Shoe bombs blow up planes.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#2)
    by Darryl Pearce on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 12:57:15 PM EST
    Yeah..., but they had just the right amount of stuff probably assessed through accurate, scientific observation.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#3)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 01:06:34 PM EST
    Because he wants americans to endorse spying without court orders and to deflect from Brown, and to deflect from Libby.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#4)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 01:08:13 PM EST
    The bomb materials in the shoe were supposed to only blow the cockpit door open so they could overtake the pilot. At least in the story i read in WSJ, which sounds about right to me.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#5)
    by ras on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 01:41:05 PM EST
    This all raises a bigger q: What has prevented the US from being hit by another major terrorist attack so far? My usual three suspects: 1. US troops on the borders of terror-sponsoring states are intimidating the root causes, implying that terrorism largely interstate war-by-proxy rather than the largely freelance effort it's portrayed as. 2. Breaking up AQ hq (in Afghanistan) has completely disrupted AQ's overly-centralized cell system. 3. Day-to-day anti-terrorist work has provided a 100% perfect security blanket,countering each attempted blow before it can land. Your call, guys, but it's gonna be some combination of the above, so when you deflate one - or try to - you inflate the others. Bush is currently responsible for all three. I wrote them above in my own ranking order, btw: #1 leads, #2 is significant but underappreciated, and #3 chips in here & there, albeit it does overlap with #2 somewhat.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#6)
    by desertswine on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 02:13:56 PM EST
    Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library Tower Plot?
    Because it's the second of his series of fictional readings that started with "My Pet Goat?"

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#7)
    by chupetin on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 02:15:37 PM EST
    Yes, lets compare the number of major terrorist attacks in this country post 9/11 to the number pre 9/11 when we were getting hit with terrorists attacks on a monthly basis.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#8)
    by Edger on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 02:18:47 PM EST
    Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library Tower Plot?
    Sooner or later we'll think of somethin' they'll be a'scared of, right dick?

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#9)
    by jondee on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 02:31:38 PM EST
    How many U.S citizens - and, last time I looked soldiers were citizens - have been killed since Bush took office? Yes, your preznit should be put on Rushmore now for making sure (so far) that we havnt had two 9/11s on his watch. Whoo hoo!

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#10)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 02:33:24 PM EST
    Jlvngstn -
    The bomb materials in the shoe were supposed to only blow the cockpit door open...... which sounds about right to me.
    You must represent the avrage audience that Bush intended the comment for, Good to know. It suggests that he is only lying and not also stupid. Maybe I am just out of touch, but to have a small controlled explosion on a plane with shoe bombs???? I dunno to me it sounds like something from a comic book.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#11)
    by Sailor on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 02:34:47 PM EST
    It does raise the question of why bush didn't think it was necessary to inform the mayor of LA. It also raises the question of why we suddenly have all these terror related stories about the past suddenly pop up, along with a nerve gas scare at the capitol right before a PAII vote. 3 reasons we haven't been attacked since 9/11:
    1. US troops on the borders of terror-sponsoring states are intimidating the root causes
    actually, we are enhancing the root causes everyday. Poverty, torture, imprisonment w/o charge, killing innocent women and children and lying about it ... etc.
    2. Breaking up AQ hq (in Afghanistan) has completely disrupted AQ's overly-centralized cell system.
    AQ never had a centralized authority, and they are alive and well in afghanistan. Heck, the taliban is running openly for gov't offices.
    3. Day-to-day anti-terrorist work has provided a 100% perfect security blanket,countering each attempted blow before it can land.
    Really!? Please note my lion repellent is working quite well too.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#12)
    by jondee on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 02:37:35 PM EST
    Apparently even the Mayor - he's one a em dark people; could be a tareist -didnt know about this until the day before Bush's announcement.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#13)
    by Punchy on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 03:30:04 PM EST
    Sailor nails it: Please note my lion repellent is working quite well I guess GB should get credit, too, that no one's been hit by a hurricane in the last 6 weeks, that our country hasn't been hit with the Black Plague since he took office, and that, thanks to our national security apparatus, the Sun ALWAYS rises each morning.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#14)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 03:31:49 PM EST
    sailor-I think that the WH has contested the Mayor's claim that he was not told. It seems clear to me thar this is all about laving the groundwork in terms of PR in order to secure a conviction of Zacarias Moussaoui. Mainly because of the timing of the announcement. All other benefits, like deflecting attention from the WH's other problems, keeping us in a state of terror, and showing that they are winning the war on terror newly named 'the long war, is just icing on the cake.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#15)
    by ras on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 03:37:35 PM EST
    Sailor, Really!? Please note my lion repellent is working quite well too The implication to your comment is that there is, and was, no serious threat. If that is the best the Left can do - to deny the danger, all evidence to the contrary - then it's no wonder they lose elections on the security issue; their damage is self-inflicted.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#16)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 03:48:27 PM EST
    ras-
    If that is the best the Left can do - to deny the danger, all evidence to the contrary - then it's no wonder they lose elections on the security issue; their damage is self-inflicted.
    You are right. Scaring the pants off voters is a sure fire method for maintaining power. It is the method of choice for corrupt regimes, dictators and fascists throughout history. Perfect formula, works like magic. Save for Utopia there is always a threat.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#17)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 04:26:42 PM EST
    Perhaps this is also icing on the cake: Fearmongering as Justification for attacking Iran? Or is Scott Ritter just trying to scare us into buying his new book. Hope it is the latter.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#18)
    by pigwiggle on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 04:37:42 PM EST
    I think the timing was chosen to imply the need for the warrantless NSA program. I think the average sucker isn't going to bother to ask if this 'foiled' plot was a fruit of the NSA program, and the execs can enjoy the assumption. Even if it was, I'm not sold. Even if the attacks on trade center 1&2 and the pentagon could have been foiled I'm not sold on nixing judicial review. ras- Fundamental rights like freedom from warrentless search and seizure or due process; these are real and extrinsic. Maybe the left wont say it, but these things are more valuable than life; more valuable than the ~3000 who died in the pentagon and trade center attacks. How many folks died; actively sought out their end to secure these rights for succeeding generations? 3000 thousand is a trifle, about as many of Washington's troops died over the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge of simple exposure. The American Revolutionary War was fought during a smallpox plague that killed nearly 1/5 of a million in North America. The War on Terror isn't our greatest challenge; it's an overblown, overhyped, ghost story.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#19)
    by jondee on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 04:49:37 PM EST
    "Losing elections on the security issue." Securing the sanctity of marriage from the predations of humasexuals.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#20)
    by Edger on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 04:57:28 PM EST
    Pigwiggle: Maybe the left wont say it, but these things are more valuable than life Perhaps not by well known public figures or politicians on the left, but in a variety of ways, in many different words, that's been said here many times by many people. The War on Terror isn't our greatest challenge; As a matter of fact it is to many the greatest challenge, daily. It is a fight for reason and sense, and against manipulation through the relentless selling of fear. it's an overblown, overhyped, ghost story. And that is why.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#21)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 05:04:14 PM EST
    pw-I still think Bush's motivation for the 'news' is the Zacarias Moussaoui death penalty trial. But on your reply to ras I couldn't agree with you more
    Fundamental rights like freedom from warrentless search and seizure or due process; these are real and extrinsic. Maybe the left wont say it, but these things are more valuable than life.....
    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#22)
    by Edger on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 06:06:23 PM EST
    It's a "petty tyrant"...

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 06:10:05 PM EST
    all the theories put forth on why now are plausible to me. pw: The War on Terror isn't our greatest challenge; it's an overblown, overhyped, ghost story. Could not be more right on.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#24)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 07:40:41 PM EST
    et al - Twenty three comments. None say: I don't know why he's telling us now. I'm just happy we caught'em. Wonder why...

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#25)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 08:03:07 PM EST
    ppj-hijacking the thread. Hoping to get us all to avoid the topic and join in your echo chamber? The question that is most apt is why don't you join in and address the question that TL posed? If you do not like the question and are dissatisfied with the crowd here, then go and leave us be, Start your own blog.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 09:02:54 PM EST
    ppj: et al - Twenty three comments. None say... (including yours)

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#27)
    by Edger on Sat Feb 11, 2006 at 05:39:56 AM EST
    I don't know why he's telling us now. Hint: The comments are for reading, not just counting.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 11, 2006 at 08:49:03 AM EST
    ppj: punisher - The phrase is "by inference." Well, if inference counts, then I inferred it before you did: all the theories put forth on why now are plausible to me. I thought that I was pretty clearly inferring "I don't know why he's telling us now."

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#30)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Feb 11, 2006 at 09:01:49 AM EST
    None say: I don't know why he's telling us now. I'm just happy we caught'em. Wonder why...
    Uh... because we have the facilities for critical thinking? I thought a supposed liberal-at-heart like yourself would understand the value of asking "why". Weird...

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#31)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Feb 11, 2006 at 09:02:25 AM EST
    and, yes, I meant faculties.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#32)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Feb 11, 2006 at 11:16:41 AM EST
    scar - That is "social liberal." punisher - No, my inference was days before I noted your lack of inference. But nice try.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#33)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 11, 2006 at 12:07:52 PM EST
    jim, huh? sorry if you're joking and I'm missing it, but my comment is right before yours in the thread, and I know what I was inferring, because I wrote it. If I need to be more specific, I chose the word "plausible" specifically because it inferred that the suggestions were possible but not known to be true.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#34)
    by jondee on Sat Feb 11, 2006 at 07:11:45 PM EST
    "Social liberal." trans: White gays will no longer be turned away from his compound in northern Idaho.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#35)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 12, 2006 at 01:34:58 AM EST
    I see that PPJ is back here again, demonstrating his continual inability to grasp the logic of other people's posts, and his preference for engaging people in irrelevant and time-wasting arguments. Attempting to counter one of his posts with logic and relevance only generates another inevitable round of his distractions. Get smart, don't reply.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#36)
    by Edger on Sun Feb 12, 2006 at 01:40:10 AM EST
    Get smart, don't reply. Cymro, I agree with you. He said it best himself earlier, here.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#37)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 12, 2006 at 02:01:32 AM EST
    why is bush telling us about this so called plot? becuase the CIA Was planing this attack but fox "stopped" it, right now L.A., Is part of mexico and makes mexico about 3 billion a year in drug money, bush gets his cut at the end of the day.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#38)
    by Sailor on Sun Feb 12, 2006 at 09:23:16 AM EST
    Outraged intelligence professionals say President George W. Bush is "cheapening" and "politicizing" their work with claims the United States foiled a planned terrorist attack against Los Angeles in 2002.

    "The President has cheapened the entire intelligence community by dragging us into his fantasy world," says a longtime field operative of the Central Intelligence Agency. "He is basing this absurd claim on the same discredited informant who told us Al Qaeda would attack selected financial institutions in New York and Washington."
    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#39)
    by jondee on Sun Feb 12, 2006 at 12:43:59 PM EST
    "None say.." Im guessing its because most here think Bush is a self serving, lying sack of sh*t.

    Re: Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library (none / 0) (#40)
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    Why is Bush Telling Us About the L.A. Library Tower Plot? | 39 comments (39 topical)