General Discussion, Sunday, February 26, 2023

1993: Truck bomb explodes in the parking garage of New York’s World Trade Center, killing 6 people and injuring over 1,000. It was the deadliest act of terrorism perpetrated on US soil at the time.

The World Trade Center bombing plot began in the months before September 1, 1992, when two of the main conspirators, Ahmad Ajaj and Ramzi Yousef, arrived in the United States from Pakistan. Upon detecting his poorly falsified Swedish passport, customs agents detained Ajaj and confiscated his suitcase, which contained bombing manuals and anti-American propaganda. Yousef, traveling on an Iraqi passport bearing the name Abdel Basit Mahmoud, requested political asylum. He was arrested for entering the United States without a visa but was released on his own recognizance and allowed into the country. While Ajaj waited in jail, Yousef began to implement a plan that allegedly aimed at toppling the twin towers of the World Trade Center. On October 1 he moved into a rented room in the Little Egypt section of Jersey City, New Jersey, with another conspirator, Mohammad Salameh.

The plotters purchased bomb-making materials and stored them in a locker rented by Salameh. On January 1, 1993, Salameh also rented a garage apartment in Jersey City for use as a bomb factory. Over the next several weeks, the group assembled a 1,500-pound (680-kilogram) bomb, and Salameh went on scouting missions to the World Trade Center. Yousef called an associate, Eyad Ismoil, who arrived in New York just days before the bombing.

On February 23, 1993, Salameh rented a van, which he reported stolen two days later in order to establish an alibi. The men purchased several tanks of hydrogen gas and loaded them into the bomb-laden van to magnify the power of the explosion. In the early morning hours of February 26, Mahmud Abouhalima, another conspirator, filled the gas tanks of his car and the rented van. Yousef, Abouhalima, Salameh, and Ismoil then drove to Lower Manhattan.

The van was left in a parking garage in the World Trade Center complex. At 12:18 PM the explosives detonated, opening a blast crater six stories deep and 200 feet wide. Within hours Salameh went to the rental agency to claim his deposit for the “stolen” van; he was told to return later. Ismoil fled to Jordan, and Yousef, the mastermind of the operation, was on a flight to Karachi, Pakistan, that evening. By the time Yousef had left the country, authorities had already received more than 50 phone calls claiming responsibility for the bombing, as well as a handful of fake bomb threats at targets throughout New York City. With few leads, the initial suspects included Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi and Iraqi Pres. Ṣaddām Ḥussein. Ḥussein seemed the most likely candidate, as the bombing took place on the second anniversary of his defeat by U.S. forces in Kuwait.

Within two days of the bombing, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uncovered a charred and mangled piece of the van’s chassis that bore its vehicle identification number. That number led authorities to the rental agency in Jersey City. On March 4, when Salameh returned to claim the refund on his deposit, the FBI arrested him. The rental agreement in Salameh’s pocket bore traces of bomb residue as well as the address of the Jersey City apartment. At the apartment, authorities found another roommate, Abdul Rahman Yasin, who led them to the bomb factory. Yasin, who was not taken into custody, left the country the next day, headed for Iraq. Abouhalima had also fled New York, for Saudi Arabia. He was arrested in Egypt on March 10, the same day Nidal Ayyad, another conspirator, was arrested in New Jersey. With Yasin in Iraq and Yousef still at large, a federal grand jury in Manhattan handed down an 11-count indictment against Salameh, Abouhalima, Ayyad, and a man named Bilal Alkaisi, who turned himself in to police in late March. Ajaj, Yousef’s traveling companion in 1992, was indicted in May 1993.

Britannica

 

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65 Responses to General Discussion, Sunday, February 26, 2023

  1. Lucille says:

    Article quote (except for the capitalization): “The rental agreement in Salameh’s pocket bore traces of bomb residue as well as the address of the Jersey City apartment. At the apartment, authorities found another roommate, Abdul Rahman Yasin, who led them to the bomb factory. Yasin, WHO WAS NOT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY!!!!!!, left the country the next day, headed for Iraq.”

    In 1994 he was arrested by the Iraqi government, which informed the U. S. State Department. The SD refused to even acknowledge the communication. Yasin remained on the FBI Most Wanted List.
    https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/abdul-rahman-yasin

    “On May 23, 2002, the Iraqis gave Lesley Stahl of CBS News access to an Iraqi prison to interview Yasin for a segment on 60 Minutes where Yasin appeared in prison pajamas and handcuffs. The Iraqis stated they had held Yasin prisoner on the outskirts of Baghdad since 1994.[4] Yasin has not been seen or heard from since the 2002 prison interview.”
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Rahman_Yasin

    AMAZING!

    Liked by 5 people

  2. Lucille says:

    Stellars…have a blessed Sunday!

    Beautiful spots around the world to visit….

    Summer in Basalt Canyon, Iceland…

    Summer in Lauterbrunnen, Valley of 72 Waterfalls, Switzerland…https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7c/24/a9/7c24a95aed309f7a807ac8a40736cd0a.jpg

    The Mission Mountains, Montana…
    “Summer Evening in Montana” by Darren White 

    (Photographer’s Description:  ‘A lone barn at the base of the Mission Mountains in Montana as the sunlight breaks through a thick cloud behind me to light up the barn.’)

    Springtime in The Atacama Desert, Chile…

    Liked by 4 people

  3. Lucille says:

    Summertime in The Atacama Desert at the El Tatio Geysers…

    Atacama Desert Top Attractions (with map and photos)
    https://www.onewayticket.team/atacama-desert-top-attractions/

    Not sure why the photo of Switzerland didn’t show up in the above post. Here it is again (I hope):

    Liked by 4 people

    • Sharon says:

      Such beautiful photos. I’d like to go there, please. Especially that barn in Montana…..

      Liked by 3 people

      • WeeWeed says:

        I thought about you when I saw that pic. Mornin’ Sharon!

        Liked by 2 people

        • Sharon says:

          Mornin’ Weed.

          During our sons’ young teen years, when we would be driving across Utah or Wyoming headed for Montana, we would regularly see some house or old barn sitting in the middle of some empty field sort of looking just like that photo….they got into the habit of pointing those dear buildings out by saying, “Look! There’s another used barn!” Any old building like that has memories by the thousands that it will never tell.

          A favorite observation/memory from our 18 years in Minnesota: one of the most highly treasured ways of finishing off a rec room or den was to use old barn wood. Our entire basement in our 100 year old house had been refinished with it when that house was dragged across the fields from a neighboring property and installed over a newly dug basement a couple of decades prior to our arrival.

          Liked by 3 people

      • Lucille says:

        Isn’t that lovely! I’d also like to be walking up the street in Lauterbrunnen. So peaceful and charming.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. geoffg12 says:

    For a more complete and compelling story of the 1993 bombing of the WTC, see the “Man Who Knew” ; a Frontline production about FBI Special Agent John O’Neill. He was head of antiterrorism efforts in NYC. He went to Pakistan to capture Yusef. Later, he was run out of the Bureau by Louis Frei and crew. He was hired as Head of Security for the WTC and was killed being a hero on 9/11/2001. Makes you weep.

    Liked by 5 people

  5. WeeWeed says:

    Mornin’ y’all! Our illustrious media overlords…

    Liked by 5 people

  6. WeeWeed says:

    Louisiana critters…..

    Liked by 5 people

  7. czarina33 says:

    Mornin’ all ya’all! Humid, foggy, 60’s heading for 80’s today. Going to a pop-up restaurant event today. The invite came from a Filipino friend, and the food will be Filipino & Hawaiian desserts; I will fill you in later.

    Liked by 4 people

  8. texan59 says:

    Mornin’, kids. Coffee’s up. Back in the Hillz for a few days at el Gordito!

    Liked by 3 people

  9. texan59 says:

    Our Favorite Sunday Columnist takes a look at a couple train wrecks and other calumny over the last few weeks. Quick and easy read this morning.

    https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2023/02/the_duke_is_in_the_altogether.html

    Liked by 4 people

    • czarina33 says:

      Can’t wait for Rosanne to return.

      Liked by 4 people

    • WeeWeed says:

      Lol – “odious grifters”……

      Liked by 3 people

      • Lucille says:

        Good afternoon, Stella! Never having seen “South Park” before, if this vid is an example of their work, I just may tune in again. Hilarious and on-the-money!

        There are a number of funny/serious/revelatory YT channels on these two grifters. Though I haven’t read Harry’s bio, those who have also have come up with lists of his many lies, misunderstandings, and unintended revelations about his deteriorating mental condition, though he thinks of it as “his truth.” His paranoia is exacerbated by being married to a narcissistic sociopath who has provably lied about most everything, past and present.

        One YT proprietor is a lawyer from Australia who started out as a big fan of Meghan and Harry, separately and as a couple. Until she started checking into the truth of the grifting pair, that is. Now she uses her courtroom brain and manner to debunk what they are trying to sell to the world.

        See a funny short vid bring a tiny bit of truth to Meg’s lying world, apparently using previous interview audio of Meg’s….
        Exposing Meghan Markle In Less Than Two Minutes

        Liked by 4 people

    • Lucille says:

      Good day, Texan! Excellent overview on this pair by Clarice. Thanks for posting!

      Liked by 2 people

    • Lucille says:

      Not to belabor the point…well, maybe a little…another YT channel vid skewering the Harkles….

      Harry And Meghan Meltdown! New Facts! South Park WINS!
      George the Giant Slayer – Posted 2-26-23

      Liked by 1 person

  10. texan59 says:

    I don’t care who ya’ are. This is funny right here. Stair lift company pokes fun at Brain-Freeze Brandon.

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/02/stairlift_company_mocks_biden_falling_up_the_stairs_in_their_latest_advertisement.html

    Liked by 5 people

  11. texan59 says:

    I’ve been as hard as anyone on some of these ungrateful young’uns over the last few years, but a story pops up like this one and helps to remind us that there are still a lot of good ones. Kids raise over $270,000 for 80 year-old man forced back to work to pay his rent.

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/02/high_school_students_raise_260000_for_an_elderly_janitor_forced_out_of_retirement_due_to_rising_costs.html

    Liked by 6 people

  12. Sharon says:

    Drove up to Oregon City yesterday to visit and have dinner with son and his wife. Good day all around. Never got out of the mid-30s.

    On 99E en route, there is an area where sheer rock cliffs (deteriorating rock cliffs) rise about 50-75 flat against the highway–obviously blasted out when the road was constructed along the Willamette River. Because the rock is degraded, they have installed top-to-bottom chain mesh, attached to the face of the rock by huge spikes, to prevent the inevitable falling rocks from falling into traffic.

    The icicles hanging off the face of that cliff/mesh were about 12 feet long and about 6-8 inches across. Biggest icicles I’ve seen since leaving Montana about 60 years ago.

    Liked by 6 people

  13. Stella says:

    Wonder if this is true. The way things have been going, anything is believable.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Stella says:

    Scott Adams has been canceled. He took a very bold step and severely criticized the black community. This is his punishment.

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/02/dilbert_creator_scott_adams_is_the_latest_to_be_canceled.html

    USAToday announced that it would stop publishing Adams’s “Dilbert” cartoon because the people running the paper “lead with inclusion and strive to maintain a respectful and equitable environment for the diverse communities we serve nationwide.”

    Cleveland’s Plain Dealer newspaper also decided not to publish any of Adams’s cartoons.

    John Hiner of MLive Media in Michigan wrote in an editorial, “We will work quickly to find a replacement that will entertain you and not violate basic standards of decency and respect for others.”

    Many other outlets followed and did away with Adams.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Sharon says:

    “…not violate basic standards of decency and respect for others”

    Maybe that replacement entity will have decency and respect toward whites as well. Or maybe not.

    Several months ago, I watched a portion of one game involving the Seahawks. Not too far in, I saw (couldn’t miss) the big block letters in the end zone which were repeatedly and perfectly framed in the camera setting: END RACISM.

    I found their contact info and sent a brief email: “Does this include racism against whites?” Never heard back.

    They sure don’t like when their own rationale is thrown back in their direction….don’t like it one bit.

    I saw Dilbert’s tweet, sans reactions, early in the day. I thought it was a perfectly reasoned decision, and well-expressed, on his part. Who wants to be part of a hate group.

    Liked by 5 people

  16. auscitizenmom says:

    Afternoon All. Made it to church this morning. My kids are still sick with colds. So I didn’t get to see them again. It was about 17* this morning and started snowing when I got back from church. Well, sort of. It is coming down, but you almost have to be standing out in it to know it is snowing and now it is 39*. Does this mean winter is over? Okay, that was a joke.

    I’m trying to catch up on the news. Most of it is ridiculous. I keep looking for some hope, though. Have a nice Sunday.

    Liked by 3 people

  17. Lucille says:

    Say a prayer for Viktor Orban and his peace-loving government….

    Will Hungary Be Vindicated Again?
    By Matthew Schmitz Feb 24, 2023

    In a Europe at war, Hungary stands nearly alone in calling for peace.

    https://www.theamericanconservative.com/will-orban-be-vindicated-again/

    Liked by 4 people

  18. Lucille says:

    HOMELESS WITH CANCER – WE FOUND JACK
    Posted 2-26-23 by Travis Doodles

    Liked by 1 person

    • auscitizenmom says:

      I wonder how he beat the cancer? Was it the lack of being poisoned by drugs? I just wonder.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Sharon says:

        What “poisons” are you referring to, Aus? I know that chemo treatments are toxic to the body, in a certain sense. That’s why they work, because they are also toxic to the cancer cells if they work as intended.

        Fifteen months of chemo saved my life in 2016/17, even as I had neighbors telling me it was going to kill me (which was so uplifting!). And I understand that personal experiences may shape individual opinions, just as they did in my case..

        My specific question is: what does the phrase “poisoned by drugs” refer to?

        Liked by 1 person

        • auscitizenmom says:

          I have watched people go thru it. One dose of chemo killed my cousin. And, that was what killed him. I know some people go thru it and survive but I have seen people who were tortured for years and then die.

          Liked by 1 person

          • Sharon says:

            I’ve been very fortunate actually, in a weird way, I guess. I’ve had a lot of family members die from cancer (close to 20 if I count aunts and uncles, and most when there no treatments offered at all)but none like what you describe. That is hard.

            Liked by 1 person

          • Stella says:

            Chemo, like any medical procedure has risks. My friend had a terrible bout with shingles, then a life threatening clotting in her veins. Nevertheless, she was cured of her cancer and is now healthy. I’m sorry that your cousin died as a result. I am sure that there will be a breakthrough on cancer treatment, and chemo will no longer be used, but for now it has saved lives.

            Like

      • Lucille says:

        What a difference in Jack’s appearance! After treatment, leukemia often goes into remission. That doesn’t mean the person is actually “cured” because it can come back. Then it will be on to the next round of treatment. I don’t know if there is a maintenance program for leukemia once it goes into remission.

        Btw, I’m pretty sure the young barber you see at the end is Travis. God bless him!

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Gary says:

    I knew the chemist they tricked into helping build the bomb, the blind sheik lived literally on the block behind where I am typing from and I pass what was the rental agency where they rented the van every morning just as I did this morning, it’s a car dealership now.

    As I call it, “beautiful scenic downtown Jersey City”

    Liked by 2 people

  20. czarina33 says:

    History becomes a mundane part of life.

    Like

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