Will the 2004 Election Be Called Off? Why Three Out of Four Experts Predict a
Terrorist Attack by November
by Maureen Farrell
On Dec. 31, 2003, New York Times columnist and former Nixon speech writer
William Safire offered his standard New Year's predictions. This time, however, one
item stood out. In addition to speculating on everything from which country would next
"feel the force of U.S. liberation" to who would win the best picture Oscar, Safire
predicted that "the 'October surprise' affecting the U.S. election" would be "a major
terror attack in the United States." [Salt Lake Tribune]
While such speculation is hardly worth a trip to the duct tape store, when
combined with repeated assaults to our democratic process and troublesome assertions
from noteworthy sources, it warrants further investigation.
In Nov. 2003, you might recall, Gen. Tommy Franks told Cigar Aficionado magazine
that a major terrorist attack (even one that occurred elsewhere in the Western world),
would likely result in a suspension of the U.S. Constitution and the installation of a
military form of government. "[A] terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event
somewhere in the Western world -- it may be in the United States of America -- [would
cause] our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize our
country in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing event," he
said. [NewsMax.com]
Right around the same time, former Clinton administration official David
Rothkopf made similarly distressing observations. In a Washington Post op-ed entitled,
"Terrorist Logic: Disrupt the 2004 Election," he described a meeting in which nearly
75 percent of the professional participants (characterized as "serious people, not
prone to hysteria or panic") also foresaw another terrorist attack occurring on
American soil before the next election. "Recently, I co-chaired a meeting hosted by
CNBC of more than 200 senior business and government executives, many of whom are
specialists in security and terrorism related issues," he wrote. "Almost
three-quarters of them said it was likely the United States would see a major
terrorist strike before the end of 2004." [Washington Post]
Saying that "history suggests that striking during major elections is an
effective tool for terrorist groups," Rothkopf explained why terrorists will most
likely target us soon. And though he and Safire made these observations months before
terrorists changed Spain's political landscape, they were not alone in thinking along
such lines. "Even before the bombings in Madrid, White House officials were worrying
that terrorists might strike the United States before the November elections," USA
Today reported, before commenting on how terrorists could "try the same tactics in the
United States to create fear and chaos." [USA Today]
The New York Times also reported on the possibility that Al Qaeda would try to
"influence the outcome of the election" by striking U.S. oil refineries. "The Federal
Bureau of Investigation has warned the Texas oil industry of potential attacks by Al
Qaeda on pipelines and refineries near the time of the November presidential
election," the Times reported. [New York Times]
MSNBC, CNN and other news organizations also chimed in, raising concerns about
this summer's political conventions. "In the wake of what happened in Madrid, we have
to be concerned about the possibility of terrorists attempting to influence elections
in the United States by committing a terrorist act," FBI Director Robert Mueller told
CNN. "Quite clearly, there will be substantial preparations for each of the
conventions." [CNN]
Right-wing columnists and pundits have since (surprise, surprise) tried to
capitalize on such fears. "If a terrorist group attacked the U.S. three days before an
election, does anyone doubt that the American electorate would rally behind the
president or at least the most aggressively antiterror party?" David Brooks opined in
the New York Times on March 16, [Libertypost.org] before Richard Clarke revealed that
the Clinton administration was actually more "aggressively anti-terror" than the
bumbling Bushes. (Could that be why the Bush administration refuses to turn over
thousands of pages of the nearly 11,000 files on the Clinton administration's
antiterrorism efforts?)
Sean Hannity twisted things further. "If we are attacked before our election
like Spain was, I am not so sure that we should go ahead with the election," he
reportedly said. "We had better make plans now because it's going to happen."
And, of course, what usurpation of democracy would be complete without Rush
Limbaugh weighing in? "Do [the terrorists] bide their time and wait, or do they try to
replicate their success in Spain here in America before our election?" Limbaugh asked,
before revealing how "titans of industry," and "international business people (who do
not outsource, by the way)" were "very, very, very concerned" that one true party
forever rule the Fatherland.
"They all were seeking from me reassurance that the White House was safe this
year, that John Kerry would not win," Limbaugh said. "Who do you think the terrorists
would rather have in office in this country -- socialists like those in Spain as
personified by John Kerry and his friends in the Democratic Party, or George W. Bush?"
Saying that a pre-election terrorist attack is not a question of "if" but
"when," Limbaugh concluded that should anyone but Bush occupy the White House, the
terrorists will have won. [RushLimbaugh.com]
Given the bizarre mind-melding between the government and media and the
Soviet-style propagandizing that's been taking place, one has to wonder: Is there is
any significance in the fact that Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and David Brooks are all
beating the same tom-tom? As former White House insider Richard Clarke recently told
Jon Stewart, "[There are] dozens of people, in the White House. . . writing talking
points, calling up conservative columnists, calling up talk radio hosts, telling them
what to say. It's interesting. All the talk radio people, the right wing talk radio
people across the country, saying the exact same thing, exactly the same words."
Stewart noted that a 24-hour news network was also making observations that were
"remarkably similar to what the White House was saying."
Even though Andrew Card admitted that "from a marketing point of view, you don't
introduce new products in August," in May, 2002, Wayne Madsen and John Stanton
revealed that the government's marketing preparations for the war were already
underway, with U.S. Air Force scientists consulting with CNN "to figure out how to
gather and disseminate information." [CounterPunch.org]
In an article entitled, "When the War Hits Home: U.S. Plans for Martial Law,
Tele-Governance and the Suspension of Elections," Madsen and Stanton delved into the
more frightening aspects of what might be in store. "One incident, one aircraft
hijacked, a 'dirty nuke' set off in a small town, may well prompt the Bush regime,
let's say during the election campaign of 2003-2004, to suspend national elections for
a year while his government ensures stability," they wrote. "Many closed door meetings
have been held on these subjects and the notices for these meetings have been closely
monitored by the definitive www.cryptome.org."
To make matters worse, if martial law is imposed, Air Force General Ralph E.
Eberhart will be able to blast through Posse Comitatus and deploy troops to America's
streets. Gen. Eberhart, you might recall, is the former Commander of NORAD, which was
in charge of protecting America's skies on Sept. 11. But instead of being scrutinized
for NORAD's massive failures, he was promoted and now heads the Pentagon's Northern
Command. And, as military analyst William M. Arkin explained, "It is only in the case
of 'extraordinary' domestic operations that would enable Gen. Eberhart to bring in
"intelligence collectors, special operators and even full combat troops" to bear. What
kind of situation would have to occur to grant Eberhart "the far-reaching authority
that goes with 'extraordinary operations'"? Nothing. He already has that authority.
[Los Angeles Times]
Which brings us to the inevitable (and most important) question. How primed is
the American public to accept suspended elections, martial law, or whatever else the
White House decides to "market"?
Consider, for a moment, what an invaluable propaganda conduit the media was
during the lead up to war in Iraq -- and just how weird things have become since.
Howard Stern insists he was targeted by Clear Channel and the FCC after speaking out
against George Bush [BuzzFlash.com]; former White House Aide Anna Perez (who worked
under Condoleezza Rice and served as former first lady Barbara Bush's press secretary)
is slated to become chief communications executive for NBC; and MSNBC featured a story
entitled, "White House: Bush Misstated Report on Iraq" on its Web site only to have it
disappear down the Memory Hole in the course of a few hours. [TheMemoryHole.org]
Moreover, last year's Clear Channel sponsorship of pro-war/pro-Bush rallies was
so Orwellian, that former Federal Communications Commissioner Glen Robinson remarked,
"I can't say that this violates any of a broadcaster's obligations, but it sounds like
borderline manufacturing of the news." [Chicago Tribune] Meanwhile, the mysterious
Karen Ryan (of "In Washington, I'm Karen Ryan reporting" fakery fame
[Journalism.NYU.edu]) was featured in the New York Times. "Federal investigators are
scrutinizing television segments in which the Bush administration paid people to pose
as journalists, praising the benefits of the new Medicare law. . . , " the Times
reported.
Need more proof that something is amiss? As of Feb. 5, 2004, CBS News was still
reporting that one of the hijackers' passports was "found on the street minutes after
the plane he was aboard crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center," [CBS]
and for far too long, pundits have taken to spreading White House rumors without
checking facts --while denying any White House connection once these rumors prove
false.
And most baffling of all, whenever anyone does tell the truth, a bevy of
Stepford Citizens reveal that they'd rather hear lies. After Richard Clarke spilled
the Bush beans on 60 Minutes, for example, the mail was overwhelmingly negative --
with some writing that Clarke should be tried for treason and others asking CBS, "Why
can't you be 'fair and balanced' like FOX?" (Perhaps those viewers are denizens of the
Free Republic Web site, where posters actually pondered the question: "Should the US
have elections if attacked?" [FreeRepublic.com])
The most bizarre example of the White House's dysfunctional domination of the
media, however, occurred last week -- with the surreal controversy involving David
Letterman and CNN. In case you missed it, on Monday, Letterman showed a video clip
which featured a bored, fidgety kid standing behind George W. Bush, who was giving a
speech in Orlando. The next day, CNN also ran that clip, but anchor Daryn Kagan
returned from commercial break to inform viewers, "We're being told by the White House
that the kid, as funny as he was, was edited into that video." Later, a second CNN
anchor said that the boy was at the rally, but wasn't necessarily standing behind
George W. Bush.
"That is an out and out 100 percent absolute lie. The kid absolutely was there,
and he absolutely was doing everything we pictured via the videotape," Letterman said
on Tuesday.
"Explanations continued through Wednesday and Thursday, with Letterman referring
to "indisputable" and "very high-placed source" who told him that the White House had,
in fact, called CNN. "This is where it gets a little hinky," Letterman said on
Thursday, rehashing the back and forth nonsense that played like a bad SNL sketch. "We
were told that the White House didn't call CNN. That was the development the other
day. So I'm upset because I smell a conspiracy. I think something's gone haywire. I
see this as the end of democracy as we know it; another one of them Watergate kind of
deals. And so, I'm shooting my mouth off and right in the middle of the show, I'm
handed a note that says 'No no no no, the White House did not contact CNN. The White
House did NOT call CNN.' So now I feel like "Oh, I guess I'm gonna do heavy time.'
"Ok, so now it gets a little confusing. So, the next day I'm told, 'Oh, No. The
White House DID contact CNN. . . . They WERE contacted by the White House. They were
trying to SHUT CNN up because they didn't want to make these people look ridiculous
because they were big Republican fund raisers and you know, I'm going to disappear
mysteriously. In about eight months, they'll find my body in the trunk of a rental car.
"So now, we're told, despite what everyone says. . . that this high-ranking,
high placed unidentified source says, "No No The White House did call them."
Although he displayed his customary wit and joked throughout his explanation,
unless Letterman's acting skills extend far beyond those displayed in Cabin Boy,
there's no doubt that Letterman was serious when he asserted that "despite what
everyone says" the White House was involved in this fiasco.
Meanwhile, CNN apologized and accepted the blame, letting the White House off
the hook.
While the Letterman episode is a lesson in abject absurdity, nearly two years
ago, Madsen and Stanton warned that following a major terrorist attack, seditious web
sites would be blocked (something that is already happening to howardstern.com) and
"the broadcast media would similarly be required to air only that which has been
approved by government censors." (How will we know the difference?)
Though it seems surreal that people are actually wagering that another terrorist
attack will occur on our soil by November (and it's even more bizarre that on-air
personalities are calling for the suspension of elections), the fact that this
un-elected gang who barreled into power and forever changed the course of a nation, is
so completely untrustworthy makes the situation even more disturbing. On Sept 11,
2003, William Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News asked, "Why don't we have the
answers to these 9/11 questions?" [The Philadelphia Daily News] before addressing a
variety of concerns, which, thanks to the 9/11 commission, are finally making their
way into our national consciousness. And now that another whistle blower, FBI
translator Sibel Edmonds, has come forward, saying, "'I saw papers that show US knew
al-Qaeda would attack cities with airplanes," [The Independent] it's clear we've been
under attack for quite some time. [BuzzFlash.com]
But before the Madrid bombings; before Richard Clarke's revelations; before more
whistleblowers peeked out from under the muck, David Rothkopf made everything
oh-so-clear. Writing about the "military officers, policymakers, scientists,
researchers and others who have studied [terrorism] for a long time," he explained how
the majority of experts he spoke to not only predicted that the pre-election assaults
would "be greater than those of 9/11," but that any act of terrorism would work in the
President's favor. "It was the sense of the group that such an attack was likely to
generate additional support for President Bush," he wrote.
Citing how "assaults before major votes have [traditionally] benefited
candidates who were seen as tougher on terrorists," Rothkopf catalogued events in
Israel, Russia, Turkey and Sri Lanka before explaining the symbiotic relationship
between terrorists and hardliners. "So why would [terrorists] want to help
[hardliners] win?" he asked. "Perhaps because terrorists see the attacks as a win-win.
They can lash out against their perceived enemies and empower the hard-liners, who in
turn empower them as terrorists. How? Hard-liners strike back more broadly, making it
easier for terrorists as they attempt to justify their causes and their methods."
William Safire's and David Rothkopf's and three out of four experts'
speculations aside, there are those who believe that the Bible predicts the ultimate
battle between good and evil and that George Bush is doing God's work. But then again,
the Bible also says that "the truth will make you free."
And according to Bible Code author Michael Drosnin, there is another, more
mystical way to look at Biblical text, and he contends that the Bible also predicts,
you guessed it, that there will be another terrorist attack in America in 2004.
Personally, I don't give much credence to predictions, but when this many people
peer into the crystal ball and see Al Qaeda gearing up for our presidential election,
I take note -- especially given what's transpired since the last stolen election.
[EricBlumrich.com]
So, what the heck. If others can do it, I can, too. So I'll go out on a limb a
make a prediction of my own: If the truth continues to seep out about the way the Bush
administration has failed us, suspending the election may be the only way Bush can
win.
My darkest fear is that G.W.'s handlers believe this, too.
* * *
BuzzFlash Note: We're not sure what to make of this, but a BuzzFlash Reader who
works for the U.S. Government recently sent us this note: "When I attempted to
purchase a [BuzzFlash] premium on-line, I have received the message from our 'computer
police' that this site is considered a HATE site and I am not allowed to purchase this
material online using government computers." Go figure. If anyone can verify this
information, we'd be exceptionally grateful.
BACK TO TOP
Maureen Farrell is a writer and media consultant who specializes in helping
other writers get television and radio exposure.
The Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy"
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
"avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie"
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