From: "Robert G Lewis" 


"Jeff Shultz"  wrote in message
news:pan.2006.01.17.15.14.54.932883{at}shultzinfosystems.com...
> On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 11:17:36 +0100, Phil Payne wrote:
>
>> http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/story?id=1499905
>>
>> "In one New Year's Eve transaction at a Target store in Hemet, Calif.,
>> 150
>> disposable tracfones were purchased. Suspicious store employees notified
>> police, who called in the FBI, law enforcement sources said."
>>
>> One guy buys 150 disposable cellphones?  Hmmm.
>>
>> If you're looking for terrorist threats in Iraq, it's entirely possible
>> you're looking in the wrong place.
>>
>> BTW - it's not the phone - it's the SIM card.  Thousands were stolen
>> recently in one raid, and sophisticated individuals can reprogramme cards
>> with different numbers anyway.
>
> It might be noted that these were purchased just _after_ the NYT blew the
> lid on the NSA surveilance program.
>
> That is why such things are classified, people.... because the loss of
> them may cause significant damage to national security.
>
> More complete coverage (including the identifcation of some of the
> purchasers to suspected terrorist cells):
> http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004278.htm
>

In the Midland Story, linked to in the article

However Vanderland said Thursday after the ABC report aired that assertions
of a connection between a terror cell and the men who attempted to purchase
cell phones from a Midland Wal-Mart were invalid.


"There is no known link or demonstrated link or any other kind of link
at this point between the people here and any terror cell," he said.


ABC's online report did note, "ABC News has been unable to corroborate
the information in the police report."



I find it amusing that people who think the terrorists are sharp enough to
reprogram cell phones and use them as detonators are too stupid to realize
the United States has spent billions over the years to monitor
communications, that they only found out when the NYT ran a story. I'd say
that's a bit of a disconnect.

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