Media Circus: police could have arrested the man sooner; they took part in his suspected terrorist act.
(PORTLAND, Ore.) - An alleged plot to detonate a bomb at the Pioneer Square Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Portland Friday was foiled by FBI agents and Portland Police officers. A close examination of the facts raises concerns that the story is simply conditioning to prepare Americans for more military conflict in the Middle east.
Vehicle based IED's (Improvised Explosive Device) are known in Iraq and Afghanistan as 'VBID's' and they are among the deadliest bombs. The VBID can be maneuvered into very busy areas before being blown up; they are a frightening thought.
Portland Police Bureau Chief Michael Reese stated, "This threat was very real but at no point was the public ever in danger. The cooperation of various law enforcement agencies was critical in making this case. I appreciate the partnership we have with the FBI and I'm very proud of the Portland Police Bureau's role in this investigation. The Portland Police Bureau works to maintain the highest level of safety for our community and this case stands as an example of our commitment to the people we serve."
That sure sounds reassuring, but I wouldn't take it to the bank. Like recent similar stories, the 'official' account is missing a few key ingredients. Yet it makes great reading for the average citizen who believes there are dangerous 'Muslims' lurking around the corners of their living room.
It has all of the catch phrases:
The suspect's name is "Mohamed".
He allegedly yelled "Allah Akbar" when arrested.
He supposedly has links to al Queda.
Evidence is sealed and the investigation will never reveal many details.
The FBI informant doesn't use their name.
Interestingly, the alleged crime never involved any danger to the public.
The suspect is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia. 19-year old Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a resident of Corvallis, Oregon, was arrested Friday in connection with the alleged plan to detonate a vehicle bomb at the Christmas tree lighting event.
Police say Mohamud attempted to remotely detonate what were "believed to be" explosives in a van that was parked near the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The device was in fact inert and the public was never at risk, police say.
I have been reading other accounts of this event and it is clear that the anti-Muslim lobby in the US scored big with this story.
FOX News doesn't hold back at all, stating:
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