Can you believe this outrageous headline?

Question

FBI: Extremists driving school buses
By Lara Jakes Jordan, Associated Press Writer | March 16, 2007

WASHINGTON --Suspected members of extremist groups have signed up as school bus drivers in the United States, counterterror officials said Friday, in a cautionary bulletin to police. An FBI spokesman said, "Parents and children have nothing to fear."

Asked about the alert notice, the FBI's Rich Kolko said, "There are no threats, no plots and no history leading us to believe there is any reason for concern," although law enforcement agencies around the country were asked to watch out for kids' safety.
The bulletin, parts of which were read to The Associated Press, did not say how often foreign extremists have sought to acquire licenses to drive school buses, or where. It was sent Friday as part of what officials said was a routine FBI and Homeland Security Department advisory to local law enforcement.

It noted "recent suspicious activity" by foreigners who either drive school buses or are licensed to drive them, according to a counterterror official.

Foreigners under recent investigation include "some with ties to extremist groups" who have been able to "purchase buses and acquire licenses," the bulletin says.

But Homeland Security and the FBI "have no information indicating these individuals are involved in a terrorist plot against the homeland," it says. The memo also notes: "Most attempts by foreign nationals in the United States to acquire school bus licenses to drive them are legitimate."

Kolko said the bulletin was sent merely as an educational tool to help local police identify and respond to any suspicious activity.

One counterterror official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the government felt it was likely that the foreigners investigated were merely employed as bus drivers, and did not intend to use them as part of any terror plot.

A second official said the government felt it prudent that the backgrounds of all those who come in contact with school children be checked.

Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the government has no credible information to suggest terrorists are "involved in buying school buses or seeking licenses to drive them." He said there was no indication of any immediate threat to the country.

****The article ulitmately says the exact opposite of the headline! Unbelievable!***

Answer 1

Clearly, we are NOT prepared to protect our children.

Not only do "extremists" apply to drive a school bus, but they (and other categories of scary people like "sex offenders" can drive an ice cream truck, become a scout leader, a coach, a teacher or priest or babysitter and may have an opportunity to harm children. The truth is we are NOT able to protect our children.

I agree with much of the analysis of Mr. Gaubatz (see below) and somewhat agree with his conclusions. However, I think one thing that he left out was that it is the parents' responsibility to become familiar with all the caretakers of their children.

According to Mr. Gaubatz, the FBI statement was actually released in 2006, however, it was just made public. The following is excerpted his statement.


His phone and email are listed so you can contact him if you wish.....

Paul “Dave” Gaubatz , Director, Intelligence & Counter-terrorism Studies, Division of Military Affairs
Direct Telephone: [phone]
SANE General Telephone: [phone]
SANE Facsimile: +1.801.760.3901
Email: [e-mail]
[e-mail]

“Our Children are in Danger”

On 18 Mar 2006, the FBI released a statement to the media advising:

o- Extremists are driving school buses
o- There is no need to panic
o- There are no indications the extremists who drive the school buses are involved in a terrorist plot against our homeland

The above points must be clarified:

o- The first point should read, “ISLAMIC extremist are driving school buses”. When the majority of main stream media wrote their headlines, most left ISLAMIC out. Why? Because the main stream media knew they had to at least mention the FBI release, but they did not want to give it too much attention.

The main stream media will also follow in the shadows of the FBI by saying they do not want to cause panic in the American public by suggesting we are NOT prepared to protect our children. Fact is we are NOT prepared.

o- The second point made by the FBI is correct. America should not panic. Instead we should act in a calm, methodical, and professional manner and inform Americans of the real threat our children are facing from Al Qaeda and the other Islamic terrorist groups.

American children deserve no less than to have their protectors (American citizens) take immediate steps to protect them from terrorists who will have no second thoughts about using a school bus as a detonator in a suicide mission.

o- The third and final point: “There are no indications the extremists who drive the school buses are involved in a terrorist plot against our homeland”. [ per Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke]

This one deserves the Bill O’Reilly award for most ridiculous statement of the day. Any Islamic radical the FBI has identified as an extremist is a danger to our children. All Islamic extremist want to kill Americans (men, women, and children). They have repeatedly stated as an organization they want to destroy America. Osama Bin Laden, other al Qaeda members, and many Islamic terrorist groups continue to tell America they want to destroy us, and the best way to get at the heart of Americans is through our children. Why do we continue to ignore these remarks? Why does any American, rather a Democrat, Republican, or someone in between not want to take extensive and non politically correct measures to protect the ones we love the most?

The American Sleeper recently printed one of my articles on this subject. http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/02/sleeper_cells_in_the_united_st.html

I have never been accused of being politically correct. I will provide you the truth based on facts I obtained during my 15.5 years as a Federal Agent, and subsequent during the last 4 years through my interviews of Muslims and non- Muslims.

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Mr. Gaubatz has the expertise to give sound advice.
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Answer 2

Because they want you to read the article. Must have been a slow news day. Officials must be eternally vigilant to deter any group or individual from harming our children. This appears to be just what it is-a heads up to law enforcement to connect the dots if this particular threat would ever materialize. A whole lot of worry over something that has not or may never even happen.

Answer 3

I believe this article and the one I saw this morning about how all cities should be on the lookout for dirty bombs in their towns is just misinformation put out by the current administration in order to justify its actions.

Answer 4

Yes, it annoys the heck out of me. "Worry, but don't worry." What's the point of such double-talk? Just makes it sound like more BS.

Answer 5

since when does the FBI allow extremist in their ranks, arent they supposedly well screened

Answer 6

Wonder if that's what they said on 9-10-01.

Answer 7

I believe that story. They just want everybody to think that everything is under control to keep people calmed down.

Answer 8

Im sure as hell glad that my kids don't ride the bus!

Answer 9

just relax ,have a Martini

Answer 10

and your point is?